Malcolm Gladwell started a global conversation – and fierce debate – when he released “Outliers.” In the book, Gladwell asserts that to perfect any craft, you have to spend 10,000 hours trying, failing, and ultimately learning, before you can master any domain. Although many people focus on the book’s prevalent themes such as drive, talent, and cultural influences, there’s also an underlying force at play:
Opportunity.
Before they became a world-renown band, the Beatles had opportunities to play in front of crowds and hone their skills. Before he became known as a “genius,” Bill Gates created opportunities for himself by learning how to program. Also, applied his skills to meet market needs. And no doubt, you’ve gone through college and put the time in to start your career in coding or technology, but you’re just missing one thing: opportunity.
At first glance, it might appear that opportunities exist in abundance. Generally speaking, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects an 18% growth in computer and mathematical occupations from 2012 to 2022. In fact, they say:
“By 2022, the computer and mathematical occupations group are expected to yield more than 1.3 million job openings. However, unlike in most occupational groups, more job openings will stem from growth than from the need to replace workers who change occupations or leave the labor force.”
But there’s just one problem – although the opportunities are there, you’re not getting interviews because you lack the experience or skill set needed. If this scenario sounds familiar, you aren’t alone.
The Underemployment Conundrum
Across the country, hundreds of thousands of would-be tech employees are deferring their search and seeking immediate employment in industries. where the barriers to entry are lower. In many cases, these levels of “underemployment” often do more long-term harm than good.
According to a 2018 report on underemployment by the Strada Institute for the Future of Work and Burning Glass Technologies. underemployed recent college graduates earn less than $10,000 a year compared to their peers who work in traditional entry-level jobs. The ramifications of underemployment can also leave long-term financial damage. The study goes on to say, “…underemployed graduates are more likely to get stuck in the rut of these lower-paying roles over the long term.”
The seemingly binary choice between underemployment and applying and disappointment is one that doesn’t have to exist. For individuals who have the desire to excel but need an opportunity to display their skills, there’s another option.
Creating Your Opportunity in Technology
As Ashwin Bharath, our founder and CEO says, “Aptitude is available in plenty, but opportunities willing to accept good aptitudes are rare.” With that concept in mind, he designed Revature as a way to provide an opportunity and pathway to employment in the computer/technology field.
By working directly with the business community to identify technological skills gaps, Revature hires people who have the aptitude to learn. We then train them in advanced programming skills to address those business needs, then maps employees to the right opportunity. The technical and soft skills learned in the Revature program are specifically designed to fill skills gaps and make you employable.
Outcomes
Revature has launched thousands of careers for people who may not have otherwise had an opportunity. Whether they were like Ian who has a STEM degree but couldn’t get an interview or if they were like Chris who had no formal background in technology. Revature breaks down employment barriers. In fact, we often place job seekers with the same companies that turned them down months ago.
If you’re ready for an opportunity to start your career and get your 10,000 hours in, let’s get started today.