Shayna Estrella – TranZed Apprenticeships, Childrens Guild Alliance - Success Story - Workforce Development and Adult Learning

Shayna Estrella has always had a love of learning and a passion for technology. In 2015, she received her Master's degree in Forensic Science and High Technology Crime, hoping it would be her ticket to a new career. She remembers her professor mentioning that although degrees are great, that the IT field is also looking for industry recognized certifications such as CompTIA which, unfortunately, can be costly and time consuming to adequately prepare for. After graduating, she took a job as an office processing clerk but kept her eye on the prize, a career in technology.

Four years later, she became aware of a pre apprenticeship training program that was being offered by TranZed Apprenticeships in partnership with Baltimore Cyber Range that prepped and covered the expenses of both the CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications and she jumped at the opportunity. She worked hard and successfully passed both exams. She was finally able to start her career in her dream field, IT. She, most recently, has started an Apprenticeship at The Children’s Guild Alliance, where she is an IT Support Specialist Apprentice. 

Shayna just began her apprenticeship in August but hit the ground running. Her eagerness to learn, ask questions and he pre apprenticeship training has allowed her to quickly become an integral part of the team. As many IT departments, the Children’s Guild team has been truly tested as all operations for 7 schools, foster care facilities and administrative headquarters all needed to seamlessly be moved to remote environments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shayna considers herself lucky because she joined a unique team, where nine of her colleagues in the IT department have participated, or are currently participating, in TranZed’s Apprenticeship program which has fostered a real sense of community among the team.  There is an eagerness among upper management and more tenured team members to help and support new apprentices because they have been in their shoes themselves.

When asked about her experience so far she stated, "I believe that everything that I've been through professionally has prepared me for this opportunity here at the Children's Guild Alliance! I believe I am right where God destined me to be!"

Registered Apprenticeship has allowed her to purse her passion and learn in a “judgement free” environment while supporting her family. She is thrilled to grow with the team and see where her new career will take her.