Power of Partnership – Austin

In early 2020, Austin decided to enroll in Summit Academy’s IT training—just weeks before the COVID pandemic would warrant a lockdown and a new method of learning for Summit students.

Despite the uncertainty of remote learning, Austin’s dedication didn’t waver. What grounded him was the sense of community and commitment he found at Summit. “At the information session, Summit leadership and staff actually talked to me. They seemed invested,” he recalls. “That’s not something you get at a two- or four-year university.” 

Summit offered Austin a different path—one where he didn’t have to spend years taking classes or take out loans to pay for school. Summit’s 20-week training promised an education with hands-on experience, soft skills development, and direct access to employers. Although he initially planned to pursue Electrician training, he decided to lean into his curiosity and give IT a shot. “I wanted to see if it would be a good fit for me,” he says. “I think it is. I mean, I’m still here.”

Today, Austin works in the Client Support department at Atomic Data. His role includes leading a team of up to six technicians; it’s a position that brings him both pride and reflects how far he’s come in a short period of time. “I’m really proud of my current role and what I’ve been able to learn in the last couple of years,” he shares. “It feels good to know I’m at this level. I’m able to get recognized in the workforce.”

Summit’s IT training laid the foundation, equipping him with both technical knowledge and critical soft skills. “If you’re only learning about computers not soft skills, it’s harder to get interviews and have employers take note of you,” Austin says. “Summit made me realize that I don’t need a degree for employers to notice me, I just need to talk to them.”

The ability to connect with employers wasn’t just taught at Summit—it was a critical part of the curriculum. Through intentional engagement with local IT industry leaders like Atomic Data, students were able to gain visibility before even graduating. “Atomic knew who I was before finishing the program because of the employer interactions that took place in the classroom,” Austin shares. A few weeks after completing the training, he met Jim Wolford—the CEO of Atomic Data at the time. “I had never met a CEO before. That interaction was priceless.”

The support he receives today—including benefits, transportation support, and food credits—is a stark contrast from the retail jobs he held before Summit. It’s also part of why he’s enthusiastic about his work and optimistic for the future. Looking ahead, Austin’s goals are clear. In the short term, he wants to continue growing as a leader. Long-term, he hopes to move deeper into cybersecurity, specifically in incident response.

Austin’s success highlights the powerful impact of collaboration between workforce training programs and forward-thinking employers. Through Summit’s hands-on approach and Atomic’s commitment to hiring local talent, he found a pathway to a sustainable, rewarding career.