IBM and Per Scholas Celebrate National IT Service Day with “Inside the Tech Workforce” Panel

In celebration of National IT Service Day, Per Scholas was honored to host a dynamic virtual panel featuring three distinguished leaders from IBM. Titled “Inside the Tech Workforce,” the event provided our learners and alumni with a rare, “under the hood” look at one of the world’s largest technology companies, and was the final panel of a series from IBM. 

The session served as a powerful reminder of the impact of our long-standing partnership with IBM. By bridging the gap between classroom training and industry reality, events like these empower our community to see themselves not just as participants in the tech economy, but as its future leaders.

Leading Perspectives from the Front Lines of Innovation

The panel featured a cross-section of IBM’s top talent, representing decades of experience and a wide array of technical disciplines. Our community had the privilege of hearing from:

• Jay Overacre (Global IT Transformation Leader, DevIT Services): A 30-year IBM veteran, Jay shared his expertise on leading data center transformations and providing the infrastructure that powers global software development.
• Tamela (Product Owner, AI Content Governance): Highlighting the critical “human” side of tech, Tamela discussed her hybrid role in AI governance and technical writing, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and responsibility in emerging technologies.
• Kurt Koehle (Power Cloud Consultant): With 31 years at IBM and experience working in 23 different countries, Kurt inspired learners with stories of global travel and the evolving landscape of cloud consultancy.

From the intricacies of Cloud Infrastructure and IT Automation to the emerging ethics of AI Content Governance, the speakers provided actionable career advice and shared the personal “why” behind their long-standing careers at IBM.

A Partnership Built on Opportunity

At Per Scholas, we believe that talent is found everywhere, but opportunity is not. Our partnership with IBM is a cornerstone of our mission to change that reality. By volunteering their time and expertise, these IBMers provided more than just information—they provided mentorship and a roadmap for success.

The energy throughout the session was electric, with learners and alumni engaging in a deep-dive Q&A that touched on everything from breaking into UX design to the daily habits that lead to a 30-year career in tech.

Get Involved: Corporate Engagement

We extend our deepest gratitude to Jay, Tamela, and Kurt for their time and transparency. Their contributions help ensure that Per Scholas graduates are not just job-ready, but industry-ready.

Are you interested in bringing your company’s expertise to our learners? We are always looking for corporate partners to host panels, provide mentorship, or lead technical workshops.

To learn more about corporate engagement opportunities and how your team can help shape the future of the tech workforce, please contact Tori Grafeman at tgrafeman@perscholas.org.