California Tech Fundamentals ITSS Fall 2021 Graduation Book

TECH FUNDAMENTALS & IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST FALL 2021

OUR STORY

NPower is a national nonprofit that offers an alternative fast-track to tech careers for military veterans, military spouses and young adults from underserved communities in New York, Texas, California, Maryland, New Jersey, Missouri, and Michigan. Our six-month program fuels a diverse pipeline of digital professionals hired into entry-level and mid-level jobs by Fortune 500 companies throughout the U.S.

Our curriculum equips students to meet marketplace demand—engaging businesses, volunteers and nonprofits in their long-term success. We invest in the growth of our alumni with continued professional development and credentialing.

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Matt Horner Chair Executive Vice President Global Enterprise Sales World Wide Technology, Inc.

Gail Fierstein Vice Chair SVP, Global Head of People CaaStle

Stephen M. Murphy Secretary

Sr. Managing Director, Financial Services Technology, Global Lead Accenture

Viola Maxwell-Thompson Treasurer CEO Emeritus Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF)

Michael Fugett Board Observer US Army

NPOWER TX GRADUATE VP, Production Management

Citi

Luisana Estevez

Board Observer

NPOWER NY GRADUATE VP, Data Center Production Operations Engineer

Meta

Gerald Charles Jr. VP and Head of Product for Omni Customer Servicing Capital One

Craig Cuffie Chief Procurement Officer HSBC

Dean Del Vecchio EVP, Chief of Operations and CIO The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America

Guillermo Diaz, Jr. Founder and CEO Conectado, Inc.

Ami Desai Chief of Staff to Founder, Chairman & CEO Vista Equity Partners

Michael Fey Co-Founder & CEO Island

Keir Gumbs Chief Legal Officer Broadridge Financial Solutions

Kateau James Global Chief Operating Officer Deloitte Technology

Tony Kerrison Chief Technology Officer Bank of America

Debra King Chief Information Officer Bunge

Jennifer Kleinert Chief Operating Officer, Enterprise Infrastructure Operations & Technology Citi

Mark Patterson SVP, Chief of Staff to Chair & CEO Cisco Systems

Frank Pedersen Partner Apply Digital

David Reilly Tech Executive

Diane Schwarz VP, Chief Information Officer Johnson Controls

CALIFORNIA REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

Eddie Borrero CISO Blue Shield of California

Alicia Johnson Principal, Technology Transformation

Ernst & Young

Troy Johnson Managing Director, Western Regional Technology Deloitte

Ed Morales Chief Information Security Officer Royal Business Bank

Thao Nguyen Senior Vice President & Group Manager Comerica Bank

Kris Stradelman Founding Partner Peerwayz

Dwight D. Shepherd

REAR ADMIRAL (RETIRED) Director, Federal Government Client Relations IBM

Anupam Singhal Senior Vice President and Business Head Tata Consultancy Services

Josh Sutton Chief Executive Officer Agorai

Peter Trizzino President Dell Technologies Select

Sangy Vatsa Founder Digital Insights, LLC

Bertina Ceccarelli Chief Executive Officer NPower

Jim Wong Chairman of the Board National Veterans Transition Services

Phil Dillard Founder Thruline Networks

TECH FUNDAMENTALS

FALL 2021 STATISTICS

The curriculum for this program includes a NetAcad learning module courtesy of the Cisco Networking Academy.

85% GRADUATION RATE NPOWER

94% GOOGLE IT SUPPORT CERTIFICATE

74% BLACK / HISPANIC / ASIAN

ANDY

U.S. MARINE CORPS

CELEST BARAJAS

U.S. ARMY RESERVES

ALEXI

I am originally from Cuba; I moved to California and joined the Marine Corps and for four years served as an aviation support specialist. I got into tech to implement my skills and knowledge of technology to secure and protect the public. My military background gave me a higher sense of security awareness and is an asset in the workplace. am interested in cybersecurity and have attained the IT Google certification and am working on the CompTIA A+ certification.

I am a dreamer and firstgeneration student from Mexico. Living in the US has given me countless opportunities to succeed, but it has not been easy ride. I come from a family of blue-collared workers, which has resulted in the recurrence of manual labor. Technology has been a huge passion for me.

I became the tech guru in my family and even built my own PC. I love working with technology, but never really thought about a career in it. Now, I am laser-focused on a tech career, starting as an IT support technician and ultimately moving on to cybersecurity.

NPower gave me tools and skills to pass certifications, such as CompTIA A+ and Google IT support, and exposed me to top tech companies. I now have a platform for my next phase!

I am a first-generation, culturally diverse California native, the eldest daughter of immigrants, and a military veteran. I chose an IT career because I am fascinated by the ever-changing nature of technology. I hope to enter the machine learning / artificial intelligence field. Through NPower, I have gained knowledge of tech fundamentals and, so far, a certification for Google IT support. I will complete my A+ certification and certifications in AI and machine learning. I will also complete my education in computer engineering. My experience with NPower was a rollercoaster ride — from nervewracking to exhilarating to ending too soon! I am so grateful. I will be exchanging the security and behavioral psychology fields for information technology, planning to use the skills from my previous experiences in a new field.

Before NPower, I was a program leader and instructor at an elementary school. I focused on establishing and maintaining relationships with students, parents, and teachers to create a fun and healthy environment for students. I turned to NPower because of a friend who completed the program. I saw his life positively changed and decided to follow the same route. I plan to use my technical skills to secure a job in the field of technology.

KATRINA DANG

U.S. NAVY VETERAN

JENNA DARE

U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN

I am happy I found NPower; it meets my desire to enter the IT industry. After serving five years in the US Navy as a systems administrator, I am preparing myself through NPower’s education, certification, internship, and mentoring program to advance my skills and move into an IT career. I am so excited to transition my Navy IT experience into a corporate one. There is great demand in our ever-increasing digital world.

