Obosa Ogbeide

Obosa Ogbeide's story is nothing short of extraordinary; fueled by determination, he turned his passion into a thriving tech career. Growing up in New York as a first-generation Nigerian American, he developed an interest in technology at an early age by playing video games and helping with network challenges at home. With help from Per Scholas and Cisco Networking Academy.

Obosa's technology journey began in childhood, when curiosity was sparked by playing online video games. Growing up in an immigrant household in New York, he encountered early challenges due to limited internet access, which led him to explore networking concepts such as router splitters. "Growing up, you know, I always liked playing video games. I would say that was my 1st real interaction with the tech. It was actually, so I had a PlayStation 3, and I wanted to play online… so that's when I started learning about router splitters and things of that nature."

When it came time to pursue higher education, he initially chose a path in accounting. But as semesters passed, Obosa's passion for technology continued to grow, causing him to switch to a degree in business information systems. As his college career was coming to an end, a family friend introduced him to the Per Scholas program, where he enrolled in Cisco Networking Academy courses. This introduction soon became the foundation for his career transformation to his current cybersecurity role.

Like millions across the world, Obosa's college journey was abruptly interrupted by the pandemic. Instead of letting the obstacles define him, Obosa took strong initiative to better himself, embracing the impactful training from Per Scholas and the Cisco Networking Academy.

Not only did the program help him professionally, but it also instilled confidence as he navigated through training with a supportive cohort of professors and mentors by his side. "Going through the Per Scholas program and then in conjunction with that, going through the Cisco networking courses, I knew I was going to be able to get a lot out of it. Confidence was instilled in me during my Per Scholas experience, and then through my role I've tried to build on that experience. "

Moving from a Telemedia Analyst role to a Cybersecurity Analyst at PIMCO, Obosa continues to apply his critical thinking and research skills to solve real-world problems. Through strong commitment and persistence, he earned certifications such as Security+ and AWS Solutions Architect, enabling him to achieve key breakthroughs early in his career.

Obosa's professional and personal life have been drastically impacted by the training and connections he's made through Per Scholas and the Cisco Networking Academy.

Driven by the financial empowerment to now support his family, he viewed his career growth as a meaningful and fulfilling milestone. As for the future, Obosa is far from finished learning. He is now focused on advancing cloud security, a field he has started exploring through hands-on experience and additional certifications.

When asked about advice to others who want to start their upskilling journey, he says, "Commit first, ask questions later. Time is your friend and your enemy. Just don't take the time that you think you have for granted because maybe right now is the best opportunity for you." Spotlighting the importance of seizing opportunities and embracing growth.

Obosa's story is a powerful testament to how determination, access to quality training, and a supportive community can turn a passion into a successful career. Beginning with early curiosity and overcoming educational barriers in a post-pandemic world, Obosa's multifaceted journey highlights the value of programs like Per Scholas and Cisco Networking Academy in bridging opportunity gaps.