Bo Bonilla

"You need to involve yourself in your own evolution. Your starting point is not your destiny."

For almost two decades, Bo (Vanessa) Bonilla balanced long shifts in the hospitality industry while writing tech content and solving calculus problems at late-night diners after work. She had the drive, the analytical curiosity, and a distinct vision.

What she lacked was an affordable, accessible entry point into formal technical training. That trajectory shifted when a mentor directed her to Pennsylvania's PA CareerLink, which led her directly to Per Scholas Greater Philadelphia's Cybersecurity pathway.

Now, armed with a powerful trifecta of CompTIA certifications, including Security+, Network+, and A+, alongside hands-on IT support experience, Bo is carving out a high-impact path in incident response and identity security.

Entering an intensive technical training program without a traditional computer science pedigree can induce imposter syndrome.

"I was terrified," Bo recalls. "I thought, What is a server and a marketer doing in this program? I shouldn't be here. But everyone in our cohort came from non-traditional backgrounds. Per Scholas is built for career changers."

The true test arrived around week six: a rigorous midpoint where cognitive fatigue and self-doubt collide.

"Your brain hits that wall where you ask yourself: Are you staying, or are you going? When you look around the room, you realize you aren't alone. My instructors and peers gave us the confidence to stay. Passing the Security+ exam after that felt surreal. That was the moment my life began to change."

When asked about the most critical skill acquired during the course, Bo points not to technical jargon, but to emotional endurance:

"The most valuable skill was showing up… CompTIA Security+ gives you the foundational vocabulary and proves you have skin in the game. But Per Scholas demonstrates your resilience. It is a risk for Per Scholas to bet on us, and a risk for us to bet on Per Scholas. The habit of showing up, regardless of obstacles, is what actually establishes a career."

Bo also candidly addresses the silent challenge inherent to major career transitions: the grieving process.

"Career switching involves real loss… loss of your old identity, established routines, and familiarity. The cohort becomes essential to navigating that emotional shift. They give you a fresh baseline to start from."

Following graduation, Bo transitioned to a role as a Service Network Technician, contracted through Experis to support the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), a position she held through October 2026. This was a deliberate stepping stone recommended by mentors to gain hands-on experience with enterprise infrastructure.

She continued building on that foundation, systematically documenting her technical growth on LinkedIn, immersing herself in professional security communities, and competing in high-intensity Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges. In August 2026, she deepened her technical toolkit by earning both her CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications. She also tested her skills on a larger competitive stage, participating in the prestigious Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) and SANS Institute Tier 1 scholarship round.

"Cracking a technical puzzle during a CTF gives you this massive rush… reminiscent of the energy I used to feel performing on stage as a metal singer," Bo laughs. "You stare at what looks like complete gibberish, solve it, and realize what your brain is capable of when you refuse to quit."

Her long-term sights are set on security engineering and incident response within non-governmental and human rights organizations.

"Access is personal to me. As a child of immigrants, I know what happens when doors are shut through no fault of someone's own. Organizations like Per Scholas provide that vital first open door."

Bo's transformation has ignited a chain reaction across her community:

• In the Hospitality Community: A former restaurant coworker, inspired by Bo's career pivot, took the leap to pursue his personal training certification after she connected him with a professional mentor.
• In Her Family: Her sister shed her doubts about returning to school, applied, and was admitted to the Honors program at Rutgers University–Newark. (Pending final confirmation from her sister before publication).
• Within Per Scholas: Bo actively mentors incoming cohorts as they approach their critical midpoint challenges, reminding them that resilience is an everyday decision.

"At first, you feel like you have no value because you're starting from scratch. That isn't true. Just like your fingerprint, no one else has your story. When you share it, you give someone else permission to believe they can do it too."

Bo's transformation showcases the importance of access to career-changing opportunities.