When Antony De Joya joined WorkSource Montgomery’s LYFE (Launch Your Future Employment) program this summer, he was curious about the world of IT—but unsure where to begin. With no previous hands-on experience and limited exposure to the industry, Antony took a leap by entering the WEx (Work Experience) program and interning with Montgomery College’s ignITe Hub.
Through this opportunity, Antony quickly began to build both confidence and capability. Over the course of 12 weeks, he earned his Apple Fundamentals certification, contributed to event support in both virtual and in-person settings, and gained valuable experience by updating and maintaining Apple products on campus. His operational efficiency skyrocketed—improving by 300% over the duration of his internship.
WSM supported Antony every step of the way with career coaching, mentorship, and access to real-world work experience through the WEx program. With the help of the LYFE team, he was exposed to new career pathways and developed a growing sense of purpose and professionalism.
Thanks to his performance, Antony successfully transitioned from a WEx intern to a student intern with ignITe Hub—and took it a step further by enrolling in Montgomery College’s Cybersecurity Degree Program. He now continues to build on his skill set with clarity and direction.
“WSM’s support has transformed curiosity into confidence for our youth participants. Watching one of our interns grow from no IT experience to pursuing a cybersecurity degree and thriving in a student internship is exactly the kind of outcome these programs are meant to achieve” – Antony
Today, Antony is well on his way to a promising career in cybersecurity. His story is a powerful reminder of how exposure, support, and mentorship can ignite a young person’s potential—and turn possibility into progress.