‘Technology is a powerful way to make a difference:’ Victoria’s story

This is Part III of an ongoing series highlighting Catholic Charities Boston’s growing IT and Cybersecurity programs, in light of September being Workforce Development Month.   

For months after fleeing political upheaval in her native country of Venezuela, 17-year-old Victoria wondered if she had made the right decision by moving to the U.S.  

“I felt very frustrated not knowing English and thinking my goals to attend college and get a job were unrealistic and impossible to achieve,” Victoria said.  

When Victoria learned about El Centro’s ESOL and workforce development pathways, she said she finally felt a flicker of hope returning.  

Not only did she go on to become fluent in English, eventually graduating from El Centro’s level five ESOL course, but she also discovered a newfound and unexpected interest in the field of cybersecurity. 

“At the time, I thought I wanted to major in Marketing, and Marianna encouraged me to take El Centro’s coding class,” said Victoria. “I was so scared and unsure. I had never done a course like that, but right away, I literally loved it. That class changed my life.”  

Continuing with El Centro’s IT track, Victoria is now enrolled in the program’s new Introduction to Networks course and is preparing to begin a Cybersecurity training at Benjamin Franklin Institute in the fall through an El Centro grant, with hopes to eventually gain her bachelor’s degree in computer science.  

“My father worked in cybersecurity, so I always knew how difficult it is,” said Victoria. “I’ve learned technology is not just an important tool in life; it’s a powerful way to make a difference too, and that is what I want to do with my future.” 

To read more about Catholic Charities Boston’s Workforce Development programs, click here.  

To find out how you can support Catholic Charities’ students and clients in need, visit our Ways to Give page.