I graduated from San Francisco State University with a BS in health education and public health and a minor in women's health issues. I have experience in patient care, leadership, teamwork, and patient confidentiality. I am currently studying in NPower's Tech Fundamentals program. My goal is to merge healthcare with technology so that everyone can have access to treatment and medical care.

BARAJAS 21 SAN JOSE, CA

CAMPOS 24 SAN RAFAEL, CA

SPOUSE

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

ELIZABETH LEON BALSEIRO

RIDGECREST, CA

STOCKTON, CA

SAN JOSE, CA

JONATHAN DINH 20

MARIAH DIXON 20

I’m an experienced lead security professional with a demonstrated history of working in the security and investigations industry. Skilled in camera operation, report writing, closed-circuit television (CCTV), networking, and Google Docs. Currently, I am completing an IT program through NPower to acquire technical skills to help me be more competitive as well as put my best foot forward.

Before discovering NPower, I was a student, very anxious about my lack of real-world experience in terms of career-building and skill acquisition. As a full-time computer science student with little work experience struggling with online schooling during Covid, I felt that I would not be able to find a job upon graduation due to my lack of work experience. Finding NPower on Indeed.com was truly fortunate, for it seemed to be the perfect opportunity to develop in the ways I found lacking. It seemed unbelievable — free support, supplies, classes, and certificate training. The instructors and advisors are compassionate and understanding; they propelled me to succeed. My peers gave me insights and encouragement. The program has been a pleasure, and I thank my instructors, advisors, and peers!

I am a computer science student at the City College of San Francisco with a focus on cybersecurity and software engineering. I have over a year of programming and web design experience, with a thorough knowledge of HTML and JavaScript. I am also continuing my working knowledge of C, C++, and Python. I have been able to successfully balance the academic responsibilities of my university studies as well as complete my studies with NPower. I look forward to implementing my skills in a role within IT!

I’m a diligent IT professional with an entrepreneur/former business owner background. I got into tech a few years ago as a personal challenge to learn a “foreign language.” It quickly became a hobby with my long-standing goal to learn about new technology. I’m excited to pursue an IT career that will allow me to innovate and implement; I am grateful for the learning experience.

NPower entered my life as I was leaving the military due to injuries sustained overseas in combat. I decided to continue a career in law enforcement without properly addressing my injuries, which returned, causing me to leave law enforcement. I now work for the U.S.P.S. as a rural carrier, not my calling. I was introduced to NPower via an email from Veteran’s Affairs. The IT field had always interested me, and now I have a way to find my new calling. As someone with a minimal background in tech, I am grateful that NPower gave me a way to transition careers through their well-rounded program of training, mentoring, and professional development.

Before NPower, I was working as a gymnastics instructor struggling to make ends meet and find my path. I wanted to return to school but was financially unable to do so. Learning about NPower from my nephew, an alumnus, helped me make a career move for the better. This program has been beyond all expectations. With the networking, the internship, the mentorship, and the A+ certification training, this program has been a blessing, and everything was free! I’m grateful to my nephew and to everyone in the NPower family.

SEBASTIAN DELIRA U.S. ARMY RESERVE SAN JOSE, CA

JONATHAN DUENAS U.S. ARMY RESERVE SPOUSE SAN JOSE, CA

DANIEL GARIBAY U.S. ARMY CLOVIS, CA

FRANCISCO, CA

MICHAEL GONZALEZ

GUILIANA GONZALEZ 18

INTERNSHIP Accenture

Since I was young, I have been interested in technology, but I didn’t pursue it in college due to my unfavorable view of math. After attending university for economics and finance, I found myself working various jobs such as security and customer service.

One day I had a self-realization moment that I not only wanted a career, but also wanted to pursue a career doing something I was passionate about. I joined NPower and actually attended my first Tech Fundamentals class on my birthday. This journey with NPower is one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. NPower has truly been a gift!

I’m a US Army veteran and former Chinese linguist. I became interested in tech when exposed to coding while studying software localization in graduate school; I also took a coding bootcamp. I want to be involved in the background processes of the final package that is outward facing. My career goals are to join a tech team where I can contribute the hard skills I’ve gained and be in a position to continue obtaining skills through job experience.

While at NPower, I received the Google IT certificate and will get the CompTIA A+ one. I plan to continue tech training, to include software development and additional tech certifications, especially in cybersecurity. know what you can achieve with persistent effort, and how possible it is to learn new skills, even remotely.

I joined NPower out of high school. I didn’t have plans for the future and was worried about spending thousands of dollars for college. I wanted to expand my interests in another way. My cousin suggested NPower because of how effective, helpful, and diverse the program is, all completely free. Being new to IT, I had my setbacks in achieving my certifications. Nonetheless, the staff and fellow trainees were so supportive. I eventually started to get the hang of things. I’m happy I took a chance to dive into the IT world through NPower. Anyone who follows suit will not be disappointed.

ROGGER GUTIERREZ U.S. ARMY

NATIONAL GUARD

JOSUE HERRERA 24

EUREK HINDS U.S. NAVY

I’m passionate about merging the physical and virtual realms, building a cohesive connection across worlds. I’m a Peruvian American who finds solace in connecting and assisting family members as well as reuniting with family abroad. When family members encounter issues with connections or mobile devices, they reach out to me. I love troubleshooting and educating them on what the problem was and how they can resolve it next time. As an NPower IT professional, I constantly learn new skills and techniques to add to my resume. My goal is to hone these skills to improve the security and speed of information acquisition at the corporate level.

I am an organized, English-and Spanish-speaking professional with proven teaching, guidance, and counseling skills. I am a team player and resolve problems and conflicts professionally. I am skilled at communicating complex information in a simple and entertaining manner. I will contribute my combination of knowledge and skills in a position that offers a genuine opportunity for career progression. I look forward to implementing the skills I have acquired thanks to NPower!

