Audience: Voices

Tamires is a mother of a baby boy named Theo and a graduate of the program “Juntos,” a bootcamp for people of color, run by Generation Brazil with support from McKinsey & Company, including in-kind advisory services and cash grants to help promote diversity and inclusion.

THE OPPORTUNITY IN TECH

In the midst of the global pandemic, Tamires and her husband, a professional barber, became unemployed. A friend of Tamires learned about Generation Brazil and their work to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers. Tamires was interested in the opportunity to enter the technology sector, because she saw that the sector is attracting more and more women (even though they still represent only 20% of the workforce according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE)).

For her, the bootcamp wasn’t easy. “It was an everyday challenge, as the classes are from 8 am to 5 pm, and it was very intense. I could not afford to pay the primary school fees for my son, and the nurseries were closed, but I had a support network,” she comments. She seized the opportunity to learn a new profession. Although she thought about giving up several times, she persevered and finished the program.

THE JOB-SEEKING SAGA

Generation Brazil connected her to employers, and she reached out herself as well. Through her hard work on LinkedIn, she scheduled several interviews. In a single week, Tamires had more than five interviews, resulting in receiving an offer one month after graduating from the Generation bootcamp. Today, she works as a developer in Serasa Experian’s technology center in São Paulo.

THE ROLE OF TECH IN SOCIETY

Tamires believes the tech sector has an important part to play in addressing social issues. “To me, [the tech sector] has a fundamental role in social inclusion of women, single parents, people with disabilities, people of color and the LGBTQIA+. This is the only way to ensure dignity for others facing similar disadvantages,” explains Tamires.

An Immigration Dream Interrupted by COVID

Faisa learned English at the age of 12, when her family immigrated to the UK from Somalia. Her mother was focused on education for her girls, and Faisa and her older sister were the first in the family to graduate from university.

Faisa was proud to obtain a degree in business management, something she had a strong interest in. But, shortly after graduating, the pandemic gripped the country, and along with it, the job market. So, she found herself in a never-ending job search with increasingly dim prospects.

The pressure to secure employment was mounting. “You start feeling doubt about yourself, about your skills, and really about your worth as a human.”

A Dream to Help the Planet

During the pandemic, Faisa began to learn more and more about climate change and took a serious interest in the topic. She wondered how she might apply the skills she learned while studying for her degree in business management in the burgeoning green economy.

One day, while researching opportunities in the green sector, she found Generation. It felt like the sort of thing she had been looking for. “Everything started from there,” she told us.

The growth-mindset curriculum and the help she received for the interview preparation and resume development were crucial forms of support for her. In addition to the technical skills she learned, she also received support in reframing her resume for a green sector opportunity. “Generation was with me every step of the way,” she told us.

Planetary and Personal Sustainability

She landed a role in a company she felt aligned perfectly with her values, just three months after graduating. “A very short time for me,” she told us.Today, not only does she have a sustainable income, but a career with purpose. “I definitely see myself improving not just in this company but in the whole sector, because I think the energy sector really provides great opportunities!”

Living on the Edge

Jeisson earned an undergraduate degree in engineering in Colombia, but realized after graduating that his future career prospects in his home country were dim. The jobs he found offered low pay and long hours – and he began to get sick as a result of poor working conditions.  

He took advantage of a government program to earn a master’s degree in Australia, and realized the quality of life there was much better. So, he began to look for pathways to citizenship. But upon graduating, he could not find work in his field, because he didn’t have any local working experience. The only work he could find was in the hospitality industry. 

He needed work not only to survive but to send money back home to support his mom and his two nieces. “I’m from a humble family. My income in hospitality was not much, but I was the main supporter for my family members back home,” he told us.

Then COVID hit, and the hospitality industry completely shut down. He suffered a long period of unemployment, and because he was not yet an Australian citizen, he was not eligible for any government support. He hustled the best way he could in those dire circumstances in order to survive – cutting expenses to the bare minimum, offering tutoring services when he could, and relying on local mutual aid groups for any support they could provide. “I was really living on the edge,” he told us. “Sometimes I would have just one meal a day.”  

