I Quit My Job and Went Back to School (With a Little Help)
By: Francisco Ortega Pantoja
In 2023, I was looking for a way back into tech. I’d left school after facing financial difficulties, and I was working a job I knew wasn’t part of my long-term plan. I wanted something more. I wanted an opportunity in programming or computer science, but wasn’t sure how to get there.
One day as I was scrolling through my Gmail, I saw an email about Hack the Hood from my old school. It felt like the door I’d been waiting for.
Through Hack the Hood, I was able to connect with people and finally apply the skills I had been teaching myself on my own. That felt rewarding. One moment that really cut through the noise for me was visiting a company called ThredUp. I met their cybersecurity manager, and suddenly I could see myself in his shoes. That experience was when I realized that a career in tech is something I can truly pursue.
The BIG decision
Then came the opportunity to join Hack the Hood’s Drive program. Drive would allow me to return to community college. The thing is, I’d have to quit my job.
It wasn’t a simple choice. I had to weigh my financial security and my ability to support my mom. I was scared I wouldn't succeed in community college. For weeks, I hesitated.
That’s when I met with Hack the Hood’s executive director, Samia. She sat down with me, helped me break down the challenges one by one, and showed me that there were solutions to each. That conversation gave me the confidence I needed to take a leap of faith and enroll.
Building a Future
Since joining Drive, I’ve been able to focus fully on school and prepare for my future career. I’ve worked on my resume, practiced mock interviews, and started building a professional network. My mentors encouraged me to set bigger goals. I needed to finish my associates degree, then transfer to a four-year university to study computer science.
Looking back, my Hack the Hood experience has been, in one word, radical. It changed everything — my approach to school, my perspective on the tech industry, and the direction of my life.
I went from stuck and uncertain to a student on track for a career I once only dreamed about. All it took was a leap of faith, and a community that believed in me.
Help Us Make Opportunity Universal. Stories like these are made possible by supporters like you. Your gift to our Talent is Universal campaign helps us provide not just technical training, but the laptops, mentorship, stipends, and community support that unlock the potential in every young person. Join us in ensuring that talent and opportunity go hand in hand.