I got involved with NPower due to a recommendation from my Cal Jobs veterans’ representative. I joined to get a hands-on approach to hardware and software, and then take that knowledge and apply it professionally, though I didn’t know exactly how. As a medicallyseparated veteran, I didn’t know if my skill set would translate into an IT environment, but I gave it a shot. I did reasonably well, but life issues kicked in and I had to step away, luckily on good terms. I re-entered the program with new energy and determination. I hope to use this energy and knowledge, along with my military experience, as a workplace tool. Due to coaching from the professional development team and online instructors, I feel that as a mature professional, I’m much more prepared to succeed in an IT workplace.

ISAAC GOVAIN 26

OAKLAND, CA

BRIUN GREENE U.S. ARMY MARINA, CA

MARINA, CA

SCOTTS VALLEY, CA

RAFAEL, CA

STEVE HOANG

KRISTINE HUYNH 25

BELINDA INGRAHAM

U.S. MARINE CORPS

VETERAN

What should I be doing? I constantly asked myself this; I was unsure about my aspirations. I never felt I was meeting my goals. Being first-generation and low-income limited my choices. I clung to the idea that the medical field was the only way to reach financial security. When I discovered NPower, it finally seemed like there was another option! It felt too good to be true. I joined without expectations, knowing zero about tech and even less about what I wanted to gain. Now, not only have a certification in Google IT Support Specialist, with CompTIA A+ and ITF on the way, but I also know exactly where I want to be: data science. This program gave me the confidence to make my dreams reality; I’m forever grateful.

My passion for sociology and volunteering with nonprofits helped me build my career. After graduating from San Jose State University with a BS in sociology, I attended General Assembly’s User Experience Immersive Bootcamp. I wanted to bridge my research ability and my newly-acquired design skills to create technological products. I work with nonprofits like Downtown Emergency Services, where I created a clothing inventory eCommerce site allowing them to reinvest their profits in client services. I was introduced to NPower by a friend who used the program to jumpstart her career. I wanted to learn about the fundamentals of technology to help further my growth. Through NPower, I not only grew my network but also built lasting professional relationships.

Kristine’s Design Portfolio: www.kristinehuynh.com

I had been a Spanish teacher for six years when Covid hit everyone hard. I received emails from a friend who owns a local nonprofit, and she shared an upcoming opportunity for tech. I paid attention because I associated tech with money and began researching NPower. I qualified based on the pre-requirements and was accepted. Once I began the tech fundamentals and professional development programs, I felt confident that I was going to gain the hard and soft skills of an IT professional. I now have the skills to succeed!

GERALD INGRAHAM 23

SAMI JAMAL U.S. MARINES, TRANSLATOR

FREDDIE KENEBREW

I’ve always been interested in IT as well as in coding websites. My mother, also a student, received a flyer from NPower flyer through a friend. I entered the Tech Fundamentals program and gained hard IT skills and professional soft skills. With these new skills, I will be on the way to becoming an IT professional.

I was born and raised in Afghanistan. Despite growing up in an active warzone, I graduated from high school in 2010 and volunteered to assist US forces as a translator. I was forced to leave the country in 2012 as it was no longer safe due to the many combat missions where I served as a translator. I then lived in Dubai and the US, working as a handyman and taxi driver and practicing photography. I completed my last deployment with the Marines from 2018–2019 before moving back to the US for good. I enrolled in college classes before finding NPower. During that time, the US withdrew from Afghanistan before my family had a chance to leave, making life for them extremely dangerous; the Taliban came to my house for revenge on my family, who escaped. I have been focused on my success, and with help from NPower, we were able to bring my family here. I am on my way toward my achieving my goals!

Growing up in the Philippines, the most advanced technology I encountered was an analog television and my uncle’s Nokia 3310. It wasn’t until I moved to the US that I experienced more advanced technology, such as digital TV, a family computer, and a Nintendo 64. I built a gaming PC, sparking my interest in technology. I learned in the Navy that the career field I want to pursue is IT/cybersecurity. A classmate referred me to NPower, which gave me a pathway to obtaining my Google IT Support and CompTIA A+ certifications. I want to obtain the CASP, CompTIA Security+, as well as a BS in cybersecurity. NPower gave me technical skills and helped develop my professional profile and taught me the importance of teamwork. There are no subordinates, only colleagues and peers, and this stays alive in the atmosphere of learning and respect.

ALAMEDA, CA

U.S. NAVY

CHULA VISTA, CA

MARIN CITY, CA

SAN LEANDRO, CA

23 SAN JOSE, CA

SPOUSE

MARIN CITY, CA

JINYOUNG KIM U.S. ARMY RESERVE

NICOLAS LACHNIT

I’m a first-generation immigrant and college student who recently graduated from UC Santa Cruz as a psychology major with a minor in legal studies. I am in the US Army Reserves and have served for five years. Originally, I wanted to be part of law enforcement, but during the pandemic I realized it wasn’t for me. I decided to make a career change into tech through the NPower. I plan to become a data analyst, with an ultimate goal of working in artificial intelligence. NPower offers opportunities for advanced certifications, and I hope to continue my education and pursue certifications in both cloud and cybersecurity. I am blessed that I was accepted by NPower!

Before NPower, I was a high school student working entrylevel jobs in the automotive industry. When I heard about NPower, despite knowing little about IT, I felt that it was just what I needed to improve my life. I am acquiring valuable skills that I continue to develop on this journey that is both challenging and rewarding. NPower gave me opportunities, from technical instruction and certification training, to networking, to wonderful support. The more I learn about technology, the more interested I am, and with a field so broad and diverse, I can take my newly-acquired skills with me wherever I choose!

I am 19 years old, from the Philippines. Growing up, technology was the one passion that stayed with me. I’ve always been fascinated by technology. Even as a kid, I knew that this was the right career choice. My career goal is to not just have an IT career, but also to expand my technology knowledge that will benefit me in everyday life.

