PTC gave Sean Walker the tools to go from Rags to Riches!

December 17, 2020 | College News

A former PTC Web Development student achieves the
“American Dream” and lands his dream job.

Today, Sean Walker is a successful Applications Developer with Progressive Insurance company making a six-figure salary. His road to success was hard fought and full of potholes but, determination to persevere and the smarts to make the most of available opportunities, transformed him from a self-proclaimed “gutter kid” to a successful man.

Sean’s story is one of overcoming hardships that would have crushed most people. Homeless and expelled from two different High Schools, Sean graduated from a last chance program for dropouts and received his High School diploma.

Determined to make something of himself, Sean started a t-shirt business and through hard work, it started to take off. He created a company with its own brand t-shirts and boxers. Just when it looked like all his hard work would pay off and that he was on his way to a successful future, the Great Recession of 2007 crushed the economy and Sean’s business was one of its victims. Finding himself homeless for the second time in his life, Sean lost everything he had, except for his dog, laptop computer and his truck.

However hard life may have hit Sean, he was determined to get up, brush himself off and keep moving forward. First, he moved into a dilapidated former drug raid trailer to put a roof over his head. It had no windows or front door, and he collected and recycled cans in order to pay the lot fee. Finally, he made a decision to pursue web development as an occupation and enrolled at Pinellas Technical College to provide him the skills to achieve his goal.

In 2013, he graduated from PTC having completed the 11-month Web Development program and he began looking for a position in his field. Before he interviewed with a company, he did his research and found out all he could about the company. He spoke truthfully about his background and to his surprise, they called him for a second interview. Before this subsequent interview, he browsed their website again and this time, he noticed a glitch in the site. At his interview, he critiqued and presented his own redesign of the website.

Sean believes that his ability to find a niche and need within the company is what landed him the job. That company was eventually bought out by Progressive Insurance. He continued to expand his knowledge base and learn, continuing his education to include coding. Within three years of starting at this company, Sean was offered a position as a Developer. Today, he is an Applications Developer for a Fortune 500 company. “If I had to write a story of my life, I would call it Homeless to $100,000,” said Sean.

If you have a goal and the determination to achieve that goal, Pinellas Technical College can provide the opportunity you need to earn “a career in a year.” 

Web Development is one of many programs offered at our Clearwater campus location - if you are interested, check it out on the website by clicking the link, or by calling (727) 538-7167.