Turning Adversity Into Opportunity

Jeisson, being a very resourceful individual, began to see the explosion in technology, which was fueled by remote work. He realized there may be opportunities there, and so he rolled-up his sleeves and began to research what kinds of jobs are available in the tech world. That’s when he found Generation’s Cloud Computing program. 

Unable to afford basic expenses, let alone an expensive training program, the fact that Generation was free was essential to him. 

“What I enjoyed the most about the program was the human component; the fact that you have people supporting you: the teachers, the mentors, the tutors,” said Jeisson. Finally, he wasn’t alone on his journey. He had the support of an entire team of professionals helping to land him a career with future prospects and a sustainable salary. 

Starting a Career in Tech

In just three months after graduating, Jeisson had found a job as a technology consultant at DB Solutions. 

His salary is more than he’s ever earned before. He moved to a new apartment, and began to live a life free of worries about how to pay rent, internet and gas. He can now easily enjoy a meal out with friends or colleagues, and save for the future. 

Crucially, he told us, “I’m able to support my family in a much better way, and without being worried that if I support them, then I wouldn’t have enough for my own needs.”

Recently, his mom had a health issue, “but because we were finally able to put her on good insurance, now she’s fine,” he told us. 

Jeisson plans to grow his career in technology and has a vision to eventually use his skills for social good, to help people in need, and pay forward the help he has received from Generation. 

A single mom of two boys, and more recently, caring for her aging father, Nadirah hasn’t stopped working a day in her life. She was a manicurist for 15 years, a job that only offered her one day off per week (Sunday), and very low pay. She liked the work, but it felt unsustainable. She worked all through holidays, even Christmas. In the final years before her kids would leave home, she wanted to spend more time with them. “I knew I needed a change,” she told us.

Finding Inspiration During the Pandemic

During the pandemic, she was inspired by healthcare workers rallying to their communities. She realized this would be a perfect field for her to transition into. 

She researched options and chose Patient Services Associate as a role to aim for. That’s when she found Generation.

While there were other programs for this line of work, Generation offered a shorter program duration and was free of charge – two crucial factors since her family relied on her income. 

Working in a Meaningful Job

Nadirah very quickly found work in the emergency department of a local hospital, exactly the kind of role she had hoped for. 

“I like helping people. A lot of family members would come, and they’d get very nervous. But, you talk to them, you help them, and they’re thankful. It’s a meaningful job.”

Her salary is also much higher now. She recently planned a vacation for her and the kids, something that hadn’t been possible in a very long time.

“I’m living more comfortably now. I’m in a stable place, financially. My kids see me a lot more at home now, so they are happy,” she told us.

In the dynamic and competitive landscape of the job market, individuals often face formidable obstacles when seeking employment. This is especially true for women navigating career gaps or transitions. Aqsa, a graduate of Generation Australia’s Data Analytics Program, shares her insights into the challenges faced by women in securing jobs and the transformative impact of the program in breaking these barriers and reshaping careers, particularly in the dynamic tech industry.

Overcoming Barriers to Employment

Aqsa sheds light on the challenges she faced, stating, “Employers are still reluctant to put their trust in women with employment gaps and with little experience in the field. It’s about time we normalise career gaps/career change and open-heartedly give second chances to women trying to make a comeback.” 

Empowering Women in the Tech Industry

To facilitate improved career opportunities for women in Australia, especially in the tech industry, Aqsa advocates for tangible steps. She asserts, “We need to make it easy and doable. We need more success stories/role models. We need to change the concept that it’s hard for a woman to thrive in the tech industry. We need to establish a support system for women who are interested in starting a career in tech. Education to employment programs and training along with mentorship and coaching (similar to Generation Australia’s programs).” Aqsa highlights the importance of tangible support systems and the need to challenge preconceived notions about women thriving in tech.

