Caroline spent 15 years in veterinary medicine before making the leap into tech. She had the drive to make the switch, but without a background in tech or a degree in the field, that transition felt like a steep climb. Then she found ComEd's Power Up Academy.

Power Up Academy is a 14-week program preparing adults for entry-level design, tech, and project coordination roles. It was built with the understanding that nontraditional candidates bring something to the table that a transcript alone can't capture — and that with the right training and the right environment, they tend to show up and stay committed.

Caroline is a strong example of that. She was ambitious throughout every week of the program, collaborative in the classroom, and when she arrived at ComEd, she carried that same energy with her.

"I used to be embarrassed to say I don't have a degree. I'm incredibly proud to say that I don't have a degree and I'm still here doing this type of work."

World Business Chicago is proud to recognize ComEd for building access into their hiring model in a way that's genuine and intentional. The talent is here. Programs like this make sure it gets a fair shot. Employers looking to create similar pathways are encouraged to reach out.