--- title: The Orbit - LaunchCode Blog | Stories description: Stories | LaunchCode Blog | Changing the tech landscape | Learn - Work - Hire --- [![LaunchCode](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/LaunchCode_September2020/images/dabomb-2080d6e23ef41463553f203daaa15991fd4c812676d0b098243b4941fcf4b57f.svg "LaunchCode")](https://www.launchcode.org/) - [Get Started](https://www.launchcode.org/get-started) - [Start Here](https://www.launchcode.org/get-started) - [Web Development](https://www.launchcode.org/web-development) - [Women+](https://www.launchcode.org/women-plus) - [Apprenticeship](https://www.launchcode.org/apply) - [Employers](https://www.launchcode.org/employer-services) - [Services](https://www.launchcode.org/employer-services) - [Talent](https://www.launchcode.org/talent) - [Training](https://www.launchcode.org/training) - [Donate](https://www.launchcode.org/donate) - [Blog](https://www.launchcode.org/blog/) - [About](https://www.launchcode.org/about) - [Our Mission](https://www.launchcode.org/about) - [Our Impact](https://www.launchcode.org/impact) - [Community Programs](https://www.launchcode.org/community-programs) - - [Log In](https://www.launchcode.org/login) - [Get Started](https://www.launchcode.org/get-started) - [LC101](https://www.launchcode.org/lc101) - [Women+](https://www.launchcode.org/women-plus) - [CodeCamp](https://www.launchcode.org/codecamp) - [Apprenticeship](https://www.launchcode.org/apply) - [Employers](https://www.launchcode.org/employer-services) - [Services](https://www.launchcode.org/employer-services) - [Talent](https://www.launchcode.org/talent) - [Training](https://www.launchcode.org/training) - [Donate](https://www.launchcode.org/donate) - [Blog](https://www.launchcode.org/blog/) - [About](https://www.launchcode.org/about) - [Our Mission](https://www.launchcode.org/about) - [Our Impact](https://www.launchcode.org/impact) - [Community Programs](https://www.launchcode.org/community-programs) - [Log In](https://www.launchcode.org/login) # The Orbit LaunchCode's blog, The Orbit, keeps you updated on LaunchCode's programs, work in the community, and partnerships with supporters and employers helping us change the tech hiring landscape. ## [![What’s launching in 2025? Course & Application Updates & Enhancements](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/Blog%20Headers%202-5-2025.png) What’s launching in 2025? Course & Application Updates & Enhancements](https://blog.launchcode.org/whats-launching-in-2025-course-application-updates-enhancements) Posts about # Stories ![](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/Alumni%20Advocate%20Content-1-Aleesha%20Headshot.png) ## [LaunchCode Alumni Spotlight: Aleesha Dawson's Journey](https://blog.launchcode.org/alumni-story-aleesha-dawson) LaunchCode’s mission is to break down barriers to tech careers, and Aleesha Dawson’s story beautifully showcases the power of determination,.. [Read Full Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/alumni-story-aleesha-dawson) ![](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/Alumni%20Advocate%20Content-2-Nick%20Headshot.png) ## [LaunchCode Alumni Spotlight: Nick Coronado's Journey](https://blog.launchcode.org/alumni-story-nick-coronado) At LaunchCode, we love celebrating our alumni and their unique paths to success. We caught up with Nick Coronado, a LaunchCode graduate, to learn.. [Read Full Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/alumni-story-nick-coronado) ![](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/Blog%20Headers-25-Kumba%20Feature-1.png) ## [Black in Tech: Kumba Janga, Senior Software Engineer & Data Modeler at JP Morgan Chase](https://blog.launchcode.org/black-in-tech-hire) Black History Month is a time to reflect on the contributions, stories, and progress made by Black and African Americans, across the country, the.. [Read Full Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/black-in-tech-hire) ![](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/Blog%20Headers-23-Jarrod%20Feature-1.png) ## [Black in Tech: Jarrod Sharp, LaunchCode Alum](https://blog.launchcode.org/black-in-tech-work) Black History Month is a time to reflect on the contributions, stories, and progress made by Black and African Americans, across the country, the.. [Read Full Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/black-in-tech-work) ![](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/Blog%20Headers-31-Black%20History.png) ## [Black History Month: A Look at Leaders in Tech](https://blog.launchcode.org/blackhistorymonth) [Read Full Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/blackhistorymonth) ![](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/Blog%20Headers-72-Maroua.png) ## [Maroua's LaunchCode Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/confections-to-coding-maroua-from-kc) My