Jacob Maschmeyer

There is a distinct difference between a power user and a professional in tech. For years, Jacob Maschmeyer lived in the space between the two.

A self-taught enthusiast, he built custom PCs and navigated complex software at home, but his professional life told a different story. As he approached 30, Jacob found himself stuck in a cycle of jobs that failed to challenge his intellect or provide the stability his growing family needed.

Jacob is currently a Service Desk Analyst at Bell Techlogix, proving that with the right partnership, a personal passion can become a high-impact career.

Before diving into the mechanics of his career, Jacob is quick to offer a perspective for those standing where he once stood. He believes the biggest mistake learners make is trying to speed-run their transformation.

"Don't be afraid to take it slow," Jacob advises. "As long as you care about what you're doing, you will find your way. Imposter syndrome is massive – it was over me as well – but you have to digest things consistently. Don't burn out. If you love this stuff, it will love you back."

Jacob describes his experience at the Per Scholas Indianapolis campus as "magical," a word he uses to describe the profound evolution of his self-worth. The curriculum went far beyond the CompTIA A+ certification, focusing on skills like:

• The Technical Deep-Dive: Jacob learned to move past memorization. "Our instructor challenged us to be curious about everything. He left open-ended questions that made us explore the topic beyond what the exam required. He taught us to look at every little worm in the can of worms."
• The Personality Deep-Dive: Jacob credits Per Scholas for his ability to navigate high-pressure corporate environments. "Every week, we were exploring ourselves with a different person. We learned how to get comfortable professionally talking to people."

These are the skills that the Bell Techlogix partnership specifically seeks out.

The most critical part of Jacob's journey was the direct connection between Per Scholas and Bell Techlogix. As a leader in managed IT services, Bell Techlogix often relies on Per Scholas to provide job-ready talent.

Jacob's entry into the company was a testament to the strength of this community. A classmate mentioned an opening at Bell Techlogix, and Jacob landed an interview. The result was immediate. Despite Jacob's own nerves, Bell Techlogix recognized his potential within hours.

"I thought I did so badly," he admits. "Three hours after the interview, they called to tell me I got the job."

Jacob's role supports a federal defense contractor; he handles highly sensitive cybersecurity issues and enterprise-level IT infrastructure. In less than one year, Jacob has:

• Managed nearly 5,000 service tickets.
• Navigated custom, high-security programs that regular software can't be trusted with.
• Achieved financial stability, moving toward earning 2.25 times his previous salary.

For Jacob, the most transformative part of this journey is the intellectual respect. He spent years in roles where his curiosity was a distraction; now, it is his greatest asset.

"At Bell Techlogix, I don't feel disposable. I feel supported, and the work-life balance for my three-year-old son is a breath of fresh air." Jacob reflects.

Jacob is a vital part of the Indianapolis tech ecosystem. As he upskills in Linux+ and considers a degree, Jacob is proof that when a learner's passion meets a partner's opportunity, the results are nothing short of magical.