Success Has Many Shapes

Arlonzo Scott emerged from a brief period of incarceration determined to find a new direction. With a prison record, he knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but as his peers would say, he is “unbreakable, consistent, and determined.”

When he joined the Urban Tech Jobs Program at the Indianapolis Urban League, Alonzo wanted to be part of the future of work so he chose the field Information Technology; an industry in high demand and in which people of color are underrepresented.

He successfully completed training for his Amazon Web Service (AWS) certification and enrolled in an externship at New Beginnings Computer Training to gain experience on the job. Arlonzo said he is now well-equipped to do whatever it takes to overcome any previous barriers.

He has been encouraged by the stories of other formerly incarcerated or convicted individuals enrolled in programs at the Indianapolis Urban League, and he’s learned how to discuss his past with confidence and seek out employers who provide second chances to qualified individuals.

Result

Arlonzo is working on achieving CompTIA A+ certification to enhance his Industry Recognized Credential, and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Informatics at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis. His ultimate goal is to work for Google as a Coder.

With the support of staff and fellow classmates, Arlonzo is confident of his future success, and is willing to do whatever it takes. He will attempt to have his record expunged when he is able to do so, because he knows that will greatly increase his chances of getting his dream job.

By National Urban League
Published12 PM EST, Wed Nov 20, 2024