I hope to receive my CompTIA certifications and get into cybersecurity. I’ve learned great things about technology and about life. This program has definitely helped me become a better person!

JAZMIN LOPEZ

TAVIS MACALINO U.S. ARMY

24

The fact that technology touches all industries pushed me to pursue this career. I had planned to enlist in the Air Force, but a car accident led me to change my plans. My brother and his wife, Marine Corps veterans, told me about NPower. The free program gave me an opportunity to pursue a career without taking on debt. I plan to learn programming languages and apply my skills and knowledge to make a difference in the field. I also plan to return to NPower and take advantage of its resources and courses. I’m excited to continue to grow as a technical professional and come back to NPower to share what I have learned in the field.

I have been in real estate for 20 years. I struggle with public speaking and am an introvert. I joined the military to overcome my fears. When I got out of the military, I became a real estate agent. I was also the go-to person whenever we had technical issues relating to IT. knew then that I was more interested in IT than in sales. It seemed the IT field was lacking in customer service, and I felt I could fill the gap. I’d like to become an IT support specialist and eventually work my way into cybersecurity. I passed the CompTIA A+ Core 1 certification and am close to completing the Google IT certification. My experience with NPower has been awesome. The instructors and staff are supportive and encouraging. I’m truly grateful and look forward to contributing to the program in the future.

Before NPower, I graduated from San Jose State University with a BS in software engineering. I had no work experience and was not ready with my current knowledge or confidence to apply for a tech job. I was introduced to NPower by a contact from a similar organization I’m part of called Braven, a nonprofit that helps college students transition from college to jobs. In my time at NPower, I gained more than expected. I got my IT certificates and gained in-depth knowledge of CompTIA A+. I found a community and resources I never had. I also gained confidence in my abilities. With my new skills, I plan to apply to positions not only in software but also in IT, and someday even UX design.

SAN JOSE, CA

CHULA VISTA, CA

IRVINE, CA

DIAMOND BAR, CA

JOHN LLOYD LANGIT

SARAH MAI

SAN JOSE, CA

PAUL MEDINA

OUSSEYOU NIANG

JEREMIAH OLIVA 24

Growing up with no one to motivate me besides a grandmother resulted in strength of character. My mother was not always there, and my father died when was young. Computers have always intrigued me. I was dedicated enough to pursue my desires and become a software engineer. I plan to become incredibly successful through building new technology, security software, and implementing my skills within a team to make a positive influence on our society and country. I’m pursuing my BS. NPower has been amazing; I look forward to understanding Linux and gaining a more indepth understanding of network concepts and computers. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at NPower; it provides individuals with competitive skills that apply directly to today’s workforce.

l am originally from Senegal, West Africa. I came to the US to pursue my studies and got my associate’s degree in applied science in a community college. Then I transferred to a fouryear college but it became too expensive, so I joined the US Navy. was an electrician but decided to pursue my passion for technology. obtained the Security +, CEH and Splunk certifications and then came to NPower, which empowers young adults and veterans to achieve their goals. I have my Google IT professional support certification and A+ (Core 1). NPower has been outstanding; the staff and instructors are phenomenal. All l can do is be successful enough to pay it forward!

I am from San Jose, California, a first-generation college student. Longing to find my purpose in my life, I found myself being drawn to the IT industry. Why IT? I am the tech-savvy one in my family, doing things like fixing minor configuration issues, setting up printers, and removing malware. I enjoy helping people with technology; this is my true calling. My end goal is a position working in cybersecurity, providing good for all industries, and even for the common people through the defense of our increasingly digital world. NPower gave me a stepping stone! It is a great experience; the instructors are super responsive, fantastic teachers as well. Making connections with other careerminded individuals is also significant and will likely be the most important benefit long term.

SU

MARL

WILLIAM PEEKS

U.S. ARMY

As an immigrant, I joined the US Army Reserve as a motor transport operator hoping to achieve the American Dream. During the enlistment, I jumped from one job to another hoping to land in the tech field; however, I saw limited opportunities with my education level. During a confusing stage, I found NPower through a friend who had graduated. NPower offers what I needed to break into tech. NPower helped me achieve certifications such as Google IT support and guided me to the field I desire by providing different field-focused classes. thank the staff for teaching me the technical skills, showing me the clear path in life, and motivating me to strive to be successful!

I learned about NPower through a colleague in the military. I had served over 11 years in the Reserves and returned from an overseas deployment. I’ve always been curious about computers and technology and how they can improve aspects of our daily lives. I’ve had many ideas involving the application of technology, but never really knew how to implement such things. was apprehensive about going back to school but decided to give it a try. It was definitely a learning curve, but I’m glad I took the challenge. NPower taught me about computers, technology, professional development, and about myself. I’m thankful to the staff for their expert dedication and look forward to applying what I learned in enhancing my career.

I joined the Marine Corps in 2004 and the Army in 2008 and was discharged in 2014. I had three deployments to Iraq and medically retired due to injuries. I got into tech because it’s something that has always interested me; it allows me the possibility of still serving even with injuries. My goals are to continue my education in tech and ultimately become a security analyst. NPower has been extremely helpful for transitioning service members like myself; they provided a support team to help with finishing the certifications and even helped with other issues students face. It is one of the best programs for combat theater veterans, and it is something I will be promoting to other veterans any chance I have!

U.S. ARMY RESERVE ALVISO, CA

WAN PARK U.S. ARMY RESERVE FREMONT, CA

PASIBE U.S. ARMY STOCKTON, CA

SAN JOSE, CA

U.S. NAVY RESERVE PORT HUENEME, CA

WALNUT CREEK, CA

Before NPower I had mainly been focusing on creative projects like writing and drawing. I heard about NPower through my parents, who wanted me to have a brighter future and encouraged me to apply. I learned to conduct myself as a professional. I learned many technical skills like configuring computers. I specifically enjoyed working with computer hardware and feel have found my niche. During professional development days, we practiced public speaking and had opportunities to share our experiences, which increased my confidence. I was able to overcome some insecurities regarding my abilities. After completing Tech Fundamentals, I will apply my skills and seek new knowledge to accumulate more certifications. I thank my parents for introducing me to NPower and my friends for encouraging me to stay the course!

