John Hale

For John Hale Jr., the path to a thriving career in technology wasn't a straight line — it was built on resilience, self-study, and the courage to pivot. 

Before entering the tech world, John was climbing the corporate ladder in retail management. He started as a receiving clerk at Home Depot while in college, eventually working his way up to Department Supervisor. While working full-time at Home Depot, he enrolled in an advanced degree program in Business Intelligence to carve out a new path. However, balancing full-time work and school proved overwhelming. 

Left feeling frustrated, dissatisfied, and uncertain about his next steps, John knew he wanted a future in technology; he just didn't know how to bridge the gap. Driven by that tension between frustration and ambition, he began researching options and discovered Per Scholas Atlanta.

"And honestly? I thought, 'Is this a legitimate organization?'" John recalled. But after confirming its track record, he decided to take a chance on himself.

To create space for the transition, John stepped away from his full-time role and took on two part-time jobs in the evenings and on weekends. He enrolled in a groundbreaking Per Scholas Atlanta remote pilot cohort launched during the height of the pandemic. Despite the virtual format, the 15-week schedule was demanding, the curriculum was rigorous, and the experience required real sacrifice.

"Per Scholas introduced me to the overall IT troubleshooting and entry-level tech support field. That was the piece that I was missing."

Equipped with hardware sent directly to their homes, John and his classmates dove straight into real-world labs and foundational projects under the guidance of dedicated instructors. From mastering Linux automation to diving into the OSI model, the intensive curriculum gave John the exact technical baseline he needed.

Beyond earning technical certifications, including the Google IT Support Professional Certificate and CompTIA A+, John experienced a profound shift in mindset and professional confidence:

"It really changed me from just teaching me skills to further my development, to where I could go from being underemployed to gainfully employed."

While the technical credentials opened doors, John credits Per Scholas with helping him develop the soft skills that truly set him apart in competitive interview rooms and workplace environments.

"A lot of the soft skills that I learned and enhanced at Per Scholas were very beneficial to my day-to-day… communication being one, whether that's verbal or written. Also, soft skills such as being curious and asking questions when you don't understand. Things like that have helped me stand out in rooms, because it shows that I'm present and aware."

About three months after graduating, John successfully transitioned out of retail into his first technical role as a Network Operations Center (NOC) Technician at Kobiton. Over the next few years, he consistently leveled up his skill set, earning certifications in Google Professional Project Management, AWS Cloud Practitioner, and CompTIA Network+.

His hard work paid off with rapid career advancement:

1. NOC Technician (Kobiton)
2. Technical Support Specialist
3. Senior Data Center Engineer
4. Team Lead
5. Data Center Team Lead (Microsoft contractor via Experis)
6. Data Center Engineer II (Sauce Labs)

Today, half a decade after graduating, John works as a Data Center Engineer II at Sauce Labs, at the Individual Contributor 3 level, and is actively working toward his next ambitious goal: stepping into a DevOps or Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) role.

The personal and financial impact of this career trajectory has been life-changing:

"Financially... I've been fortunate enough to double my salary since my first role. And personally, the satisfaction that I have in knowing that I have skills that will keep me employed or keep me in the labor market is a peace of mind."

John continues, "Now I am able to go to a job board and feel confident applying to almost any role due to the amount of experience I've been able to gain in a short amount of time."

Looking back, John admits he was initially surprised when asked to share his journey. 

"I never felt my story was worth sharing," he admitted. "But when I started to reflect on my journey after Per Scholas, I realized I am so proud of it... Looking back, my experience at Per Scholas taught me to bet on myself like never before."

For John, one of the most rewarding aspects of Per Scholas is the vibrant community fostered by the Atlanta campus. Staff members like Sherri, Tina, and Giovanni create an inclusive ecosystem that keeps past, present, and prospective learners connected.

Per Scholas also helped John realize that success isn't just about personal accomplishment, but about using his experience to support others. That strong network allowed John's journey to come full circle. 

While attending an alumni event, he met upcoming graduates from Per Scholas Atlanta's Data Center cohort. Recognizing their potential, John referred several of them to roles at Experis and became their hands-on mentor once they were hired on-site. Today, he continues to give back through volunteering with nonprofits and serving as an invited panelist in professional settings.

Looking forward, John sees Per Scholas playing a defining role in the region's economic future:

"I do believe that Per Scholas, particularly in the Atlanta chapter, can solidify itself in helping Atlanta become the next tech hub of the South."

When asked what advice he would offer to incoming Per Scholas learners and aspiring professionals, John emphasizes curiosity, engagement, and perspective: 

"Ask questions, don't be afraid to pursue challenging tasks. And if you're in the Per Scholas program, take advantage of the opportunities that are given to you. Try to stay involved as much as you can."

To the donors, partners, and champions who make Per Scholas programs possible, John expresses deep gratitude for creating a self-sustaining cycle of opportunity: 

"Thank you for the continuous support. Their support and their efforts inspire learners who then become supporters themselves and keep the cycle going."

John's story proves that our dedicated campuses and programs truly make a difference; learners just have to be brave enough to start.