Become a Participant

What does it mean to be a Participant?

Our participants are resilient, driven individuals who choose to grow, pivot, and thrive in the tech industry through the support of Universal Tech Movement’s community-centered programs.

They’re learners, leaders, and changemakers — empowered by access to training, mentorship,
and opportunity, and committed to uplifting themselves, their families, and their communities.

Participants are:

  • Curious Learners — Individuals who might be new to tech but are eager to explore.

  • Career Changers — Looking for accessible ways to re-enter or pivot into the tech space.

  • Overcomers — Many have faced personal, financial, or systemic challenges and are rebuilding their lives through tech.

  • Connected to Community — They stay engaged, give back, and often become advocates and mentors themselves.

These are the individuals who are changing their lives and the lives of partners, organizations, corporations, and the UTM team by contributing their talents and skills to make a tech ecosystem for all.

Flyer promoting workforce development programs and digital equity initiatives, featuring images of diverse professionals and students.
Three people at a graduation ceremony: a young girl on the left wearing a black T-shirt with 'People's Community Clinic' written on it, a woman in the middle holding a diploma and a laptop, and a man on the right shaking her hand, in front of a blue banner with 'Happy Graduation' written on it.
Group of diverse people attending a conference, sitting attentively and listening to a speaker.

  • THANK YOU, UTM! You've been essential in my tech journey and have allowed me to grow and learn about myself in more ways than I could've imagined. I would not have been able to learn about project management and UI/UX design without your financial and emotional support. It has been an honor to be a participant and I highly suggest UTM for folks that are interested in the tech sector, this community will make sure to provide you with your needs and help you with alleviating your fears.

    Mariamawit, Participant

  • I don't know if I would have found my way to the tech space without UTM. This program allowed me to take my curiosity about UX design and turn it into a potential career. I'm genuinely loving it! My mind is blown, in all the best ways, after building my first prototype and watching my designs come to life and be backed by research/concrete processes. I am extremely grateful for this program and excited to see where this takes me in the tech space. 

    Keziah, Participant

  • I am extraordinarily grateful for UTM’s role in my life. At some point I had to start over and I am thankful for the opportunity UTM gave me to be able to do just that. They covered the cost of my class and they know the kinds of barriers that many people face in getting better jobs and education, and they really are here to help. If you are even thinking about it, reach out and see what happens. There are no hidden fees or catches. Just good people fighting the good fight. 

    Keirra, Participant

  • UTM has been a wonderful blessing to me!  I needed a career pathway along with a training opportunity. UTM has been amazing and beyond my expectations by providing tools, resources, mentorship, and support.  There is nothing like it out there! I honestly feel I will be prepared and successful in the field. With little experience in the field, I am also building a foundation as I continue to grow to the next level and develop in other IT areas such as Cybersecurity. 

    Anthony, Participant

  • I want to reach out and thank everyone at UTM for the opportunity. I honestly feared returning to University for another four years to receive my Bachelor's in IT. They have paved the way. And it’s much more than coursework. It’s also a community outreach. I will definitely be reaching out to the community to gently push them to learn more about this organization.

    John, Participant

Hear From One of Our Participants