Earlier this month, Per Scholas Newark hosted JPMorgan Chase at our campus for an innovative corporate engagement workshop, Unlocking Opportunities in Cybersecurity: Guidance on Building a Successful Career. The event was organized by Per Scholas Newark Advisory Board member Farrah Patterson, who serves as Executive Director for Technology and Cybersecurity Operational Risk at JPMorgan Chase. Fifteen learners in our current Per Scholas Newark cybersecurity cohort benefited from the event.  

Topics covered during the session included Power of Networking, Interview Preparation, Imposter Syndrome, and Elevator Pitches. Speakers shared authentic insights and invaluable tips on the organic way to approach interviews, guidance on mastering interviews with a memorable 30-second introduction, and advice from their personal journeys in technology, which serves as a powerful example of success for women and people of color in cybersecurity. This session afforded the presenters an extraordinary opportunity to give back and connect with future cybersecurity technologists. 

The opportunity to increase equity here in New Jersey, through technology careers, is tremendous. At Per Scholas, we see technology as a tool to unlock potential, and to us, every company is a tech company. One of the major challenges is the lack of representation in tech, meaning individuals who participate in skills-based training, like the training we offer at Per Scholas, could be making a difference! 

“JPMorgan Chase technologists, including our Advisory Board Member Farrah Patterson, understand the importance of diversifying tech,” Per Scholas Newark Managing Director Jessica Zorola stated. “This all leads to growing a technical workforce in the Garden State, and I’m very hopeful that other businesses in need of well-trained tech talent get in touch with Per Scholas.”  

JPMorgan Chase colleagues Shawn McCredie, VP of Recruiting, Cybersecurity, Technology and Controls; Sarah Gentillon, VP of Digital Content Lead; Dan Tutt, Project Execution Associate, Cybersecurity; and Ardis Carlos, VP of Cybersecurity Community Engagement Manager, contributed their talent to help organize the workshop and provided industry insight to our cybersecurity learners. Farrah Patterson recalled how this Cybersecurity workshop was a great opportunity to inspire and guide learners as they prepare to enter the workforce. “We must support these students in achieving their career objectives together,” she said.  

Per Scholas learner Asma Daif Allah reflected, “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the invaluable insights and guidance provided by the JPMorgan Chase & Co. team during the program. It was an amazing opportunity that has equipped me with essential knowledge and skills.” 

If you’re interested in organizing a corporate engagement event with Per Scholas learners at any campus or virtually, please email [email protected]. 

While many companies have mentioned diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a priority, less than half of organizations have a mature DEI strategy in place. Together with TEKsystems, we created a helpful infographic to empower organizations to consider a true commitment to a diversity program from activating a plan, implementing change, and assessing your progress.

Check out our four tips for evaluating your diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy

View and download the full PDF here.

Earlier this month, Per Scholas was proud to attend and present during several sessions at Horizons, Jobs for the Future’s premier national platform for ideas and action that drive equitable economic advancement for all. This year’s theme, “Without Limits” inspired attendees, encouraged collaboration, and jumpstarted solutions for essential work ahead. Per Scholas Chief of Staff Tamara Johnson and Per Scholas Director of Development Kevin Aspegren attended the summit to gain key industry knowledge and insights aligned with Per Scholas’ commitment to unlocking potential for our learners, alumni, communities, companies, and economy.

Per Scholas Chief Development Officer Caitlyn Brazill spoke during a Pre-Session Panel centered on Skills-First Education and Work with leaders from JFF, Franklin Cummings Tech, and Opportunity@Work, encouraging attendees to embrace skills-first learning and hiring and consider the positive impact to advance Black learners and workers.

On the first day of the conference, Regional Senior Vice President Noah Mitchell shared his insight during the Partnering with Employers to Rethink Talent Pipelines Workshop, sponsored by Charles Koch Foundation. Moderated by Andy Tonsing, Director of Postsecondary Education at Stand Together, Noah was joined by Daniel Cervantes, Senior Vice President of Skills for America’s Future to bring participants through a thought exercise to consider innovative ways to build employer partnerships. 

Noah reflected, “The Workshop was energetic, and participants brought really creative approaches to the discussion. The ability to share just one unique way Per Scholas partners with businesses – in rethinking talent pipelines by developing tech apprenticeship programs – was incredible, and I know it sparked ideas of collaboration for the future. When we invest in programs that work, we all win.”

Caitlyn participated in a panel discussion, moderated by Dan Kamins, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships at Comcast, titled “Iteration and Innovation: Expanding Access to Digital Jobs,” joining leaders from AZ Cyber Initiative and Hampton Roads Workforce Council. The session convened practitioners, employers, and training and credential providers to share best practices and strategies to increase the number of Black, indigenous, Latinx, people of color, women, LGBTQIA, and other populations underrepresented within the IT industry. 

Common themes throughout Horizons included Artificial Intelligence, skills-based hiring, the importance of digital skills, equity, and considering what individuals can do “without limits” in hiring, training, developing, and retaining talent. 

