CAREER-SHIFTER PATHWAY
The Pathway
A tech-driven pathway for adults moving into tech from nontraditional backgrounds.
This pathway helps individuals translate previous experience into a stronger future in tech through community, mentor touchpoints, career readiness support, and guided access to trusted third-party learning tracks.
BTI does not operate as a school or staffing firm. We provide the support, structure, and ecosystem connection that help people move forward with more clarity and confidence.
Through curated Google certificate tracks, members build job-ready foundations in high-opportunity areas while strengthening confidence, clarity, and career momentum. Current tracks include the Google Project Management Certificate, Google IT Support Certificate, Google Data Analytics Certificate, Google UX Design Certificate, Google Cybersecurity Certificate, and Google Cloud Computing Foundations Certificate.
These tracks help individuals build practical, entry-level readiness across multiple lanes in tech. But BTI also recognizes that some members are pursuing a more technical infrastructure path. For members whose goals clearly align with IT support, networking, systems, infrastructure, or cloud-adjacent work, BTI may offer targeted CCNA exam sponsorship as a next-step opportunity.
This distinction matters. Google certificate tracks and CCNA do different jobs. Google certificates provide the broader on-ramp: foundational learning, practical skill-building, and stronger preparation for entry-level roles. CCNA provides a deeper technical signal for members moving toward networking and infrastructure pathways. Rather than making CCNA the automatic next step for everyone, BTI uses it as a focused advancement opportunity for members whose pathway, readiness, and career direction make it the right fit.
CCNA sponsorship is not automatic. It is offered selectively based on readiness, consistent participation, and clear alignment with a member’s technical career path.
Our Ecosystem Partners
The Career-Shifter Pathway is supported by partners that help members build practical skills, stay accountable, and connect learning to real next steps in Charlotte’s tech ecosystem.
Community Home Base
A central hub for cohort meetups, community sessions, and local ecosystem connection—where learning turns into relationships.
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Career Certificate Pathways
Access to industry-recognized credential tracks that help participants build practical, role-aligned skills employers recognize.
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Mentors + Community Connection
Mentor circles, peer support, and curated community touchpoints—so participants don’t navigate their tech journey alone.
ATS + AI Career Tools
AI-powered tools that help participants align resumes with job descriptions, improve ATS readiness, strengthen LinkedIn visibility, and apply smarter.
Your Track Plan
The Career- Shifter Experience
Tech Climber Pathway Labs at Do Greater Charlotte
BTI Pathway Labs are where the pathway gets real. Hosted at Do Greater Charlotte, our community home base, these sessions give people a place to ask questions, get support, meet others on a similar journey, and stay connected while taking their next step in tech. Complete the pathway intake to be considered for upcoming Pathway Labs and pathway support.
Start
Who it's For
Built for adults moving into tech from nontraditional backgrounds who want stronger direction, structured support, and a more realistic way into the field.
Navigate
Your Roadmap
We start by understanding your goals, background, strengths, and career direction. From there, we help you shape a practical plan with the right next steps, support touchpoints, and learning direction.
Build
Learning + Support
Choose a third-party learning track or certification direction aligned with their goals. BTI provides the surrounding support—guidance, accountability, career readiness, and community connection—to help members keep moving.
What You’ll Walk Away With
Real outputs. Real momentum.
Project Proof
A role-aligned project you can show
Build a role-aligned portfolio project that shows what you can actually do — with the artifacts, documentation, and project proof to support it.
AI-Ready Skills
Google AI certificate track included
Complete a built-in Google AI certificate track and apply it to your portfolio project — so you can show responsible AI use, practical tool fluency, and role-ready confidence.
Career Brand
A stronger resume, LinkedIn profile, and interview story
Strengthen your resume, LinkedIn, and career story so your previous experience connects more clearly to where you want to go in tech.
Featured Tech - Driven Tracks Inside Career Shifter Pathway
These are some of the tech-driven tracks BTI may support through trusted third-party partners for the Career-Shifter Pathway. BTI provides the surrounding support—community, career readiness, guidance, and accountability—while the credential itself comes from the external provider.
Platform: Google on Coursera
Track Type: Certificate track
Best for: Organized, people-focused professionals who like structure and execution
Turn coordination, communication, and leadership strengths into a tech-adjacent career move.
Charlotte benchmark: $64,337/year
Charlotte benchmark: $109,967/year
Platform: Google on Coursera
Track Type: Certificate track
Best for: Hands-on learners and career shifters who want a direct path into tech
Build core IT fundamentals like troubleshooting, networking, systems, customer support, and Linux.
Charlotte benchmark: $49,060/year
Platform: Google on Coursera
Track Type: Certificate track
Best for: People who enjoy patterns, spreadsheets, reporting, and structured problem-solving
Learn how to work with data, solve business problems, and create portfolio-ready analytics projects.
Charlotte benchmark: $70,967/year
GOOGLE CLOUD COMPUTING FOUNDATIONS CERTIFICATE
Platform: Google on Coursera
Track Type: Certificate track
Best for: People who want a foundational introduction to cloud and modern tech systems
Build foundational knowledge of cloud concepts, infrastructure, services, and how cloud supports digital environments.
Charlotte benchmark: Cloud/infrastructure roles vary by path
Platform: Google on Coursera
Track Type: Certificate track
Best for: Creative, empathetic thinkers who want to design better user experiences
Build foundational design skills and portfolio-ready work for user-centered roles.
Charlotte benchmark: $78,660/year
Platform: Google on Coursera
Track Type: Certificate track
Best for: Detail-oriented learners interested in protecting systems, people, and data
Build foundational knowledge in cybersecurity concepts, threats, and controls for entry-level security work.
Charlotte benchmark: $75,462/year
Why We Built It This Way
We built this pathway for adults who are ready to move into tech but need a more realistic and community-rooted way in. Split payment options exist to reduce barriers, expand access, and make structured support more reachable.
When more Charlotte residents can navigate career change with real guidance and trusted community, the entire local ecosystem gets stronger.