Dashawn Brownley

As a high school student with high hopes for an athletic future, Dashawn’s path was redirected when he discovered he was going to be a father. After a string of unsuccessful jobs, he decided to enroll in an IT training program that helped him secure an entry-level IT position. Motivated by his desire to provide financial stability for his family, Dashawn searched for additional technical training and credentialing opportunities that would help position him for a high-wage career. That’s when he found NPower.

Dashawn Brownley was caught in a vicious cycle of unfulfilling, dead-end jobs with no clear direction for his future. During a moment of clarity, he realized that he didn’t want to continue down this path and needed to make a change for himself and his family. Recalling his keen interest in technology, Dashawn made the decision to turn that spark of passion into a career. He discovered and enrolled in NPower Maryland’s Tech Fundamentals Program and credits the quality training, the instructor support, the professional development, and the career guidance to what made the difference in his journey.

“Thank you for making NPower possible, you’re helping young individuals get to the next level for their family and to provide for that family. It’s not just a gift, it’s bigger – it’s something way bigger.”

Dashawn has taken full advantage of this opportunity and is currently enrolled in NPower’s National Cybersecurity Program. He continues to remain open for additional opportunities for continued learning through NPower. Dashawn continues to grow as an emerging tech leader within the Baltimore community as an active NPower alumni ambassador sharing his journey to inspire others that tech can be a career possibility and in his role at Under Armour as an Information Technology Help Desk Analyst.

Earlier this year, Dashawn was recognized as a Rising Star NPower Alumni Honoree for his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the State of Maryland’s technology industry at NPower Maryland’s inaugural Tech Leaders Salute Luncheon.

Isabella Gravina

Prior to being at NPower she was working as a receptionist at a surgery center. Isabella was stuck and had no idea what she wanted to do in the long run career wise. As she was doing some reflection, she realized that she was extremely passionate and interested in technology. Initially Isabella did not consider a career in IT because she thought that it was limited to software development. After researching, she realized that she could find her niche in tech.

“I just needed guidance and fundamental knowledge of the field. I found NPower after a close friend of mine recommending it to me. He spoke greatly about his experience, and I knew I wanted to get involved in it too.

The biggest challenge that she had while in the program was managing her time effectively. While going through NPower she was working full time. Dedicating time to NPower, studying for certifications and working forty hours a week was very difficult. She had to make NPower a priority, and even when she wanted to quit because she was exhausted, she kept going. She knew that completing the program could set her up for a very prosperous future.

“Nothing worth working for would come easy, so if I really wanted to start my career, I would work hard and make the most out of NPower while I was enrolled.

A short time later, she was talking to a friend who recently landed a role in the tech industry.  She told him she was interested in the same career field and wanted to know how he did it.  He told her about NPower and she was so excited, she signed up for the tech fundamentals program right away.  She was able to acquire all the necessary tech skills, along with the professional development needed to break into the tech industry. Isabella graduated from the program and quickly landed a position at investment management company, T. Rowe Price.  When she told her parents, it was a full-circle moment and one she will never forget. 

Her advice to future trainees would be to make sure you make the most out of your NPower experience and remember why you started in the first place.

“I have had incredible opportunities for networking and job searching, not to mention – certifications for FREE and guidance from the incredible teaching, professional development, and social support staff. Focusing on why you applied to the program will definitely help you get through those really tough days where you really don’t feel like attending class or dressing up for professional development, etc. Keep your eyes on the prize and NPower can be a really fruitful experience for you like it was for me!

AT&T Launches Community-Based Digital Navigators

NPower is excited to partner with AT&T to launch Community Helpdesks in St. Louis and Dallas this summer. We are committed to serving these communities to bridge the digital divide. This is so important to us as according to a 2020 survey conducted by Deutsche Bank, 76% of Black respondents and 62% of Hispanic respondents feel unprepared for jobs that require digital skills. This could stem from not having reliable access to the Internet, owning faulty tools or hardware, or not knowing enough to troubleshoot errors. The solution we’re providing is training a select group of our NPower students to become Digital Navigators and mobilizing them to serve their respective communities to get everyone connected!

Read more from AT&T here

Veterans offered free cyber training to fill demand for workers

From wmar2news: “There are more than 20,000 unfilled cyber roles in Maryland,” said Kendra Parlock, the Vice President of Partnership Development for NPower. “The White House/DHS are warning us every day about the heightened risk of cyber-attacks.”

NPower Partners with Tessco on New Initiative to Build on its Mission

From Release News: The nonprofit tech training program, NPower, and TESSCO Technologies Incorporated (NASDAQ: TESS), a leading value-added distributor to the wireless infrastructure construction industry, have announced a partnership to create economic prosperity by launching digital careers for young adults from underserved communities and military veterans.