JFF Horizons sparked many essential conversations around creating economic equity and advancement for all. Per Scholas was thrilled to attend the conference and even more so to share our insight on unlocking potential within our learners by empowering them with new digital skills and sparking new ways of engaging with employer partners. 

On June 9, Per Scholas Indianapolis hosted its Inaugural Graduation Celebration, highlighting the accomplishments of its first cohort of IT Support learners. The celebration began with a Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting hosted by the Indy Chamber to officially dedicate the Per Scholas Indianapolis campus within Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana. 

Hundreds were in attendance, including funders, partners, employers, and friends and families of the graduates. Twenty ambitious and tenacious  IT Support learners obtained their Per Scholas Completion Certificates and Per Scholas Indianapolis bestowed its first Most Valuable Technologist “MVT” Award, along with its Core Values Award. 

Graduation Ceremony Speakers included:

• Theron Wilson, Per Scholas Indianapolis Managing Director, Emcee
• City-County Councillor Kristin Jones
• Kent Kramer, President and CEO, Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana 
• Plinio Ayala, President and CEO, Per Scholas
• Ali Shepherd, Regional Senior Vice President, Salesforce
• Jarrett Moore, External Affairs Manager, Comcast
• Noah Mitchell, Per Scholas Regional Senior Vice President 

In Theron’s closing remarks, he inspired graduates and attendees alike with his words: “Your name will be said in rooms your feet have not yet entered. This is an extraordinary opportunity, and Per Scholas Indianapolis is so honored that you trusted in us to take you on this journey, jumpstarting a life-changing career in technology. Work hard for what belongs to you. Continue to rise to the occasion and always seize the opportunity that’s in front of you. You are meant to be here: this moment is yours. I know the future of tech talent is bright here in Indy because of you.”

We are excited to celebrate the twenty technologists who started their IT Support cohort in March and are now ready to launch thriving tech careers. 

Click here to learn about upcoming training cohorts at Per Scholas Indianapolis!

In May, Per Scholas led an insightful panel discussion about workforce development and training Houston’s future technology workforce at the Ion District during the Ion’s second annual Activation Festival. This dynamic panel brought together industry leaders, experts, and innovators to explore the critical role of skills training and partnerships in building a robust tech industry in our newest city.

Damien Howard , Chief Enterprise Solutions Officer at Per Scholas moderated the conversation featuring Angela Berardi, National Account Manager, Certified Marketplace Diversity Ambassador at TEKsystems; Lavone Jones, Vice President, Human Resources at Comcast; and Janet Pope, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility at Capgemini. The discussion highlighted the latest trends and challenges in the tech industry, the importance of upskilling and reskilling, and best practices for creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive tech workforce. 

We are thrilled to announce that Per Scholas received a $4.5 million grant from Comcast to advance economic opportunity through digital skills building and tech training. This investment will fuel our expansion to three new cities in need of skilled technologists for digital economies and empower more than 10,000 technologists to launch high-growth careers across 15 markets.

“Comcast continually helps Per Scholas unlock potential, building a future of unlimited possibilities,” reflected Plinio Ayala, President and CEO of Per Scholas. “Our partnership is powerful — Comcast is investing in communities, ensuring digital skills are ubiquitous across America, and hiring Per Scholas-trained technologists.”

Read the full press release here.

On May 15, more than 25 leaders from TD Bank volunteered their time and participated in mock interviews with a Cybersecurity Cohort of Per Scholas learners from Atlanta, Newark, and Boston. Corporate volunteerism is critical in Per Scholas’ training and provides an opportunity to connect with business leaders and gain industry insight. 

TD Bank leaders had a chance to give back by helping aspiring technologists improve their communication skills, learn about key technical content, and better understand varied corporate cultures. Volunteers had the opportunity to provide insight on their technical skills, social and emotional intelligence at work, and career pathways through mock interviews. The advice and insight given greatly impacts Per Scholas learners. Through this interaction, learners are able to increase their knowledge about a corporate environment and gain valuable practice speaking with a working technical professional.

To learn how you can volunteer with Per Scholas, reach out to Robert Wilhelm at [email protected].

On May 5th, 37 women technologists graduated from the latest Tech Women in Color cohort at Per Scholas Columbus! They were joined by friends and family, Per Scholas Midwest Regional Senior Vice President Noah Mitchell, and President and CEO Plinio Ayala. 

Attendees heard congratulations and words of forward-looking inspiration from Franklin County Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce; Tonija S. Coverdale, Associate Vice President of Technology Data Management at Nationwide; and Kat Yamaguchi, Programs Director at New Directions Career Center. Before they closed the educational chapter of this journey, each graduate shared “Why” they came to Per Scholas as part of their graduation presentation. We’re delighted to see so many women of color unlocking their potential and heading boldly into the world of IT.

Click here to learn more about the upcoming Tech Women of Color cohort!

