Alumni Stories: Ernest Pough

Ernest’s journey at Resilient Coders exemplifies our organization’s lasting impact on our alumni’s lives and careers. As a veteran and former RC student, Ernest continues to leverage his experience to navigate the challenging tech job market while pursuing further education. His story highlights the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in the ever-evolving tech industry.

After completing the RC program, Ernest found himself at a crossroads when layoffs clouded his career horizon, but he saw an opportunity where others might have seen defeat. “As much as I was just kind of applying without having a degree, I realized just to have a bigger market to actually be able to apply in, I might as well at least finish and pursue it,” Ernest explains. This decision led him to enroll in a degree program, taking advantage of various resources and scholarships to continue his education without incurring debt.

Ernest’s approach to his studies is deeply influenced by his experience at RC. He notes, “Now knowing what I know, the skills that I have now, I feel like it’s making it easy in terms of leveraging when I need to take something serious versus not wasting my time.” This clarity allows him to navigate his coursework efficiently, emphasizing practical skills and industry connections over the siren song of perfect grades.

The RC community continues to play a significant role in Ernest’s professional development. He’s a regular at Ascend Career Huddles and networking events, and generously volunteers his time to help current students and other alumni. “I’ve probably lost count of having random alumni reach out to me, just from my transition process,” he shares. This ongoing engagement emphasizes our vision of RC as a community that alumni continuously return to throughout their entire career for guidance, an inclusive comradery, and opportunity.

Ernest’s story shines as a beacon of the resilience and adaptability fostered by RC. As he charts new waters in education and career paths, he exemplifies RC’s ethos of continuous growth and community support. His journey inspires current and future students, proving that with the right skills, mindset, and community, one can transform challenges into stepping stones for success in the tech industry.

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