Navigating the Dynamic Tech Industry

Expressing her hopes for the future of her career, Aqsa adds, “The tech industry is dynamic. I am passionate to learn and grow. I hope I continue getting opportunities where I can make the most of my skills and abilities and at the same time, I am given a chance to challenge myself. Generation Australia has laid a solid foundation for me to build and navigate my career. I have the confidence that I have acquired the right skills to work in a Data Analyst role and I can still reach out to Generation Australia for advice and support.” 

The Impact of Generation Australia

Asked why she chose to apply for the program, she reveals, “I got to know about the program through a friend. At the time I was trying to re-enter the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom for many years. I was also trying to transition from a career in banking and finance to a career in technology. I was struggling to get my foot in the door. Generation Australia delivers education-to-employment programs that support people facing barriers to employment. It includes preparation, placement, and ongoing support. That’s everything I needed to restart.” Aqsa’s insights articulate her personal challenges and how Generation Australia’s comprehensive programs addressed her specific needs.

Transformative Learnings

Aqsa’s biggest takeaway from the program is encapsulated in her words: “The biggest takeaway for me is the shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. I learned how important it is to take every experience as a learning opportunity. Rather than being afraid of failure and change, one should embrace it. Learning from mistakes is the key when it comes to developing skills, confidence building, performance as a team, and overall career progression and advancement.” 

Post-Graduation Success

Reflecting on the changes since graduating, she states, “Everything! It sounds cliché but it’s true! Generation has changed my life for the better! I started working with Accenture as a PMO/Junior data analyst just a few days after graduating from the DA program. From there things started working out for me! I am financially independent now. My self-esteem and confidence have improved. I can choose and make decisions for myself without looking unto others for approval. The way I look at myself has changed. It’s like a solid foundation has been laid for success in my new career.” 

In expressing gratitude, Aqsa acknowledges the pivotal role played by Generation Australia and extends thanks to everyone associated with the program. She recognises that this transformative journey would not have been possible without the invaluable help and support she received from the dedicated team at Generation Australia.

Growing Up in Rural India

Pritam grew up as an only child in a small village a few hours from Kolkata. His father was a farmer, and money was tight. In recent years, his father’s income had become especially limited due to poor farming conditions.

His parents invested in his college education, but could not pay the fees to cover government exams and other advanced education that is required for many professional jobs. In addition, given that most people in the village were farmers, there was a big information gap. Pritam simply didn’t know what he should major in, and how to translate any higher education into a profitable career later on.

Hard Life in Kolkata

Feeling the urgency to generate some income and help his parents, 2 days after graduating college Pritam set off to Kolkata to find his fortune. He found a job quickly at a hotel, but quickly realized the work was grueling.

He earned 8,000 rupees a month ($95 USD), of which he sent 6,000 rupees back home to his parents, leaving him with very little for his own basic expenses. He shared a “jhopdi,” a kind of informally constructed, makeshift shack, with five others. The physical strain the work entailed by itself was more than he could handle – not to mention his complete lack of free time, as he was working from late at night until early morning. In addition, the hotel staff would rouse him at night to complete various tasks, and he became increasingly stressed and sleep deprived.

After 2 years, he couldn’t go on any further. He quit this job and moved back home to live with his parents in the village, wondering what he might do next.

A Fortuitous Phone Call

6 months later, he received a phone call from Generation India based on a form he had completed at a government employment center earlier.

He was invited to participate in the Customer Care Executive training program, and he eagerly signed up. At Generation, he learned crucial business communication skills, typing skills, and the core mindset needed to navigate the corporate world.

A New Path

After the program, Pritam’s first interview through Generation India landed him a job at mPokket.

The differences were clear. He now earns twice what he did in his previous job in the hotel. He works no more than 8 hours a day in an air-conditioned office. He was given health insurance, sick days, and regular breaks. And vitally, he sees opportunities for advancement in his role. At his current company, there is a clear structure for how promotions can be attained and how one can grow in their career.

In his early twenties, Pritam is still at the beginning of his journey. And now there is new hope for the future. With a better income, Pritam is able to comfortably send money home, cover his own living expenses, and put money away with a clear goal in mind: to build a sturdy house where he and his parents can live comfortably. For Pritam, Generation was a bridge to a better life.

