When Edwin Gonzales fled El Salvador for the U.S. he came carrying a dream and little else. Backed with a burly work ethic, he teamed up with Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) and turned his dream into a full-time tech career.
Edwin put time in kitchens before a friend hooked him up with the folks at MEDA. They led him to their Mission Techies program – a free, 12-week course that teaches young adults the ins and outs of software, hardware, coding, and networking.
Mission Interim Controls, which MEDA helped pass on Jan. 9, offer protections that last 15 months, increasing similar previous controls to bring ever-greater protections to our community-serving retail along the #MissionSF Mission Street corridor. https://t.co/JfRYHirWE8 #policy pic.twitter.com/oOdPUykAw3
— medasf (@medasf) January 19, 2018
He quickly landed an internship with Jones IT in San Francisco that, just as quickly, turned into a full-time gig. Now, he’s still killin’ it.
“I’m in a good place and I feel comfortable and happy,” he said, smiling.
This goes to show what can happen when one individual’s ambition and drive find the right community to grow in.
Leo Sosa – MEDA’s IT Training Director – says, “Edwin’s drive and talent are inspiring––and he’s just one of many graduates working in tech in the Bay Area.”
So here’s to Edwin, MEDA and all the future youngsters working hard for a dream! Get after it.
