(upbeat music)
- We have a one million
person shortfall
in computer science
talent in this nation.
We are addressing that problem
by creating a barrier
free environment
for people to come in and
learn and on ramp their skills.
People are already coming
here for digital basics.
So we developed this
Rhode Coder program.
I'm a mother of four children
and after running a
successful daycare business
I made the decision to
return to the workforce
outside of the home.
And I've always been a patron
of this beautiful library.
And I was intrigued by
the technology classes
in a time where
technology is such
an important part
of any workplace.
- I really didn't
have the job I wanted.
With the opportunities
that I wanted.
With the money that I wanted.
So I was looking for
something that would
bring me to the next thing
that I would do in life.
- You may not
realize, but you have
really special gifts here.
And if you have a
passion and desire
to move into this as a career,
we can help support and help you
build your skills and
then make the bridges
into more formal coding
programs for you.
- The third class
that I took with Don
was a Data Navigators course.
And I've always been
fascinated with social studies
and particular studies
that look at data
for policy changes,
for advocacy work,
that I have also
done in the past.
- Rhode Coders and
Data Navigators
were able to take
me from unemployed
to learning about a new career
that really piqued my interests.
And now I'm involved
with a part-time
nine month cohort
called Career Debs.
And in the meantime, through
taking Data Navigators,
I was also able to
get a full time job
at a local consulting firm and
now I'm currently
working on a project
with a government agency
working with Tableau software.
- The world is changing so fast.
Technology is changing so fast.
And it's hard to know where
to go in the community.
Particularly if you
don't have the funds
that you would want to
commit until you know
that's something you want to do.
- I'm very proud that
I was able to complete
the three courses
with Don Gregory.
The experience
helped me figure out
where I felt most
comfortable and
what I wanted to do
with the knowledge
I that I gained
from those classes.
- These classes were
able to teach me skills
that made me valuable
to employers.
So, at the same time, I can
pursue my creative interests,
but I can also work on projects
that could really
wow an employer, you
know, with my skills.
- It's more than just tech.
It's more than just job.
They have this heartfelt passion
that they wanna
better their lives.
(upbeat music)