I was a federal employee for many years. Due to my husband’s military career and frequent moves, I chose to be a stay-athome mom. After my husband retired from the military, I returned to school to pursue a career in IT. I heard about Tech Fundamentals through my husband. At first, I found the program challenging as I didn’t know much about IT. By the end of the course, my knowledge about computers drastically improved. I earned the Google IT Support Professional certification and plan to get the CompTIA A+ and IT Fundamentals+ ones. I look forward to pursuing a career in technology.

I am an Air Force Veteran with an MS in international business administration. Prior to enrolling in NPower, I was working as an accounting advisor for a small tech company. I decided to embark on this new journey because women, especially women of color, are very underrepresented in this industry. I want to inspire not only my daughter, but other young girls, to make their mark in the IT/ STEM world. I will be focusing on cybersecurity because this area is vital in keeping valuable information safe and secure.

Before NPower, I had no job and was living off EDD during the pandemic. It was hard to find work; I felt like there was nothing to do but play video games. Then my aunt told me about this free program to help with a career change. Most of my jobs were package handling and customer service. I had some background in IT and was considered the “techy guy” in the family. After joining NPower and getting my certificates, It gave me an edge on others who didn't have this experience; I will use this to my advantage. I look forward to using my new skills for helping people and finally get a job related to tech.

Growing up in a military family, I always had a desire to serve my community. This is one of the reasons why I was a sociology major at California State University East Bay. From sport teams to clubs to various jobs, I have always found myself collaborating well with others. My experience in customer service allowed me to become a great communicator. After getting my first IT certification, I will focus on cybersecurity in efforts to protect organizations against cyber-attacks. One of my recent positions was at Stanford University School of Medicine as a management intern where I helped the inventory department collect and store data into an offsite cloud network for better security. I’m excited about future opportunities!

Growing up in Silicon Valley taught me so much about modern technologies. Knowing that the use of technology will only increase as we continue into the future, I determined that a job in IT would undoubtedly help me grow into the professional I aspire to be. Ultimately, I’d like to be an urban designer and need software skills to make my ideas come to life. NPower gave me not only the training and CompTIA+ certifications important for landing a job in tech, but also many more opportunities, certifications, and connections. The assistance they provide made me feel like I can still reach my dreams despite the setbacks from the pandemic.

TANYA ROBINSON

AIR FORCE HENDERSON, NV

RODRIGUEZ

BETTY RIVERA U.S. NAVY VETERAN SPOUSE

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, CA

OMAR REYES

HAYWARD, CA

SABRINA TANABE

JOSE, CA

Before NPower, I was an activeduty member of the US Navy working as a hospital corpsman. I served five years. When I got out, I became a vocational nurse and started to get burnt out. I’ve always had a passion for tech and was looking for a way to get into the field I was truly passionate about. Through NPower, I was got the Google IT professional as well as the CompTIA A+ certification. I’ve learned about the power of networking and leveraging my prior skills as a corpsman to propel me in my new career through the professional development. I plan to pursue an entry-level IT position where I can learn and build upon these skills.

NICHOLAS THOMAS U.S. NAVY

LEMON GROVE, CA

ROBERT DAVIS

SAMMIE LEWIS

KEVIN MARTINEZ

BRIAN O’GUINN

MIGUEL FLAQUER

ALEJANDRO LOPEZ

MARISSA MENDOZA ELISIVA MAKA

DUSTIN NUNEZ

ESTEBAN ORNELAS DHRUV VARMA LAYOLA PAGE

CHRISTOPHER WESLE

CONGRATULATIONS!

TECH FUNDAMENTALS FALL 2021

ELIZABETH LEON BALSEIRO

ANDY BARAJAS

CELESTE BARAJAS

ALEXI CAMPOS

KATRINA DANG

JENNA DARE

ROBERT DAVIS

SEBASTIAN DELIRA

JONATHAN DINH

MARIAH DIXON

JONATHAN DUENAS

MIGUEL FLAQUER

DANIEL GARIBAY

MICHAEL GONZALES

ISAAC GOVAIN

BRIUN GREENE

ROGGER GUTIERREZ

JOSUE HERRERA

EUREK HINDS

STEVE HOANG

KRISTINE HUYNH

BELINDA INGRAHAM

GERALD INGRAHAM

SAMI JAMAL

FREDDIE KENEBREW

JINYOUNG KIM

NICOLAS LACHNIT

JOHN LLOYD LANGIT

SAMMIE LEWIS

ALEJANDRO LOPEZ

JAZMIN LOPEZ

TAVIS MACALINO

SARAH MAI

ELISIVA MAKA

KEVIN MARTINEZ

PAUL MEDINA

MARISSA MENDOZA

OUSSEYOU NIANG

DUSTIN NUNEZ

BRIAN O’GUINN

JEREMIAH OLIVA

ESTEBAN ORNELAS

LAYOLA PAGE

SU WAN PARK

MARL PASIBE

WILLIAM PEEKS

OMAR REYES

BETTY RIVERA

TANYA ROBINSON

ERWYLL RODRIGUEZ

SHALVIN SHARMA

SABRINA TANABE

NICHOLAS THOMAS

DHRUV VARMA

CHRISTOPHER WESLE

NPOWER CALIFORNIA

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST FALL 2021 STATISTICS

The curriculum for this program includes a NetAcad learning module courtesy of the Cisco Networking Academy.

