Per Scholas Atlanta offers opportunities for women in tech during the pandemic

By Per Scholas Atlanta staff

The economic downturn brought on by the Covid-19 Pandemic has often been called the “She-session” due to the huge negative impact it has brought on women in the workforce. In addition, the percentage of women in the Tech workforce remains woefully low, with only 26% of computer-related jobs being filled by women. Yet, this is one of the fastest growing and best paying career fields for women, with computer related jobs expected to grow by 19% through 2026 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

However, with the pandemic resulting in so many school closings, as well as losses of jobs in foodservice and hospitality, which have a higher percentage of women, many women have been left with little choice but to stay home to care for their families.

Changing these dynamics will be critical to ensuring women regain a foothold in the growing tech economy, as well as increasing diversity in the technology industry as our nation starts to recover from the pandemic. Per Scholas Atlanta now has a solution to this dilemma by partnering with Nana Grants, which provides grants for child care for those in our training. Per Scholas Atlanta’s Managing Director, Tracey Palmer, stated, “Per Scholas solves the tuition hurdle by offering free courses, but the cost of child care is still a challenge for many of our prospective students.” This Nana Grants Partnership bridges the gap for those women who seek a career in the tech industry that didn’t have the means to do so due to child care cost and availability. Now, women in the Atlanta metro area don’t have to make the difficult decision between staying at home and giving up their dreams in order to provide for their families.

One example of a woman in the Atlanta area who has started a tech career with the support of Per Scholas is Shante Austin. She is a native Georgian who always knew she wanted to work in technology from when she built her own computer at the age of ten. Unsure of how that would happen later in life, she found an opportunity to enter the tech field with Per Scholas, where she made that lifelong dream her reality.  Here at Per Scholas, we provide tech skills training and access to employer networks to individuals often excluded from tech careers and envision a tech workforce as diverse as the customers it serves. Through rigorous and tuition-free technology training, as well as professional development, we were able to open a pathway for Shante to gain access to a successful career in the high growth technology field. 

Per Scholas’ impact on Shante didn’t stop at her graduation, as it also connected her to a network of employers, resulting in a career opportunity as a Software Engineer.  Shante currently serves on Per Scholas Atlanta’s Advisory Board as she continues to work with us to impact the lives of many others here in Atlanta who are considering a career in technology, but aren’t sure how to get started.  For twenty-five years, Per Scholas has stood by our mission to advance economic equity through rigorous training for tech careers and connect skilled talent to leading businesses. Now, Shante is paving the way for others who follow her. Reflecting on her experience with Per Scholas, Shante stated, “When I started at Per Scholas, it challenged me, and though it wasn’t easy, it was worth it. I graduated debt-free and found a great job, and I’m proud to be an example to my daughter.” 

Shante’s relationship with Per Scholas continues past her first job after graduation, as it does for so many Per Scholas graduates.  In fact, Per Scholas continues to connect with and support their graduates for up to two years after graduation.  All Per Scholas learners and graduates are provided with access to a career coach for continued professional development beyond graduation. Shante is now paying it forward, and with her help, our Atlanta campus will continue to provide top employers with access to our highly-trained and motivated talent pool. For more information on Per Scholas Atlanta and stories like Shante’s, visit our website and see what courses we have to offer!