Graduate Profile: Juan Marquez
Apprenticeship
Juan Marquez is a 2022 graduate of ActivateWork's AWS Cloud Fundamentals bootcamp.
Juan Marquez’s path to career success is one of resilience, perseverance, and transformation. Diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of six and unfairly labeled a “slow learner,” he faced many challenges in school, pushing through countless obstacles and earning recognition for strong grades and perfect attendance.
But at 14, the loss of his father sent him into a downward spiral of missed school and lost focus. Later that year, Juan met his future wife and, as he began his junior year of high school, he learned he was going to become a father.
“I realized then that my dad would have wanted me to do better, so I turned things around and graduated high school, with my son in attendance.”
After graduation, Juan enrolled at Arapahoe Community College. Shortly after, his son became seriously ill, forcing him to leave school and work multiple jobs to cover a mountain of medical bills. To cope, he turned to drinking and partying, which strained his marriage and separated him from his family.
Juan’s Turning Point
Hitting rock bottom, Juan reached a turning point in 2018. With the support of his wife and mother-in-law, he got sober, rebuilt his life, and found steady work in IT at Aspen Systems, where he first got his foot in the door to learn hardware IT.
A couple of years later, when the COVID pandemic cost him that job, Juan poured his efforts into earning entry-level certifications through Linux in hopes of finding a job. Still struggling to find employment, he stumbled across an Indeed ad for ActivateWork’s tuition-free 15-week AWS Cloud Fundamentals bootcamp. Skeptical, but desperate, he took a chance.
“The ad said I could become an entry-level cloud specialist without spending a dime and earn a salary that I couldn’t believe,” he said. “It seemed too good to be true, but what did I have to lose?”
How ActivateWork Opened Doors to Opportunity for Juan
Juan attended ActivateWork’s AWS Cloud Fundamentals bootcamp with people across the U.S., many of whom had also been laid off from tech companies due to the pandemic. The one-off virtual program, due to the pandemic, gave him both technical training and career development tools, building his confidence to overcome the imposter syndrome he had grappled with his whole life.
“Collaborating with my peers took my learning even further as they showed me tips and tricks I never would have learned on my own,” he said.
In addition, Juan valued Career Development Fridays, where the class learned vital business skills, such as how to approach looking for a job, resume-building, and other soft skills that could apply to any job.
“This bootcamp was more than just the course and certification to me. I learned so many other business skills that I know can help me excel throughout my career.”
Juan’s Apprenticeship with Ping Identity
Graduating from the program in January 2022, Juan landed a DevOps apprenticeship with Ping Identity through ActivateWork’s network of employer partners. That apprenticeship quickly turned into a full-time role, propelling him from an entry-level income to a competitive salary as a DevOps professional.
“This apprenticeship took me to a whole new level. I had the opportunity to make more money than my family or generations before me have ever seen. It has completely changed the trajectory of our lives.”
A Bright New Future for Juan and His Family
Today, Juan continues to advance his skills in cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence through ActivateWork’s technical training partner, Per Scholas, while providing a stable, thriving home for his family. His perseverance has allowed his family to buy their first home and create a future that once seemed out of reach.
Juan’s story reflects the power of persistence, community support, and lifelong learning. He hopes his story can inspire others in the hearing loss and minority communities to never give up and keep pushing forward.
“It’s not always easy,” he said. “In fact, it can be very hard, but don’t ever give up.”
Graduate Profile: Ulises Aguilar Maturin
Apprenticeship
Uli Maturin is a graduate of ActivateWork's IT Support & Security Fundamentals course.
Before joining ActivateWork, Ulises (Uli) Aguilar Maturin was working in construction and HVAC—reliable work, but far from his passion.
A lifelong gamer with a natural curiosity for how technology works, Uli began self-studying for IT certifications and applying for jobs in tech. But without experience or industry connections, breaking in felt impossible. That changed when he found ActivateWork.
Through ActivateWork’s IT Support & Security Fundamentals bootcamp, Uli built a solid foundation in IT fundamentals and earned his CompTIA A+ certification—credentials he now puts to work as an IT Service Specialist at Janus Henderson.
Just as importantly, our career development training and personalized coaching supports helped him develop the essential professional skills that helped him stand out.
“My instructor emphasized the power of communication, even when you’re nervous,” he says. Mock interviews and constructive feedback prepared him to confidently land his role and opened the door to a fulfilling tech career.
Uli’s journey is a testament to what’s possible when potential meets opportunity. As he puts it:
“I couldn’t have gone to a better bootcamp than ActivateWork.”
Graduate Profile: Estevan Crispin
Apprenticeship
Estevan’s passion for technology and data has been a driving force throughout his life.
He pursued his interest academically at Colorado State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a minor in Music. During his time at university, Estevan also discovered a love for rugby, a sport he continues to enjoy and coach.
The blend of academic rigor and athletic discipline helped shape Estevan’s analytical skills, creativity, and teamwork abilities.
Throughout his career, Estevan has applied these skills across various roles in finance, education, and hospitality. His diverse background has equipped him with a unique perspective and a versatile skill set, making him adept at tackling complex challenges in different environments.
Seeking to align his career with his passion for technology, Estevan enrolled in ActivateWork’s bootcamp. The intensive program at ActivateWork honed Estevan’s technical skills, providing him with hands-on experience and a deep understanding of industry best practices.
Estevan utilized the program’s comprehensive resources, which included career coaching, peer support, and real-world projects. This environment not only enhanced his technical abilities but also built his confidence and problem-solving skills.
Upon graduating, Estevan began an apprenticeship with the Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT). In this role, he contributes to technological advancements and supports the people of Colorado. His work at OIT involves collaborating on innovative projects that leverage technology to improve public services and enhance community engagement.
Estevan’s story is a testament to the power of determination and the impact of lifelong learning. His diverse experiences, combined with the skills and knowledge gained from ActivateWork, make him a valuable asset to any organization.
Graduate Profile: Geraldine Alden
Apprenticeship
Originally from Peru, Geraldine moved to the United States in 2016 with a strong desire to secure a career in Cybersecurity or the IT field.
Technology has always been a hobby of Geraldine’s, something she enjoyed experimenting with for fun. But it wasn’t until she moved to the United States that she realized the significance of this field and the paths it offers.
When Geraldine moved to the United States, her transition to the professional world was not seamless, even though she had a university degree in Computer Networking and Cybersecurity. As a military spouse, frequent relocations added additional challenges to her job search. “Finding a job proved tough.
Companies were hesitant about my international work experience and the gap in my resume due to my family’s relocation.“ Frustrated but not deterred, Geraldine joined ActivateWork. Through the program, she gained practical experience, connected with professionals in the field, obtained her first CompTIA A+ certification, and participated in work-based learning programs at The Cybersecurity Center of the Metropolitan State University of Denver. These experiences led to an apprenticeship as a Security Analyst at Cyber Sainik.
“Reaching this point hasn’t been easy, but it’s just the beginning,” said Geraldine. “Every day presents new challenges and opportunities for growth in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Looking back, I’m grateful for the chance ActivateWork gave me to gain valuable experience and connections.”
Sam V. Kumar, CEO of CyberSainik: “Geraldine has been an invaluable asset to our team since joining CyberSainik as an apprentice. From day one, she has demonstrated a remarkable ability to grasp concepts quickly and apply them effectively to real-world scenarios. Geraldine’s growth throughout her apprenticeship journey has been truly impressive, and she’s proven herself to be an exceptional talent.”
Geraldine embodies the core principles of successful apprenticeships: offering individuals opportunities to excel while delivering substantial value to their teams and organizations.