JASON ALVAREZ

KYLE GUEVARA

TYRA HAYNES

88% PLACEMENT RATE

94% GOOGLE FOUNDATIONS OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATE

94% BLACK / HISPANIC / ASIAN

I am a cybersecurity aspiring professional with a deep interest in tech. Prior to NPower, I attended the University of California, Irvine as a first-gen student and graduated in business economics and education. I worked in area operations at Amazon but felt unfulfilled. I yearned for more and searched for something better aligned with my passions. My hobbies and interests pointed to tech. I found NPower and thank God I did. NPower has allowed me to fulfill my goals and enabled me to work towards my professional aspirations within tech. I met amazing peers and mentors, which gave me an enriching experience. I feel more fulfilled in life, and although I am not where I want to be yet, it feels great knowing that I’m achieving my goal of getting into cybersecurity. Thank you, NPower!

I had a strong interest in and passion for technology but couldn’t find opportunities to get into IT. NPower was the launchpad I needed — the cornerstone of my career. I discovered NPower while browsing a forum and seeing a post that offered opportunities to veterans as well as to young adults. During my time at NPower, I met wonderful people from fascinating backgrounds. I not only learned technical skills and gained certifications, I also developed soft skills and established friendships I could only dream of before. After graduation I will dive into the world of tech and explore a career in cybersecurity, as well as use my skills to teach those around me as NPower did for me!

Before NPower, I was out of school and looking for a job amid COVID. I was introduced to NPower by a friend who encouraged me to get back into the tech field. NPower taught me IT essentials and project management. I also gained professional development training and feel confident to enter the tech industry. My goal is to take what I’ve learned in class together with the coaching guidance for my journey to success. I want to thank NPower, my classmates, my family, and the list goes on. Thank you all for opening my eyes to this field, guiding me, helping me, and presenting these opportunities!

JOSEPH HERNANDEZ

I joined the US Marine Corps Reserves at age 20. After serving my country from 2010 until 2016, I attended community college for my associate’s degree in business administration. I had a difficult time figuring out what to do, feeling indecisive. That ended when I received an email from my school about NPower. I have always had an affinity for technology and computers, but I was skeptical about receiving free training. I pushed aside my doubts and took the opportunity to set myself upon a new path. I gained back the direction that I lost early on; I surprised myself and saw that I can achieve so much more due to the opportunity NPower gave me. Everyone at NPower has been extremely helpful and supportive!

Before NPower, I was incarcerated for 13 years. I had just been released and had no direction or purpose. However, I was accepted into NPower, and I felt overwhelmed with joy because I had an opportunity to change my life by learning a skill! I not only learned about computer hardware and computer networks, I also learned about myself in class and professional development. Despite many challenges, I had support from my instructors, professional development coach, and peers. I will persevere! I am grateful to NPower for offering the support I needed and teaching me meaningful skills.

I hope to open my own small business and help small businesses in low-income communities.

I’m a student pursing a BS degree, but I was looking for a specific route for my career. I received an email for the NPower IT Support Specialist program and asked myself, “Why not?” After joining NPower, I quickly learned that I love IT. The instructors helped me see that IT and business work hand in hand, and my degree in business administration, together with my CompTIA A+, Google Project Management and Azure certifications, will take me to more promising job opportunities. Using my new IT knowledge and skills, I will kickstart my career as a helpdesk assistant and eventually, I want to gain experience as a project manager for an IT department.

PANIDA NAKARANGKUL 23

JORDAN PAMINTUAN AIR NATIONAL GUARD

DANIEL PINO 24

Before NPower, I was a recent college graduate from UCLA on track for optometry school. But after participating in various shadowing and volunteering programs, I was unhappy and knew that it was not for me. While working as a health educator during the pandemic, I researched other career paths and became interested in an IT career. But I didn’t want to return to school or go the self-taught route. What brought me to NPower was the free training, guidance, and job placement, along with a support system and a structured learning environment. NPower gave me the technical skills, certificates, and professional development to jumpstart my career. With my new skills, I will solidify my foundation through an IT specialist role while gaining knowledge and experience to pursue cybersecurity.

Before the pandemic hit the world, I was working in a civil engineering firm, but 30 employees were laid off, including me. This didn’t stop me along my journey. I looked for jobs where I could use my professional skills in making videos and enlisted in the Air National Guard to serve our country. I got a newsletter about NPower and its free IT Support program for military veterans. NPower gave me valuable information and skills I can use not only for my future job, but also for me and my family who need help in troubleshooting a computer. The professional development class helped me with my resume, LinkedIn profile, and interviewing. I plan to look for a job where I can combine my previous skills in audio and video editing with my new skills in IT or project management.

Before starting NPower, I had just begun my IT career with an entry-level network support role. I was grateful to be hired with no prior professional experience or certifications, but I wanted to grow more and gain certifications. When I found NPower, I was really excited about the opportunity to be trained in CompTIA A+ as opposed to self-study, which felt intimidating. NPower made me feel more confident in my ability to self-study with the self-paced Google Project Management certifications. I’m really excited to continue my career in IT with the professional knowledge I’ve gained from NPower. The feedback I received from my professional development instructor about my resume and LinkedIn has improved the way I use these tools. I’m thankful for the opportunities NPower gave me and the technical and professional training that boosted my career.

ANTHONY HURTADO

U.S. MARINE CORPS

LOS ANGELES, CA

KELLY MELENDEZ 25 LOS ANGELES, CA

U.S. MARINE CORPS RESERVE

LOS ANGELES, CA

VENETTE TAGOC 24

Prior to NPower, I was a teacher in Ohio, but when Covid made teaching increasingly difficult, I relocated to California to study. Despite my training, I found it extremely difficult to find sustainable employment. I was introduced to NPower at an event for veterans. My time at NPower was nothing short of remarkable, I received support in some truly amazing ways and high-quality IT training. I got my CompTIA A+ certification and took courses in Google Project Management and Microsoft Azure, with paths to much more learning open to me. After graduation, I will be a lead instructor with NPower, allowing me to pay forward the opportunities the program afforded me. Thank you, NPower!

