Krystel Smith proudly served eight years as a supply system analyst for the Air Force. During the latter years of her enlistment, she got married and started a family, then became a stay-at-home mom for seven years. Unfortunately, the marriage did not last, and her life changed drastically. She entered the pandemic in 2020 as a divorced single mom with two young boys she needed to support. Krystel wanted an opportunity to be challenged, grow professionally, and be the best role model and support for her kids that she could be. But with no recent job skills or certifications, Krystel was forced to take jobs that barely made ends meet. She felt truly defeated.One day, in between jobs and praying for a miracle that would let her support her family fully and fast, Krystel learned about NPower, an organization dedicated to creating on-ramps to good information technology (IT) jobs for veterans and young people from underserved communities. That very day, she applied, interviewed, and was offered a spot in the fall 2022 class with training costs covered through various state and federal funding sources, including the GI bill.
NPower helped Krystel as an IT specialist apprentice to obtain her IT Fundamentals (ITF+) certification and Google Project Management certification and gave her, she says, “the hope, confidence, support, discipline, and professional encouragement and skills I needed to get out of a difficult situation and start a career that would change my life and children’s lives for the better.” NPower’s apprenticeships are structured with training up front, followed by placement into a job with one of several national employer partners. Krystel was hired by Citi’s Enterprise, Infrastructure, Operations, and Technology Team and is working alongside colleagues she says have welcomed and helped her to grow and excel on her career journey.
For anyone considering an apprenticeship in the IT sector, Krystel says, “JUST DO IT! DONT WAIT!! The opportunities are only limited by you. It's one of the best decisions I have ever made to better my life for me and my family!”
Publish Date: 03/01/2024