path into tech isn’t what most would call “straightforward.” Growing up as a first-generation Moroccan immigrant, I never envisioned a career in.. [Read Full Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/confections-to-coding-maroua-from-kc) ![](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/Blog%20Headers-74-Jacob.png) ## [Jacob's LaunchCode Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/expanding-the-toolkit-jacob-from-stl) For years I pursued a career as an artist and an educator. Art has always been a mirror of the time in which it was made. As a sculptor, my work.. [Read Full Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/expanding-the-toolkit-jacob-from-stl) ![](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/Blog%20Headers-75-Amy.png) ## [Amy's LaunchCode Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/codergirl-story-amy) From Living Paycheck-To-Paycheck to Landing a Rewarding Career in Tech When scrolling Facebook, I don’t generally expect to come across something.. [Read Full Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/codergirl-story-amy) ![](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Jeff-Rice.jpg) ## [Jeff's LaunchCode Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/writer-to-coder-jeff-in-kansas-city) First he Wrote Fiction, Now He Writes Code After getting a BA in English Lit, Jeff supplemented his writing career with various middle-man business.. [Read Full Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/writer-to-coder-jeff-in-kansas-city) ![](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Hakim-Abdi-1.jpg) ## [Hakim's LaunchCode Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/placement-profile-hakim-in-kansas-city) A Sense of Purpose Paving the Way After moving from Ethiopia, Hakim held several positions that didn't accurately reflect his experience of.. [Read Full Story](https://blog.launchcode.org/placement-profile-hakim-in-kansas-city) #### Let’s Be Friends [![](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/LaunchCode_September2020/Images/social%20icons/facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/launchcode.org/) [![](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/LaunchCode_September2020/Images/social%20icons/instagram.png)](https://www.instagram.com/launchcode/) [![](https://blog.launchcode.org/hubfs/LaunchCode_September2020/Images/social%20icons/linkedin.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/school/launchcode/) #### Launch Your Tech Career [Apply Now](https://www.launchcode.org/apply) [Learn More](https://www.launchcode.org/learn) ### Post Categories - [Careers (28)](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/careers) - [Stories (26)](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/stories) - [Learn (22)](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/learn) - [Tech (18)](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/tech) - [Featured (17)](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/featured) - [Tips (16)](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/tips) - [Companies (7)](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/companies) - [St. Louis (2)](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/st-louis) - [Connections (1)](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/connections) - [Course (1)](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/course) - [Development (1)](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/development) - [Women's History Month (1)](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/womens-history-month) see all [Sign up for our newsletter](https://mailchi.mp/launchcode/email-sign-up) [1](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/stories/page/1) [2](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/stories/page/2) [3](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/stories/page/3) [Next](https://blog.launchcode.org/tag/stories/page/2) #### LaunchCode - [Get Started](https://www.launchcode.org/get-started) - [For Companies](https://www.launchcode.org/companies) - [Donate](https://www.launchcode.org/donate) - [Blog](https://www.launchcode.org/blog) - [Store](https://www.launchcode.org/store) - [About](https://www.launchcode.org/about) - [Our Impact](https://www.launchcode.org/impact) - [Press](https://www.launchcode.org/press) - [FAQ](https://www.launchcode.org/faq) - [Apprentice](https://www.launchcode.org/apprentice) - [Hire](https://www.launchcode.org/hire) - [Volunteer](https://www.launchcode.org/volunteer) - [Work Here](https://www.launchcode.org/careers) [Sign up for our newsletter](https://mailchi.mp/launchcode/email-sign-up)   #### Keep in Touch [mailto:info@launchcode.org](mailto:info@launchcode.org)   ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=237459&fmt=gif)