In his words, “Generation showed me a way when I was lost. Now, I have direction. Generation has changed my life considerably.”

The Need to Upskill

Sharon had been in content writing and development for over two decades. In the last few years, before Generation, she worked as a freelancer. The work was already not going so well as clients were increasingly looking to hire people with more technical skills than Sharon possessed at the time. When the pandemic came in 2020, “the business almost entirely dried up,” she told us. She took on odd jobs and her partner shouldered more of the financial burdens of the household. She was barely scraping by and longed for more stability, and to be once again engaged and passionate about the work she’s doing.

The worst part of it all was feeling like she “didn’t have a place in the workforce anymore, being afraid of being left behind.” Sharon knew she needed to upskill.

Bridging the Skills Gap

Generation has partnered with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), a government initiative, and Microsoft, to help midcareer professionals like Sharon upskill in technology and find new careers that sustain their future.

Sharon was a perfect candidate for the DevOps program, which she found via the SSG website. She was motivated, eager to learn, and excited to try a new career. She did well in the program, and then took on the challenge of an intensive 6 month apprenticeship that Generation placed her in, that helped solidify her skills even further.

A New Beginning

She began job searching during her apprenticeship, with help from Generation, and soon found the role she’s in today, serving as DevOps Engineer for Olea Global. She has the stability she was longing for, as well as an exciting career that she can continue to grow in for years to come.

“The tech world moves so fast and that’s what excites me about it. I feel quite blessed to be where I am today.”

First steps in the tech sector

Carolina lived with her family in Ubala, a small town in Colombia. They later moved to Bogota, where she finished high school right before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s when she took her first steps into tech learning about software analysis and development. While scrolling through her Instagram feed, she ran into an ad from Generation Colombia’s Java Development program. “I first hesitated and wondered if it was truly for free, so I kept looking for more information, and after that I realized it was perfect for me, so I applied,” she told us.

Learning to trust herself

Carolina found that the support she received from Generation during the program was very valuable for her, not only for the technical skills she acquired, but also for the behavioral skills. She was able to increase her self-confidence, learn how to work better in a team, and develop a growth mindset. “Generation provided me with the support I needed to know that I can trust myself and my skill set no matter my gender or where I’ve studied,” she explained.

Kickstarting a promising career

Upon graduation, she was thrilled when she found out that she was accepted to join Bancolombia, a full-service financial institution. Now, at 21 years old, when she is reflecting on her Generation experience, Carolina highlights the growth opportunities she was able to access: “Generation helps you develop the hard and soft skills you need in the tech market,” she said.

Low Income, High Energy

A single mom, Natalia was already in the professional world — working as a property manager while completing a masters program in business administration. But her salary was “not commensurate with a professional career” and she struggled with basic expenses like the bus fare for her commute to work, rent and utilities, and nutritious meals for her growing son.

Natalia routinely functioned on five or six hours of sleep a night, working her day job, attending classes, and caring for her son. Her greatest struggle was in keeping her son from internalizing her burdens, so that he could thrive in the joyful childhood she worked tirelessly to facilitate.

“Living in a constant state of scarcity is very hard. For example, when it comes to food you have to be very careful about what you buy to conserve your spending as much as possible. Our nutrition was extremely limited,” she shared.

The Pandemic, A Blessing in Disguise

It was in the lonely, home-bound hours of the pandemic that Natalia discovered coding. She was quite surprised to discover both a strong fascination and a knack for it, and she used her boundless energy to participate in various hackathons, as well as to embark on a new quest for self-guided learning.

In the course of her research on programming, Natalia became intrigued with Unity, and as she sought to find out more about the world’s largest gaming platform she encountered an ad for Generation.

“It felt like this was my answer!” she said. She dreamed of being able to do something she felt truly passionate about, have the potential of working from home so she could care for her son, and improve her financial situation.

A Worry-Free Life

A mere three months after graduating from Generation Colombia’s Game Developer program in 2023, Natalia got a job as a front-end developer with World Office Colombia, leveraging her newfound skills from Generation (including resume and interview skills), and some of her prior coding experience.

