Victor Aviles

Victor Aviles: Empowered by Per Scholas to Master Cloud Technology

Victor Aviles, an alumnus of the Per Scholas Baltimore AWS re/Start cohort, perfectly embodies the journey from professional curiosity to technology mastery. Victor’s career began in an adjacent field in software sales, but his growing interest in hands-on technology led him to seek a transformative opportunity.

A graduate of the University of Delaware, Victor had been working for a software reseller, handling Salesforce licenses for government agencies. However, the pull of a more technical role was strong.

“My curiosity for technology just came to me,” Victor recalled. This curiosity led to a bold move. After a simple internet search, he found the Per Scholas AWS re/Start program. “I decided to quit my cell job and go into Per Scholas,” he stated. This decision paid off quickly, landing him his first technology role just eight months later.

The Rigor of Foundational Training

Victor’s success was built on the rigorous, hands-on training provided by Per Scholas and its foundational partnership with the Cisco Networking Academy.

The training began with crucial prerequisites: “I had to do the Linux fundamentals from Cisco, their Cisco Networking Academy. That was my first time honestly touching any systems like that,” Victor explained. This necessary groundwork prepared him for the intense AWS curriculum.

The AWS re/Start program immersed him in core concepts through hands-on practice. The program covered a variety of domains. This demanding phase culminated in an industry-recognized certification: Victor successfully earned his AWS Cloud Practitioner certification. 

Continued Learning: Embracing Technical Depth

Victor’s engagement with the Cisco Networking Academy didn’t end with the prerequisite course. Driven by a competitive spirit cultivated from his background in soccer, he pursued an alumni course in ethical hacking to continue expanding his skillset.

He spoke highly of the platform’s focus on practical application, emphasizing how the rigor of the labs gave him exposure to a new world of technology.

“That was completely like a new world for me. I had never touched any of that technology or done any of the labs that [Per Scholas and Cisco] provided, which were great.” He later added, “It’s very hands-on, and that was something that I liked.”

A More Fulfilling Trajectory

Now working in a technology role near Philadelphia, Victor has found a professional life that aligns with his passion. While he’s open to various opportunities, his future focus is clear: “Honestly, I’m leaning more towards cloud technology. That’s the goal.”

The greatest benefit of his journey with Per Scholas is the profound satisfaction he now finds in his day-to-day work: “It’s just the field that I’m working in; I am liking it way more than I was in sales, honestly.”

Victor Aviles strongly encourages anyone with a technological curiosity, especially those looking for a career change, to follow his lead. “I would definitely recommend [Per Scholas’ training], especially for someone who may not know what they actually want to do yet… Anyone who’s curious, I would definitely recommend it.”