For Errol de Jesus, curiosity has always been a guiding force. Originally from Houston, she followed that curiosity to St. Paul, Minnesota for college, where she studied Japanese and international studies. During this time, she earned the opportunity of a lifetime: a human resources (HR) internship in Tokyo, Japan. “It opened my eyes to so much about culture and life,” says Errol, “It really shaped how I see the world. It was life-changing.”
After returning to the U.S., Errol pursued and built a career in creative work, including copywriting, branding, and translation services across multiple languages. After years of building a creative career while raising her son, Errol entered her 30s looking for greater stability and a new professional challenge.
“I wanted to learn something new,” says Errol, “and I also wanted stability.” Errol began experimenting with technology. Just as she had learned new languages, she approached technology the same way, starting with CompTIA A+. A former mentor introduced her to cybersecurity and ethical hacking, which quickly solidified her decision to pursue a career in IT.
Ready to take the next step, Errol connected with IT Career Lab through National Able Network. At IT Career Lab, not only was the training engaging and accessible, but the instructor demystified the tech field in a down-to-earth way that was genuinely career-focused.
The program also provided her with a laptop, which made it possible for her to fully participate in coursework and continue building her technical skills. “That laptop was a lifesaver,” Errol says. For someone with a creative background, there were aspects of the transition into technology that felt surprisingly familiar. “It’s like learning any creative medium,” Errol explains, “Whether you’re crocheting, painting, or drawing, you first have to learn the tools and get comfortable exploring. Technology works the same way.”
Errol successfully earned both the CompTIA A+ certification and the CCST cybersecurity certification. The structure of IT Career Lab extended beyond technical skills. Using tools like Windows PowerShell and LibreOffice Calc, she tracked her progress and made sustainable decisions throughout her job search. Errols says, “Once I’d reached 20 applications in a day, the data gave me permission to stop, study, and pick up the search later.”
Her hard work and determination paid off! Errol kickstarted her brand-new IT career as a Software Support Analyst. She works in a fully remote role in the tech field, supporting software users and continuing to grow within the industry. The flexibility of remote work has made an especially meaningful difference for Errol’s family. As a single parent raising a child with autism, having a stable career and the ability to work from home provides both financial stability and the flexibility needed to support daily routines.
Although the career path may be different from the creative work of the past, Errol sees many connections between the two worlds. “There’s still creativity in technology,” Errol explains. “And there’s a human side to it, too. You’re helping people solve problems. Joining IT Career Lab was one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
Looking back on the journey, Errol encourages others who may be considering a career change to stay curious and open to new possibilities. “Determine what you want for yourself,” Errol says, “Then just do it!”