Breaking barriers: Shay Lashgari’s journey to a tech career

Have you ever felt like the traditional path into tech just wasn’t built for you? Maybe college wasn’t an option. Maybe you started, but life got in the way. Maybe you’re learning on your own, wondering if it’s enough to break into the industry.

Shay Lashgari knows exactly how that feels.

From fleeing Iran as a child to battling systemic barriers and self-doubt, Shay’s path into tech wasn’t traditional—because nothing about her journey was. But with the right resources, determination, and a learning path that actually worked for her, she built a future she once thought was out of reach.

What if the traditional education path wasn’t built for you?

For Shay, school was never a given. Born in Iran, she became a refugee at seven and arrived in the U.S. at 12 without any formal schooling. Despite this late start and her families lack of economic resources, she thrived—graduating in the top 15% of her high school class and earning acceptance to UCLA and Berkeley.

But getting into college was only part of the challenge. Paying for it was another, and financial barriers kept her from attending. When she tried smaller or community colleges, the first was overwhelming and lacked community; with the second, COVID hit. Over the years, she dropped out of college four times.

“I think the common denominator over all the colleges was that they have this one size fits all approach to education that they want students to find a way to fit into. But some students, like me, don't fit into it... I thought I would always be trapped into that poverty and lack of resources.”

Shay’s story isn’t unique. Many students struggle with rigid class schedules, financial roadblocks, or a system that wasn’t designed with their reality in mind. It can feel like traditional education just doesn’t work for everyone.

But that doesn’t mean you don't belong in tech.

Personalizing tech education to fit individual needs

Everything changed when Shay found Year Up United, a nonprofit program that connects young adults with career training and internships. Through it, she discovered Pluralsight—and for the first time, learning felt within reach.

“When I came across Pluralsight, something clicked. There was a clear finish line at the end of each course. You didn’t have to wait four years for a degree.”

She could learn at her own pace. She could replay lessons. She could fit learning around her life, not the other way around.

“Pluralsight is a safer, more friendly place where you can learn at your own pace, on your own timing, and on your own terms.”

For others who feel like traditional education might not be the right fit, know this: there are other ways to learn.

Overcoming self-doubt to build self-belief

Even with the right tools, the journey wasn’t easy. Shay faced chronic illness, housing instability, and moments of deep self-doubt. At her lowest, she even questioned whether she had a future at all.

But learning became her way back.

“Learning was always my escape...So when I lost the desire to learn, that’s when I knew something was wrong.”

Finding people to help guide her and suggest joining Year Up was key. Year Up United gave her support, Pluralsight gave her structure, and soon, she started to believe in herself again. With her new training, Shay landed a software engineering internship at a major organization.

“Six months ago, I had no idea what tech was or how to code. Now I’m at a Fortune 500 company.”

Shay’s story proves that self-doubt doesn’t have to define your journey—you don’t have to stay stuck in that place.

Challenging outdated hiring practices in tech

Shay’s story isn’t just about her, it’s about changing the system for others.

She’s now working with Year Up, Pluralsight, and Opportunity@Work to challenge outdated hiring practices and help more people break into tech—regardless of whether they have a degree.

“I want to speak to as many people as possible and share my story, so that employers know that we shouldn’t overlook talent just because of a piece of paper.”

Shay’s message for people thinking about tech as a career is simple: Their skills matter. Their passion matters. And the right opportunity could be closer than they think.

What Shay’s journey means for you

Shay didn’t follow the traditional path,  she forged her own. And you can, too.

Breaking into tech isn’t about where you started. It’s about where you’re going—and how you get there. If you’re ready to take control of your learning journey, here’s what you can do today:

• You don’t need a computer science degree to learn tech skills.
  Many companies want to know if you have the  tech skills, not necessarily what degree you hold: 
  • Build foundational knowledge with beginner-friendly courses on programming, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and more.
  • Earn certifications to showcase your expertise and stand out to employers.
  • Create projects and a portfolio to prove your skills in action.

• You don’t have to fit into a “cookie-cutter” mold to succeed.
  Tech is for everyone—no matter your background, education, or starting point. Find a learning style that works for you:
  • Prefer structure? Follow a curated learning path designed to take you from beginner to job-ready.
  • Need flexibility? Learn at your own pace, replay lessons, and fit studying into your schedule.
  • Looking for community? Join forums (Pluralsight users find these on-platform!) and mentorship programs to connect with peers and industry pros.

• You can start learning today, on your own terms.
  The best time to start is now. Take your first step:
  • Pick one skill you want to master and start with an introductory course.
  • Set a realistic learning goal—whether it’s 30 minutes a day or one course per week.
  • Apply what you learn by building projects, contributing to open source, or tackling coding challenges.

Shay took control of her learning journey. Now, it’s your turn.

Power up your tech skills with Pluralsight and start building your own future—just like Shay did.