What led you to TECH CORPS, and how did that experience shape your high school career?
I first learned about TECH CORPS from a flyer in high school that encouraged me to start my tech journey. I didn’t even know how to use a computer at the time. My teachers encouraged me to apply, and I was surprised and excited when I got accepted. That three-month bootcamp changed everything.

What experiences influenced your decisions about education and career?
During the program, I learned how to use and even take apart computers. I also received mentorship that helped me see what was possible in tech. A representative from Per Scholas introduced me to the next steps I could take, and I applied and got accepted there as well. That opened the door to IT support, networking, and beyond.

Why did you choose this route instead of a four-year degree?
One reason this path fit me was that I didn’t see myself sitting in college for four years. TECH CORPS and Per Scholas offered a faster, hands-on way to build real skills. In just three months, I gained knowledge and experience that could launch my career. That accelerated approach made all the difference for me.

Who influenced your path at TECH CORPS, and what projects are you pursuing now?
Mentors like Kasey Wilson inspired me by showing how coding opens the door to building anything you can imagine. That mindset still drives me today. Now I’m a data engineer analyst at Accenture while also building projects like Ehel, a financial platform, and community initiatives such as Tahalbites, Sahanbites, and Legacy Somali Network.

How do you see the long-term impact of TECH CORPS?
The long-term value of TECH CORPS is that it provides the foundation. Just like you can’t be a doctor without anatomy, you can’t succeed in tech without the basics. TECH CORPS gave me that foundation, plus the confidence to keep going. Thank you for setting me on a path where I can turn ideas into reality.