Earlier this month, we celebrated the incredible journey of our 2025 apprentices — a cohort of software engineers entering the industry with support from Ramsey County and the City of Saint Paul, through the Learn and Earn program.
At its core, we created this apprenticeship to build a diverse pipeline of software engineers — but more importantly, to develop a group of engineers who know how to build software with love.
By “building software with love,” I mean engineers who approach their work with care, who understand that behind every line of code is a human being whose life might be improved by what we create. Engineers who bring their whole selves to their work, who ask not just “can we build this?” but “should we build this?” and “how can we build this in a way that serves and uplifts people?”
This matters more than ever because technology is reshaping our world at breakneck speed. We need diverse voices and perspectives in the rooms where these decisions are made. We need engineers who understand the communities they’re building for, because they come from those communities. We need people who will challenge the status quo and insist that technology should be a force for equity and justice.
Our 2025 apprentices embody this vision. What struck me most about this cohort is not just their raw talent — though they are incredibly talented — but their work ethic, their curiosity, and how quickly they’ve absorbed and applied everything they learned in bootcamp. They’ve gone from learning the fundamentals to adding real value to projects in record time. Their fresh perspectives have already made our work better.
These apprentices are ready to take the next step in their careers, and I’m asking for your continued support — whether that’s mentoring, helping them secure employment, or if you’re in a position to hire, consider them for opportunities at your organizations.
They’re not just skilled engineers; they’re the engineers who will help us build technology that truly serves humanity. They deserve our support, and frankly, we need them.
Thank you for investing in the future of our industry. And congratulations once again to our amazing apprentices!
My proudest moment throughout this apprenticeship was being a help to my peers, being able to look over their code and maybe understand some issues I had run into before — and also not being shy about asking for help when I needed it, and trusting them to help me.
— Abdirahman Ali
Software for Good has taught me the value of “progress over perfection.” As a developer, we get better through iterations and going through the process, instead of immediately knowing all our answers.
— Nadia Kane
I really enjoyed working with my fellow apprentices and our mentors, and being able to communicate with the Dorie product team was really insightful. Being able to work closely with everyone, I got to see how everyone approached problems and how they thought about things.
— Julie Lee
My proudest moments came from working on tickets that I knew weren’t really my forte. Front-end development was something I knew I needed to work on, so completing those tickets was genuinely a moment where I felt proud of myself.
— Peter Lee
From hands-on experience, I learned a lot through trial and error. One thing that really helped me grow was attending the tech info sessions led by senior developers. I was introduced to new concepts, best practices, and valuable coding tips.
— Torshia Lee
I not only learned about coding, but at Software for Good, the community has been very supportive and welcoming. I learned a sense of professionalism and good communication that I can take with me.
— Aliyah Moore
At the bootcamp, I learned how to build an application, but I feel like at Software for Good, I’ve learned to think like a developer. One of my proudest moments is learning how to predict potential pitfalls and challenges before I start coding.
— Saba Negeye