Tom Lee

Tom Lee isn’t just a Per Scholas graduate. He’s a “double agent” in the world of career transitions. While most people are looking for a way into tech, Tom is busy building a fortress around his career. 

Before the pandemic, Tom was a staple behind the bar. However, he found that, “[I] was reaching the limits of what bartending could do for me as a career.”

Tom majored in English in college, with a dream of writing and developing video games. He had a foundation in tech, but the industry’s reputation for burnout had soured his interest.

Then came the pandemic. With the world on pause, Tom realized his passion for tech hadn’t died; it just needed a new mission. 

He didn’t want to build games anymore; he wanted a career with stability and a future. When his career coach mentioned Per Scholas Pittsburgh, Tom saw his opening. He dove into the Full Stack Java Developer course, swapped the cocktail shaker for a keyboard, and landed a role as a Junior Software Developer at PNC Bank.

For over two years, Tom lived the developer life. But when tech layoffs of 2023 started hitting the headlines, Tom didn’t wait around. He noticed that while development was his passion, having a full set of tech skills was the only way to stay ahead of the curve.

“I decided I do like development, but I want to round out my skills because I don’t see this type of dynamic changing anytime soon,” Tom explains. 

He headed back to Per Scholas for a second tour of duty—this time in IT Support. Think of it as a tactical retreat to gain more ground. 

By summer, he had his CompTIA A+; by the fall, he was an Application Support Analyst at SoftWriters. He is now a well-rounded tech professional who understands both the “how” of the software and the “why” of the hardware.

Tom finds the programs at Per Scholas hit differently: “As a Black man, I’m always happy to see other Black people in any space that I am. Resources in Black neighborhoods, especially in Pittsburgh, are not always made available or known to us. Seeing that, and watching all of us work together in the classroom—that was a big impact for me.”

For Tom, the true ROI of Per Scholas partner support isn’t just a job placement; it’s the intentionality of bringing high-level tech resources into communities that have historically been locked out of the Steel City tech boom.

Ask Tom about the best part of his career, and he won’t start with the paycheck– though he admits the wage increases have been a bonus. He’ll start with his commute and his calendar. 

In his previous roles, work weighed heavily on his shoulders. Now? “My ability to leave my work at work, come home, and focus on the things I enjoy… that’s been one of the biggest improvements,” Tom comments. 

Additionally, tech has given him the financial flexibility to do things he once thought were impossible: Travel. Take a real vacation. He’s finally able to invest in himself.

This financial empowerment was bolstered by the Per Scholas Zero Percent Loan program, which provided Tom with a transparent, interest-free bridge during his training. For Tom, it was a vital piece of the puzzle that turned a high-pressure career pivot into a manageable personal investment.

If you’re currently in a Per Scholas program and feeling the pressure, Tom has some hard-earned wisdom for you:

• Be a “Forever Learner”: “If you know how to learn, if you have a curious mindset… those are all things that tech rewards.”
• Don’t be a Lone Wolf: Tom credits his success to the TAs and instructors, but also to his peers. “Surround yourself with people who know more than you, as much as you, and less than you. You can learn something from every single person in those categories.”
• The “Whole Person” Mindset: “The only thing that you will regret is not investing in yourself. If this feels like an investment into yourself as a person, then you should do it.”

Tom is now a tech professional with a roadmap, a full toolkit, and—most importantly—the freedom to live his life on his own terms.