Ayana Dunlap envisioned her ideal career long before completing high school. She aspired to work in an exotic location, dressed in designer suits, assisting hotel guests at the front desk, inspired by the sophisticated women she encountered during vacations with her mother. Initially, Dunlap lived out this childhood dream, securing her first front desk position at the age of 18 at a small hotel near Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, just before graduating from high school. She continued working in hotels well into her twenties. Reflecting on her journey, Dunlap told CNBC Make It, "I thought I found my forever career."

During her college at Montgomery County Community in 2016, she opted to pursue an associate's degree in business administration with the belief that this specialization, coupled with the shorter duration of the program compared to a bachelor's degree, would propel her towards her goal of becoming a hotel manager. 

The Pandemic Setbacks In Almost All Industries

Looking back almost a decade later, the 29-year-old chuckles at the plans she had made. Like millions of others in the hospitality industry, Dunlap found herself unemployed in 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting a shift into new career paths amidst furloughs and lockdowns. Although her childhood dream job eluded her, Dunlap discovered a new passion in technology, which she learned to embrace. 

Major Career Transition

Since 2020, Dunlap has transitioned into the tech industry. She is Assistant Vice President of Operations and Information Technology at the Bank Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based public policy, research, and advocacy organization representing U.S. banks. According to financial documents assessed by CNBC Make It, Dunlap earns approximately $125,000, which she considers "unimaginable" had she remained in the hospitality sector. 

Getting Credible Certification Even Without An IT Experience 

Dunlap humorously recalls that she unofficially worked in tech long before making it official, as older colleagues often sought her assistance with computer issues at almost every job she held. After college, she relocated to the Washington, D.C., area. She spent several years employed by Widewaters Hotel Group & Magna Hospitality Group in their sales department, based at various hotels in the DMV area, and as a senior sales manager at the Hilton Garden Inn Tysons Corner before the pandemic. 

Being the youngest team member, Dunlap was frequently tasked with troubleshooting computer problems, editing documents, and resolving WiFi issues. Despite the additional responsibilities, she found it enjoyable. However, it was not until she was laid off from her sales position in June 2020 that Dunlap considered transforming her computer skills into a full-fledged career.

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During one of the lowest points in her career, Dunlap's friend mentioned a free Google course advertised online: a 15-week IT support program offered by Per Scholas, a national nonprofit based in New York, which provides three certifications: a Google IT support certificate, CompTIA Security+ certification, and CompTIA Network+ certification. Per Scholas partners with employers nationwide to assist in recruiting and recommending candidates from their training programs for available tech positions.

Job Absorption After Certification

Dunlap enrolled in the Per Scholas program in August completed it in November and secured a tier 2 technical support engineer position at designDATA, an IT services and consulting firm headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Her responsibilities included assisting organizations in preparing for office returns by setting up their desktops, routers, and printers on-site, with one organization, the Bank Policy Institute, offering her an opportunity she could not refuse. 

Skills Worth Six-Figures 

After assisting the Bank Policy Institute with their office return preparations for several weeks, Greg Baer, the president and CEO, offered Dunlap a full-time position. Initially hesitant to leave designDATA, where she had been employed for less than a year, Dunlap's doubts vanished upon receiving the offer letter. The Bank Policy Institute proposed a higher title: Assistant Vice President of Operations and Information Technology, along with an $80,000, which she considered "competitive" compared to her previous earnings at designDATA. 

Dunlap began her new position in August 2021. Since then, she has received two raises at the Bank Policy Institute for her job performance and increased responsibilities. The first raise, in 2022, increased her salary to approximately $98,000, and another raise, effective in January, boosted her annual compensation to $125,000.

The Power of Transferable Skills

The IT and AV support abilities Dunlap gained from the Per Scholas program were crucial for her transition into the tech industry without a bachelor's degree, which included problem-solving, familiarity with various operating systems, and diagnosing software or hardware issues. Equally important were the soft skills she acquired while working in hotels, particularly communication and customer service.

According to Dunlap, customer service skills are essential for distinguishing oneself from other applicants vying for the same tech position. She advised that being patient and friendly is crucial when assisting people with stressful computer problems, which played a "huge bonus" in the tech field after working in hospitality. 

The biggest advice Dunlap offers to others aiming for lucrative roles without a bachelor's degree is recognizing the value of their transferable skills. Sometimes, society views individuals without a four-year degree as lacking education, but opting for a different path does not mean you cannot educate yourself through alternative means and contribute significantly. Whether through reading, online boot camps, or other skill-enhancing avenues, there are numerous ways to refine your skills. By acknowledging your strengths and leveraging them, you can progress far in your career, says Dunlap. 

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