Meet Our New IT Career Lab Director: Lauren

Lauren brings years of experience in workforce development, where her focus has always been helping people find their path. Starting as a Career Coach and growing into leadership roles, she has built her career around guiding individuals toward meaningful opportunities. Over the past eight years, her work has also connected closely with the tech industry, leading her into this role at IT Career Lab.

Lauren describes her journey into workforce development as something she “fell into,” but quickly realized it was where she belonged.

While working with job seekers, she saw a growing demand for IT certifications and began exploring how those credentials open doors for individuals. Even without a formal IT background, she leaned in — building her knowledge, learning hands-on skills, and staying curious about how quickly the industry continues to evolve.

IT Career Lab is designed to do more than just train — it prepares individuals for real careers in technology. Through industry-recognized certifications and hands-on learning, participants build the skills employers are actively looking for.

What sets the program apart is its connection to opportunity. Beyond training, participants receive direct support with resumes, interviews, and job placement, along with access to employer partners — helping bridge the gap between learning and employment.

Lauren is focused on growth — both for the program and the people it serves. She is already evaluating current training offerings and identifying ways to expand and adapt them to meet the changing demands of the tech industry.

Her goal is to reach more individuals and help them confidently step into careers in IT.

When asked about trends, Lauren pointed to AI as one of the most important shifts happening right now. While the field is still evolving, she sees it as something that will continue to shape the future of IT and the opportunities within it.

Lauren encourages people to take a thoughtful approach — to explore the field, understand what it requires, and make sure it aligns with their interests.

“Take a chance. It’s worth the effort and time to commit to training and build your confidence.”

For Lauren, success is seeing someone with no IT background complete the program, gain confidence, and step into a new career.

It’s also about the ripple effect — when individuals succeed, they bring that knowledge back to their communities and encourage others to take that same step forward.

Lauren enjoys using tools like Co-pilot for brainstorming and problem-solving, especially when she needs help getting started.