Discover Goodwill “LIFTs” Students to Career Success

Each day, Discover Goodwill employees have the honor of helping individuals achieve greater independence through our many programs, services and business solutions. Here is the story of a recent graduate of Discover Goodwill’s LIFT IT Training Program. Josh was attending Tufts University, studying International Relations and playing on the school’s rugby club. During a match, he suffered a near-fatal blow to his head. Josh’s injury was so severe that his doctors did not think he would survive or be able to walk if he did recover. However, Josh refused to give in.

Following months of intensive rehabilitation, Josh’s cognitive and physical functions improved. He finished his pursued degree and also completed a Master’s degree in Information Security at the University of London. Despite his academic accomplishments, Josh was having a difficult time transitioning into the cyber field, which was almost as disheartening as his doctors’ dire medical diagnosis.

Josh remained resolute and decided to augment his college degrees with a Security+ certification, a valuable credential in the fast-growing IT/cybersecurity field.

Josh applied to Discover Goodwill’s LIFT Program, which offers Security+ certification as part of its national Google Grant aspiring to equip one million people with digital skills. Once again, Josh devoted himself to his studies and flourished in the program. This summer, Josh completed his Security+ training and certification and was hired by University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus as a compliance analyst.

If you or someone you know would be interested in more information about Discover Goodwill’s LIFT program, contact Tina Argus at

ta****@di****************.org