</> tech bootcamp student spotlight-
Deloris Thompson

I am a Liberian immigrant, wife, and mother of two that was working part-time as a Cashier at a local supermarket while my mother-in-law was taking an Excel class and loving it. It was through that class that she learned about an HTML/CSS class and thought of me. The software development training I’ve taken has changed my life. It has opened doors I never expected. I now have mentors that have encouraged me to push beyond my wildest expectations; they see something in me that I never knew existed.

In classes, I constantly questioned why and not once did an instructor discourage my inquisitive. When I was referred to Tech Force for more hands-on training, I figured there was no way a female in her thirties would break into a tech career.  I understood tech to be a male-dominated industry, and that I need to obtain a degree.

Tech Force approved and funded my participation in Launch Academy and IEL’s </> tech bootcamp both are intense tech boot camps that consume at least forty hours of instruction. Every time I sought my mentors for suggestions on what to do they pushed me to try it all. Not only did I graduate from the program earlier than expected, but I gracefully managed to invest at least 40 hours a week, take care of my family, and work part-time. This time last year, I was working fifteen hours a week making minimum wage trying to figure where I was headed. Now I’m working full-time as a Junior Software Developer at The Mullings Group; I am living my wildest dreams.  I finally get to help provide for my family and have a career that challenges, encourages and makes me live my fullest potential.

I am so grateful for all of the amazing trainers, instructors, and mentors that started me down this fantastic life journey.