Before NPower, I was a fresh out of high school, unemployed, a community college student with no tangible skills. I contemplated getting a retail job before my mom introduced me to NPower. Throughout the course at NPower, I was able to learn both the technical and professional skills that I needed to compete in the job market. I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to earn the CompTIA A+ certification. The professional development class helped me become more confident in my interview skills and accurately portray my professionalism through my resume. The fact that NPower was free made it easy to sign up and get onboard! I can't wait to use my newly-acquired skills and certifications to begin my new career.

Before NPower, I was in the education field and enrolled ina master’s degree program. However, I was having doubts about continuing it due to my lack of interest, and that's when I came across NPower on Indeed. com. NPower ignited my interest in the technology field, which I have been ignoring for a while due to having a bachelor’s degree in education. I love how the program not only offers a technological curriculum, but it also provides hands-on skills, such as, virtualization and building computer projects. I was instantly fascinated with the material; I have a passion to complete the ITSS program. I appreciate that NPower has allowed me to realize my passion is in the technology industry.

GUINEVERE WASHINGTON-

MALIA WILLIAMS 21

I found NPower through an ad on Craigslist after endless hours of scrolling on my phone in my year-and-a-half quarantine. When my husband and I both lost our jobs, I couldn’t continue my secondary education or start any hobbies. Don’t get me wrong, I did a lot of necessary selfreflection and housework, but when I actually started the IT Support Specialist program, my life really changed. I overcame many obstacles to complete the program, such as getting pregnant with our first child, multiple deaths in the family, and then miscarrying. I gained confidence in my knowledge, a sense of direction for the future, and people to support who will support me as well. I’m proud of myself, and I’m proud of everybody who puts in the hard work toward their future as I did.

Before NPower It was a challenge trying to find a job or an internship as a full-time college student who had no prior technical experience. What brought me to NPower were the technical training and certifications that employers are looking for. Thanks to NPower, I landed my desired IT support position!

RICHARD POWELL U.S. ARMY RESERVE LOS ANGELES, CA

BEN RILEY 20 LANCASTER, CA

LOS ANGELES, CA

LOS ANGELES, CA

TINGA 21 PALMDALE, CA

ELIJAH

21

LAWRENCE CABALLES

U.S. MARINE CORPS

RHAQUAN JOHNSON 25

CONGRATULATIONS!

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

FALL 2021

JASON ALVAREZ

ELIJAH ACEVEDO-ETHERTON

LAWRENCE CABALLES

KYLE GUEVERA

TYRA HAYNES

JOSEPH HERNANDEZ

ANTHONY HURTADO

RHAQUAN JOHNSON

KELLY MELENDEZ

PANIDA NAKARANGKUL

JORDAN PAMINTUAN

DANIEL PINO

RICHARD POWELL

BENJAMIN RILEY

VENETTE TAGOC

GUINEVERE WASHINGTON-TINGA

MALIA WILLIAMS

WATCH THE RECORDING npower.org/graduation/fall2021

ACEVEDOETHERTON

LOS ANGELES, CA

LOS ANGELES, CA

LOS ANGELES, CA

LAUNCHING TECH CAREERS. TRANSFORMING LIVES.

NPower’s model is a solution to building a diverse tech pipeline. Our graduates launch tech jobs with an average starting salary of $41,000–$60,000 and are positioned to advance their career path, enabling them to earn more than their peers in lower-wage jobs. Higher earning potential is the key to breaking generational cycles of poverty, positioning our students and their families to achieve long-term economic success.

WE ARE THE FUTURE OF WORK

Through partner and tech industry collaboration, our free training model is a workforce development solution for the future. In today’s economy, over 50% of all jobs require some degree of technology and digital skill. We prepare untapped, diverse talent to fill the number of technology-oriented jobs that will increase in the U.S. to 13 million by 2025, according to a recent Microsoft Data Science report that estimates that digital job capacity. Our graduates of over 4,000 veterans and young adults are hired at over 2000 companies and nonprofits as interns and full-time employees.

NPower is on a mission to create pathways to economic prosperity by launching digital careers for young adults and military veterans from underserved communities. Part of this goal is our ‘40 by 22’ initiative, which aims to advance more young women of color in tech careers. This initiative is supported by the Citi Foundation’s Pathways to Progress initiative.

› Of students who enroll graduate

› Of alumni get jobs or continue their education

THANK YOU...

TO OUR FUNDERS

Adobe Foundation

Antonios Tsatsaronis

Auth0

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation

Benevity Fund

California Bank of Commerce

California Emerging Technology Fund

Christiane Costello

Comcast (NBC Universal)

Comerica

Craig Newmark Philanthropies

The Dauber Foundation

Dropbox Inc.

Elmore Household

Flextronics Foundation

Full Circle Fund

Google

Gula Tech Foundation

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation

Heffernan Foundation

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Kaiser Permanente

The Kimball Foundation

Lam Research Corporation

The Markkula Foundation

The Morris Stulsaft Foundation

Mike Elmore

Kirkland and Ellis LLP

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Madden Media

May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust

Mechanics Bank

Microsoft

MUFG Union Bank

Netscout

Northrop Grumman Corporation

OneTen Coalition Inc,

Pacific Service Credit Union

Patrick J. McGovern Foundation

Republican Women of San Francisco

Robert Half

Roberts & Ryan Investments, Inc.

Ross Stores Foundation

Salesforce

San Jose Digital Inclusion Partnership

Sharks Foundation

SkillUp

Social Finance

The Sobrato Foundation

Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation

Stripe

Tanium Inc.

TE Connectivity Foundation

The Cultural Leadership Fund | Andreesen

Horowitz

The Markkula Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation

U.S. Department of Labor

Union Pacific Corporation

United States Department of Homeland Security

VeriSign, Inc.