One of the best things about her job is the chance to work remotely – a rarity in Bogota, saving her up to four hours a day on commuting, and gaining that time back to spend with her son.

She told us, “My job is amazing. My quality of life has massively improved. I can improve my son’s quality of life; for example, I can pay for his school, improve our nutrition. And I still have money left over to be able to help my parents financially and my grandmother.

Generation changed everything. It changed my way of thinking. It changed my whole point of view of what’s possible, and it enabled me to dream much bigger and to be able to fulfill those dreams. It’s been a huge blessing!”

Where is Natalia now?

Natalia’s stable employment has enabled her to further her studies. Currently, she is completing a specialized degree in Artificial Intelligence, while also planning to further her education by studying software engineering and cloud computing. These studies have in turn helped Natalia to develop in her job, where she is coordinating a project she helped develop.

A decade of searching

Ana Sofia began university at age 17, and decided to study architecture. When she graduated, she was eager to begin her career and help her family with household expenses. But despite years of effort, she could not find work in that field.

She took odd jobs wherever she could, mostly lower paid, half-time jobs without benefits. For close to a decade, she went without sick leave and health insurance. “I was always counting money,” she shared. The work she was able to find was neither fulfilling nor enough to survive on.

When the pandemic hit, she was working as a sales person at an Italian flooring company. Her paycheck was cut in half, and she was still expected to work the same number of hours. “I started to panic.”

She was fortunate to receive an extraordinary degree of care and support from her family, but she didn’t want to rely on them. She began frantically looking for another job.

A lucky break during lockdown

One day while in lockdown at home, an old friend posted on Instagram that she had just gotten her dream job in tech. Ana Sofia hadn’t recalled this friend studying computer science in college, so she reached out to ask her how this had come about. The friend explained that she had taken a bootcamp in coding. Ana Sofia was intrigued, and began looking into training programs herself. But all the bootcamps she found online were too expensive and she simply didn’t have the cash on hand to pay the tuition.

An ad on Instagram for Generation caught her eye. She was shocked to learn that the program — including training, mentorship and support with job placement — was free.

Generation’s bootcamps in tech are rigorously designed to quickly get learners who are unfamiliar with technology ready to hit the ground running in an entry-level role. When Ana Sofia first started the course, a set of familiar insecurities surfaced. “What if I wasn’t cut out to be an architect and I’m not cut out for this either?,” the little voice in her head whispered.

Generation’s behavioral and mindset curriculum was created to help learners who have the skills and work ethic to manage the challenges of a transition, to build confidence in a new profession. Ana Sofia relied on her mentor, who taught her about growth mindset. As the course progressed a simple truth became more manifest: that no one is good at something they’re just beginning to learn, but that over time you can scaffold your knowledge and build true fluency and expertise in a new field.

“You don’t have to compare yourself to others. You just compare yourself against yourself. If I know more today than I did yesterday, then that’s progress.”

Growth mindset in action

Upon graduating, Ana Sofia received two calls from prospective employers who had received her CV from Generation. In one of the phone interviews, she was asked a number of tough technical questions. She had to answer “I don’t know” and “no, I don’t have experience with that yet” for most of them.

She began to feel some anxiety, but she remembered her mentor’s voice. “Whatever you need me to learn, I will learn. That’s what I can promise you,” she told them confidently at the end of the interview. An hour later they called her back. She got the job.

Her supervisors at the new job are elated with her progress and see a bright future for her at the company. She has already progressed faster than expected, even though she’s only been with her current employer for 2 years. She is surrounded by savvy, caring and supportive colleagues who also want to see her succeed. She continues to grow in this role and loves her work.

She finally has a savings account, plans to travel, and no more worries about making ends meet day by day. She has health insurance and paid leave. Of her salary she says, “In technology, you start at a very high base and you just keep going up and up and up.”

She has always wanted to buy a home near the sea and retire there. Today, she is on a pathway to making this dream come true some day.

“I know this is kind of cheesy because so many people have said it, but for me it’s also true. Generation changed my life. At 30 years old, I feel like I’m 20 again. I am full of possibilities.”