It was as delicious as it looks.

The theme of this week was: Struggles and Payoffs. As I said last week, Per Scholas students graduated this week. As they reflected on the challenges they have had to overcome, I was met with a challenge or two myself. Yet at the end of the week I think we were all reminded that a lot can be accomplished with perseverance and confidence.

I’ve identified my nemesis this week and its name is “Survey Response Rate.” As part of my responsibilities at Per Scholas, I’ve been tasked with surveying area IT leaders to learn more about what training and experience employers are looking for. Everything up until this point had been going very well. Creating the survey? No prob. Assembling a contact list? Got it covered. Getting people to actually take the survey? Oh boy. I did some research about online surveys and response rates and found some solace. Turns out the average response rate for e-mail surveys is 24.8%. Phew! I think we’ll come in above that. But at any (response) rate, our ultimate goal is to assemble enough data to inform smart and responsible decisions. The survey closes next week, so send some good vibes my way that we’ll get an overwhelming response in the next few days. 😉

This is Dennis Adamets, the class valedictorian. An awesome guy!

Yesterday was a wonderful celebration of folks who have achieved a lot and who refused to give up on themselves. For many students, eight weeks ago the odds seemed insurmountable. Now, these students are trained professionals and many of them already have new careers waiting for them. Awesome, right?! I was moved by the words of Robin Green, former Director of Business Solutions at Per Scholas. Her advice to the graduates was this: “Get all you can. Can all you get. But whatever you do, don’t sit on the can.” Her call to share gifts and talents rather than “sit on them” was compelling.

Every name on this program represents an inspiring and capable individual.

The best part of the ceremony, as it is with any graduation, was to watch the degrees conferred unto the graduates. Honestly, this entire group of students has welcomed me in so completely and treated me with such love and goodness that it’s hard to imagine another class could ever compare. I will miss them dearly, but I wish them every happiness and it is my hope and prayer that no good thing would be withheld from them.