Verizon

Veterans' Educational Assistance Program

Venable LLP

Wells Fargo Bank

Workday Foundation

TO OUR EMPLOYMENT PARTNERS

Grameen America

OnCall IT

AND TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

TECH FUNDAMENTALS

Hopeful Speaking

Hope White

Murphy McKay

Sally Spillbury

Michelle Noel

Auth0

Alex Sloan

Trilogy Interactive

Mike Disharoon

IT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Banyan Tree Strategies

Drew Sanders

Craigslist

Craig Newmark

Deloitte

Mursal Bokhari

Grameen

Marcus Berkowitz

Equus Workforce Solutions

Leisa Johnson

Verizon

Irene Mak

Evolve Leadership

Alex Resnick

Information Warfare Center

Jeremy Martin

Samba TV

THA

Eric Chappel

Argo AI

Gabriel Flores

Rimini Street

Jerry Doherty

Auto Desk

Michael Dinh

Innergem

Priya Sodha

LinkedIn

Ryan Zervakos

Opportunity at Work

Lio Vega

PACE

Edmund Soohoo

Robert Half

Gretchen Feighner

Royal Business Bank

Erik Grier

Ed Morales

Verizon

Irene Mak

PATHWAY BUILDERS

Pathway Builders are individual donors invested in the future of our country and changing lives for military veterans and young adults from underserved communities. To learn more about Pathway Builders or to join this group of changemakers, please visit npower.org/support or email hello@npower.org.

Ronald & Cynthia Gula

Charitable Fund

Tim Brien

Dean Del Vecchio

Mike Elmore

Gail Fierstein

Matt Horner

Stephen Murphy

Christopher Perry

Daniel Petrozzo

David Reilly

Julie Sweet

Peter Trizzino

SUPPORTERS

Mahir B AbdalRazzaaqEl

James Alcombright

Robert Anselmo

Linda Apsley

Jack Azagury

Peter Benzie

The Ramesh and Kalpana

Bhatia Family Foundation

Michael Blumstein

Brian Bohan

Chad Bope

James Carey

Steve Cass

Joseph Castro

Vittorio Cretella

Paul Daugherty

Anthony DeLisio

Richard DePalma

Bruce Derr

Anthony DiSanto

Darcy Down

FRIENDS

Noreen Fierro

Michael Fugett

Pedro Garcia

Betsy George

Doug Greene

Scott Harris

Jason Heckler

Jonathan Hicks

Matt Holton

Stuart Henderson

Florian Jaze

Patricia Karzai

Leif King

Aaron Lewis

Viola Maxwell-Thompson

Catherine McDonald

Robert Millstone

Paul Miranda

Brian Mize

Hunter Muller

Joe Murphy

Christine Parsons

Frank Pedersen

Greg Raimann

Michael D Robinson

Michael Rupinski

Diana Scott

Dwight Shepherd

James Smith

Joel Spieth

Harold & Diane Steuber

Nicole Tate

Susanne Tedrick

Rex Thexton

Cliff Thomas

Rah Thomas

Joel Unruch

Alphonse Valbrune

Robert Vaughn

Chris Wegmann

Casey Wells

Crystal White

Pete Agresta

Guillermo Diaz, Jr.

Diane Gherson

Candace Givens

Mark Heil

Debra King

Jennifer Kleinert

James Linnett

Tristan Morel L’Horset

Harry Moseley

Larry Quinlan

Diane Schwarz

Ellyn Shook

Einat Burshtine

Benjamin Ciaglo

Allison Crady

Amy Heydman

NPOWER SUPPORTERS

UNDERWRITERS | $750K+

SPONSORS | $250K+

PARTNERS | $100K+

AHEAD

Andreessen Horowitz

Atlas Data Systems

Beth & Ravenel Curry Foundation

Bloomberg Philanthropies

Centene Charitable Foundation

Check Point Software Technologies

Corteva Agriscience

SUPPORTERS | $50K+

The Achelis & Bodman Foundation

ADP Foundation

Ascension Information Services

Auth0

Baltimore Nonprofit Relief Fund

Blue Data

Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation

Centene Corporation

The Centene Charitable Foundation

Craig Newmark Philanthropies

Dennis M. Jones Family Foundation

Emerson

Ernst & Young

Fiserv

Global Leadership Forum

Hewlett Packard Company

Ira W. DeCamp Foundation

KPMG

Llewellyn Family Foundation

Maryland Apprenticeship

Innovation Fund

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

MTX Group Inc

NetApp

NETSCOUT

The New York Community Trust

Palo Alto Networks

Patrick J McGovern Foundation

The Pinkerton Foundation

Rocket Community Fund

St. Louis Community Foundation

Tata Consultancy Services

Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan

Communities Foundation of Texas

Consumers Energy

Elasticsearch

Flextronics International USA, Inc.

Fortinet

France-Merrick Foundation

Henry & Ruth Blaustein

Rosenberg Foundation

IBM

Infinidat

JobFirstNYC

Kaiser Permanente

Kirkland & Ellis

Light a Single Candle Foundation

LinkedIn Corporation

Mainline Information Systems

Mass Mutual Insurance Company

Medidata Solutions

Morgan Stanley

TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS FRIENDS

Motorola Solutions

New York City Council

Northrop Grumman Corporation

OneTen

The Rockefeller Foundation

Royal Bank of Canada

SAP

The Saigh Foundation

Shippy Foundation

State Street Bank

Texas Workforce Commission

Twilio Inc

United Way of Greater St. Louis

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program

West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation, Inc.

Workday Foundation

St. Louis Regional Business Council

Tanium Inc.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company

Vmware

Vodafone

The William R. Orthwein, Jr. Foundation, Inc.

Wilson Sheehan Foundation

Veritas Zoom

Thanks to our government partners, the U.S. Department of Labor, Maryland, New Jersey and New York Department of Labor.