From Plumber to Tech Business Consultant: Rodrigo’s Story
Growing up in Brazil, Rodrigo never imagined he’d one day experience what can only be described as a Hero’s Journey of epic proportions.
Born and raised in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Rodrigo had “a very happy childhood” and went on to become a professor at a local university. But over time, the political problems and violence in his country made it a difficult place to live and work. So, at the age of 36, Rodrigo and his wife fulfilled a lifelong dream and moved to the United States.
Starting Over
But some dreams are more complicated than they seem. Adapting to a new language and culture posed significant challenges, as did building a new community. “Leaving your home country is like leaving a part of yourself,” he confessed.
The most formidable hurdle Rodrigo faced was finding work. Though he’d been a professor in Brazil, the only jobs he could find in the U.S. were physically demanding and low-paying. Over a grueling eight-year period, he worked as a plumber, a carpenter, and a wood floor installer.
“I faced multiple fresh starts that often made me want to give up,” he said. “My body and my mind were exhausted. In those moments, I thought about how much I had achieved—the journey that led me to become a professor—and that became fuel to keep going.”
At one point, Rodrigo hit rock bottom. “I felt like throwing everything away, disillusioned with people, questioning my faith, and completely lost.” That's when he met Gabriel “Gabe” Tinti, who introduced him to City of Refuge's Tech Transformation Academy.
Although Rodrigo had previously worked as a tech salesman in Brazil, he had reservations about starting anew in a fast-moving industry at the age of 44. But when he learned about the Web Developer Course, his enthusiasm soared. “I fell in love with it right away,” he said.
A Launch Pad to Transformation
The class was challenging, of course. His English had improved over the years but now he had a whole new set of words, terminologies, and accents to contend with. Thankfully, he received lots of support and encouragement from his instructor, teaching assistants, classmates, and case manager.
After graduating from the class, Rodrigo faced the real challenge: finding a job. He’d set aside savings to cover the four-month course without employment, but those reserves were running out. Doubts started to resurface. He began applying for hundreds of jobs with only a few interviews to show for it.
Out of the blue, a job at Capgemini, a global IT services and consulting company, opened up. His friend Gabe, who worked at the company, referred him for the position. Rodrigo went through a series of challenging interviews before finding out that he’d officially landed the job. “I can confidently say it was the happiest moment of my life,” he said.
Reflecting on his life and journey, Rodrigo sees nothing short of transformation.
“My life has completely changed,” he said. “I couldn't be happier. I'm working for one of the world's largest technology companies. I can make plans and dream again. All I want is to grow and make the most of this opportunity.”
When asked what he would say to a City of Refuge donor, Rodrigo was unequivocal:
“Contributions to this organization save and transform lives. I can affirm that City of Refuge is one of the most serious and well-structured organizations I've ever encountered. I've seen a genuine desire in each person I've met there to bring back people's joy in living.”
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