San Ramon — Graduates of a free career training program focused on black and Latinx communities facing high unemployment rates believe transitioning to software sales is for professional growth and family stability He says it changed his life.
In an uncertain job market with several tech companies announcing layoffs for 2022, Re:Work Training Bay Area highlights sectors with many opportunities.
John Costa, Principal Developer at Five9 Inc. and Re:Work alumnus, said: “If you are willing to learn and willing to change, you will definitely succeed in this field.”
Costa graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Political Science in 2020 and has a child. There he got his first job as a delivery truck driver.
A friend told him about Re:Work in 2022, and he signed up for the eight-week program. He took lessons every Saturday, and every other Sunday, he would role-play scenarios for students in his course to help them work in the tech sales industry.
“There was no other way,” he said of his life and career before starting the program. It will affect those around you, those you love most.”
Re:Work, a new program from the nonprofit All Stars Helping Kids, has already qualified 35 candidates for tech jobs. Candidates do not need a college degree, but must be at least 18 years of age. Many graduates have seen their salary increase by more than 100% of hers. Some have more than tripled her income, according to Re:Work.
“It was difficult financially to take care of my daughter, and I wasn’t there mentally, so it would have been difficult to be a father who needed to be there for my daughter.” Not only has it given me the opportunity to work with you, but I have met some wonderful friends, lifelong friends.”
After completing the program, he and his girlfriend left the city and found a home to raise their young daughter. He has the flexibility to work from home on certain days when he is not at his Five9 campus in San Ramon. Costa’s manager says he fits in well with the company and sees the benefits of Re:Work.
“He ticked all those boxes, but it’s clear he comes to work and wants to do his job better,” said Taylor Brewster, sales development manager at Five9 and supervisor at Costa. “I think it shows in their work ethic, their willingness to learn and prove more: ‘I belong here.'”
Brewster said the program’s lessons are consistent with what Five9 and other companies are looking for when hiring new employees. He also wants others to try a similar transition like Costa’s, and when he’s ready he’ll take a tech job.
“The job market is scary. I’ve been job hunting, and job hunting has never been easy or easy,” Brewster said. “You have to put yourself out there and try your best and go for what you really want.”
A few months into her new job, Costa’s mental health improved and she was able to spend more time with her daughter. When she was born, he could only take her four days of parental leave before returning to her job. Spending more time with her is a great incentive, but her increased income also means I can buy her birthday gifts that I couldn’t afford before. A gift he didn’t appreciate when he was a kid.
“It’s life-changing. 100% life-changing. I’m blessed,” Costa said.
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All Stars Helping Kids | Re:Work: Training
Sean Chitnis
