Ellie Solorio | Web Content Designer

I was struggling career-wise because I never really felt fulfilled or challenged. I was interested in tech, but I had always thought you needed a degree to work in that field. And though I started community college, I never finished. 

Instead, I focused on work. I have a strong work ethic, and I’ve had positions in retail, was an elementary school librarian for a while, and most recently was an administrative assistant. But they’re not quite jobs that are applicable to a tech role, so I worried that a career change wouldn’t work out.

Then I found Skillcrush, and I realized that everything that you learned prior to getting into a tech job is always going to be valuable.

You're not going to look back and regret joining Skillcrush.

I chose to learn with Skillcrush because of the supportive community. It was very upbeat, instead of being intimidating. I know it’s difficult to find that around the web sometimes, and that’s the kind of place you want to be, a place where you know tech is for everyone.

The content was also absolutely wonderfully laid out. It really helped me cement my knowledge and gave me the structure I needed to successfully learn web development. Plus the projects that you do with Skillcrush can definitely be applied in the real world.

While I was learning tech skills, I gained experience working as a volunteer for an organization that connects small/medium businesses, minority-owned businesses, people of color, and specifically Latinx groups to tech resources.

And now, I am a full-time web content designer for Petco, which feels unreal! Never in my wildest dreams would I think that I would be able to present myself as somebody who’s ready to be hired for a tech job, especially in the middle of a global pandemic. 

Ellie’s portfolio website

I went from being unhappy, unsatisfied, and hopeless for a better career to this new path that allows me to live comfortably and take care of my health (especially during a pandemic). This role is completely remote, so I feel comfortable and safe working from home. 

I think what I’m most proud of is making my family proud. Neither of my parents went to college, so we’ve always lived in this little gray area of comfortable, but not comfortable enough. Now I feel like I can finally break out into a new world for our family’s future and help my parents when they need it, help my siblings, and set ourselves up for a brighter life.

You’re not going to look back and regret joining Skillcrush. I don’t think that I would have gained such a solid foundation and confidence in my skills without it. The community really helped me feel like I can do this. I belong here. I think that’s something I never would’ve found anywhere else.

Skillcrush has changed my life.