From Military Veteran to IBM Apprentice: A skills transformation story

It’s a new year, and everyone can make a fresh start. Here’s one example of an IBM apprentice, Brandi Apetsi , who did just that by investing in herself and her skills.

Single mother of four. Retired military veteran. Former night-shift worker. High school graduate without a college degree. While all of those words describe Brandi, there are others that describe her too: tenacious, curious, growth minded, resourceful, focused, determined.

When her marriage ended, Brandi had to quickly figure out how to provide for her four children ages 9-18. Without a college degree and living in rural North Carolina, Brandi found her options limited. She began working nights at a car parts factory, ending her shifts at 3 a.m. The daily routine of little sleep, homeschooling her children, and trying to keep food on the table became overwhelming. Brandi knew she needed a change.

She began a software coding bootcamp where she could learn new skills more quickly than a traditional four-year college. When I asked Brandi what drew her to the bootcamp she said, “I had no previous coding experience which was certainly scary, but it was worse to be exhausted all the time and know I had no other way of providing for my kids. This was how I was going to give them the life they deserved.”

It was toward the end of her bootcamp that Brandi heard about the IBM Apprenticeship program - a full-time “earn and learn” program for those who don’t have a four-year bachelor’s degree in the field they’re interested in, but have acquired knowledge in the domain. It took two tries, but she was accepted.

When she joined the program, Brandi met some fascinating people – a retail manager and a pre-med student, even a former barista. The apprentices came with incredibly varied backgrounds, but they all had one thing in common: a passion for technology and a curiosity to learn.

Brandi graduated as an IBM Apprentice and now works as Level 2 Software Technical Support Engineer. She went from living in a one-bedroom apartment with her four children to owning her own home. And the lessons she has taught her children about the value of perseverance, grit, and determination are immeasurable.

“It's not that we (without a degree) aren’t capable. It’s about giving us the opportunity. And IBM has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for me and my family. I can’t tell you what that feels like.”