Earlier this spring, Per Scholas received $50,000 from the Citizens Philanthropic Foundation for our Per Scholas Alumni Upskilling program, which provides continued support to our alumni after they leave Per Scholas. Focuses of the program include  access to career and financial counseling, upskilling courses, and more. 

This funding was part of a commitment by Citizen Bank’s Citizens Charitable Foundation and Citizens Philanthropic Foundation to grant $350,000 to support technical training and career counseling in the state of New Jersey. Other funding recipients included Greater Newark LISC, Urban League of Essex County, and Year Up New Jersey.

Jessica Zorola, Per Scholas Newark’s Managing Director, was interviewed by NJ Tech Weekly about Per Scholas’ participation in this grant program. “As a result of the investment from the Citizens Philanthropic Foundation, Per Scholas is going to be able to grow our alumni upskilling offerings for individuals here in Newark and the surrounding New York City metro area,” Jessica said. “People who have graduated from Per Scholas want the opportunity to move around in the tech industry, and to qualify to move up the ranks. If you think about careers in tech, they are constantly changing and evolving, so learners need to acquire more industry-recognized certifications, building a little bit more of that skill set to build careers over time.”

Jessica also emphasized the importance of grants like this in helping Per Scholas and other similarly-focused organizations promote equity in tech employment in New Jersey. In an industry that is predominantly white and male, it is important to increase opportunities for female and minority learners to thrive. “When I talk with our learners and alumni, I’m very open and honest about addressing the challenges of this lack of representation,” Jessica told NJ Tech Weekly. “You know, only 4 percent of technologists nationwide identify as women of color like myself.  So, when I have my learners in the classroom and hear their stories, it can feel very impactful and powerful because they are bringing in that representation that is missing in tech.”

Read the full news article here!

On May 25th, Red Nose Day returns for its 9th official year, and Per Scholas is excited and honored to have been selected as one of this year’s grantee partners! Red Nose Day is an annual fundraising event held by Comic Relief US that seeks to raise life-changing funds to help end the cycle of poverty and ensure children are safe, healthy, educated, and empowered across the U.S. and around the world.

Since 2015, the campaign has taken a multifaceted approach to tackling both the consequences and root causes of child poverty, focusing on the four pillars of health, safety, education and empowerment. In addition to trying to remove systemic barriers, Red Nose Day-funded programs also strive to provide long-term solutions that set children up for a lifetime of success.

As such, Red Nose Day funds transformative programs from 50 trailblazing organizations, large and small, in the U.S. and globally, that exhibit “expertise in implementing community-led solutions to ensure that all children thrive and have access to a healthy future.” 

Per Scholas was one of the 50 organizations selected this year, recognized for its work in using the power of education to transform lives, empower communities, and end cycles of poverty. Per Scholas helps prepare our learners, many of whom are youth or have children, to launch life-changing careers in technology by participating in our rigorous, cost-free tech skills training.

One such learner who launched a thriving career through Per Scholas training is Jadah Stone, a young New Yorker who was always interested in tech but, upon graduating high school, was not sure how to get started in the field. “I had a broad idea of what IT was, and I had a broad idea of what tech was,” Jadah said of herself at the time. “I knew that I wanted to do it, but I wasn’t really sure how to break into the field and how to really solidify myself academically. Per Scholas was instrumental in providing that structure and a clear path… it was also really motivational in helping me stay on track because they gave me a way to envision what my life could be like after all the hard work paid off.” 

After graduating, Jadah successfully launched her career in tech, working first in Application Support at Mitchell Martin, then as an IT Support Specialist at Casper alongside a few other Per Scholas alumni. She now works as a Systems Engineer at Sachs Cloud Services, a position she greatly enjoys.

Jadah loves her work and plans to continue learning and growing within the tech field for the rest of her life. “I want to say thank you to Per Scholas for helping me to solidify the foundations of becoming a person who is able to be successful in the tech world,” Jadah said. “And thank you to Per Scholas for providing really amazing resources for people that might not have otherwise been able to have an opportunity like this.”

Last year’s Red Nose Day had a record-breaking year, raising over $50 million. “This year, Comic Relief US is building on the momentum of our most successful fundraising year ever in 2022 by broadening our transformative community of grantee partners and increasing funding for programs addressing ongoing social inequities,” said Alison Moore, CEO of Comic Relief US. “It’s an honor to help these organizations become even bigger changemakers in the lives of the children and young people they serve in the communities most impacted, and we are so grateful for our partners and the millions of people who support Red Nose Day, allowing us to invest in organizations and social impact programs that help build healthy lives and futures that all children deserve.”

Supporters can buy the campaign’s signature Red Nose exclusively at nearly 9,000 Walgreens and Duane Reade locations for just $1 each and can also donate in stores via pin-pad at checkout. Donning the red nose is a great way to celebrate the campaign’s annual tradition, and 100% of proceeds directly benefit Red Nose Day, helping to make a real difference in the lives of underserved children in America and around the world.