Stories

Real careers.
Real people.
Real outcomes.

Hundreds of working adults — people balancing jobs, families, and limited time — have built new careers through Merit America. No degree required. No experience needed. Just the drive to change.

20,000+
Alumni nationwide
75%
Program success rate
$21K
Avg. wage gain
$0
Upfront cost
Our alumni work for the world’s top companies
Hear From Our Alumni

Watch, scroll, and explore

Videos, short clips, screenshots from the community, and real photos from events. This is what Merit America actually looks like.

Andrea
Meet Andrea
Data Analytics
Maritza
Meet Maritza
IT Support
Brandon
Meet Brandon
IT Support
Kalen
Meet Kalen
IT Support
John
Meet John
IT Support
Amy
Meet Amy
Data Analytics
Yves
Meet Yves
IT Support
Toneise
Meet Toneise
UX Design
Nathan
Meet Nathan
IT Support
Kenie
Meet Kenie
UX Design
Marion
Meet Marion
Project Mgmt
Showing 1–6 of 11
Inside my Merit America Journey
How Marion landed a promotion
Salary Street Interview
I did it. I got the job.
Career Coach Advice
Career Coach Advice
Alumni Share Career Advice
How Merit America Supported Me
Why Choose Merit America
Meeting My Career Coach
$60k wage gain!
Showing 1–6 of 12
Celebrating success
Group workshop
Alumni portrait
Team discussion
Graduation
Mentorship
Event panel
Group photo
Networking
Showing 1–6 of 9
Hear from our alumni

20,000+ alumni showing up for each other

The community doesn’t stop when the program ends. Coaches, peers, and alumni celebrate every win — and show up when it gets hard.

What Our Learners Say

Real people. Real careers. Real change.

These are working adults who were exactly where you are. Here’s what they told us.

It’s a great program that pushes you to learn every day. The program is set up to help you succeed.
Vi
Vi
Technology Software Engineer
I had no tangible qualifications to put on a resume and couldn’t afford training and exams for the IT certifications that I knew of. Merit America provided everything that I was looking for.
Yves
Yves
IT Helpdesk Technician
Programs like Merit America allow you to open a door that otherwise you would not be able to.
Sandra
Sandra
IT Consultant
Attending Merit America has not only equipped me with more tools in the tech field, but it has also brought me a network of support.
Michelle
Michelle
Web Developer
I had difficulties translating my existing IT experience into new job offers. Merit America was the perfect extra support I needed to begin my career.
Alix
Alix
Tech Solutions Coordinator
I learned a lot of skills I was never taught. The coach meetings gave me the accountability I needed to succeed.
Willie
Willie
Tech Support Technician
Merit America has greatly improved my coding abilities and my job prospects. My professional skills are much better, including searching for jobs!
Bruce
Bruce
Engineering Apprentice
Merit America is invested in helping people succeed not only in their work life, but in life in general.
Toya
Toya
Tech Consultant
Merit America has changed so much for me that I couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve felt like I would never get out of the dead end that I was in.
Rey
Rey
Marketing Specialist
20,000+
Alumni nationwide
since 2018
75%
Program success rate
alumni with outcome data
$21K
Avg. annual wage gain
2024 Alumni Wage Analysis
500+
Employers in network
who have hired our alumni
Coaching Takes You to the Next Level

The support that makes the difference

From coaches who’ve been there to alumni who prove it’s possible — here’s what our community has to say.

I love that at Merit America we’ve found tried and true tactics to take a learner from minimum wage to a middle-class income.
Victoria
Victoria
Career Coach
Merit America provides the resources and support I wouldn’t have alone. It’s truly a safety net for career growth.
Brittney
Brittney
Financial Analyst
Merit America gave me confidence and helped me see my value, especially with interview skills and resume support.
John
John
Application Security Administrator
You are not alone, you have more support than you know. Reach out to others and do a little bit every day.
Mona
Mona
Career Coach
Going through the technical courses and allowing me access to the Google courses helped a lot, especially with support.
Chris
Chris
Security Operations Analyst
Everything I learned in the Merit America program, I do at my job.
Rhonda
Rhonda
Help Desk Specialist
Merit America gave me the tools and resources to further my learning in IT.
Alikah
Alikah
Cybersecurity Analyst
I’ve always wanted to learn Java and had looked at options at community colleges. It was going to cost me more and take longer than Merit America.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth
Software Engineer
At Merit America, I knew I had people — the team as well as my squad — in my corner pushing me and helping me, no matter how tough it got.
Ebauni
Ebauni
Business Analyst
Programs like Merit America give people with great minds a chance to pursue their dreams. To any Merit America learner, know that you’re in the right place.
Corey
Corey
Cloud Operations Support Specialist
My new career in IT has provided me with opportunities for success that I didn’t have before, and I owe my move into this career to Merit America.
Joshua
Joshua
IT Support Analyst
Deep Dives

Full stories from our alumni

Every story goes deeper — the obstacles, the breakthroughs, the moment everything changed.

Marion
Project Management
Marion
RetailProject Manager (promoted)

Marion leveraged transferable skills from years in retail to land a role at a mental health nonprofit — and was recently promoted.

Read her story ↗
Nathan
IT Support
Nathan
Low-wage workHR & Staffing Coordinator

Nathan leaned into authenticity and built the first HR role at his company from the ground up — by knowing his worth and owning his story.

Read his story ↗
Kenie
UX Design
Kenie
Massage therapistUX Designer

Kenie rebuilt her career while raising a family — overcoming perfectionism and self-doubt to make the leap into UX design.

Read her story ↗
Pamellah
Human Resources+
Pamellah
Starting over in a new countryCareer counselor

Pamellah navigated a new country, a new language, and a new career — and now helps others do the same.

Read her story ↗
Sadie
UX Design
Sadie
Unrecognized strengthsUX Designer

Sadie discovered skills she’d never noticed — and used creativity and personal projects to build a tech career she loves.

Read her story ↗
Andrea
Data Analytics
Andrea
Insurance (2 jobs, 4 kids)Data Analyst

Working two jobs and raising four children didn’t stop Andrea. She earned her Google Data Analytics Certificate and didn’t look back.

Read her story ↗
Take the Next Step

Your story starts here.

Join 20,000+ working adults who built a new career without quitting their day job, going back to school, or paying anything upfront.

75%
Success rate
$21K
Avg. wage gain
$0
Upfront cost