A Mentor for Life

For those who have walked through the doors of ITWorks, mentorship isn’t just a component of the program—it’s the heartbeat that drives personal growth transformation. One mentor that embodies that spirit so profoundly is Angie Cosca. With an unwavering belief in the potential of her mentees, Angie has been a guiding force for students who credit her mentorship for shaping their careers and their confidence.

For Angie, mentorship is more than a responsibility; it’s a calling. “I don’t want to be your mentor just for the program—I want to be your mentor for life,” she tells her students. And she means it. Angie has acted as a one-on-one ITWorks mentor for almost a decade, and stays true to her word of being a mentor for life. Each year, she brings together her past mentees for an annual lunch to reconnect, celebrate each other’s wins, and provide companionship and support for one another. Anastasiia, who graduated from ITWorks in August 2024, recalls her journey before the program. “I worked in various jobs—restaurants, warehouses—just to get by. But I never felt fulfilled. I wanted to switch to IT, but as someone new to the U.S., I didn’t have local experience or connections.” That changed when she met Angie. “She wasn’t just knowledgeable about IT—she provided the emotional support that kept me going. She constantly reminded me of what I was truly capable of.”

Sultaneh, a 2017 graduate whose career trajectory has been exponential, echoes that sentiment. “Angie has been with me through it all. She didn’t just see me as a student in the program—she saw me as a person. She understood my strengths and weaknesses and helped me grow in both.” Sultaneh, who is now the Assistant Director of Cybersecurity at Wynn Al Marjan Island UAE, recounts Angie staying in touch after graduation. “When I pursued my master’s degree in Seattle, Angie came to watch me walk across the stage at graduation, celebrating my success just as she had supported me through the challenges.”

Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. Angie is the 2025 recipient of the Tech Impact Volunteer Impact Award. Jazmine, another graduate who had the privilege of learning from Angie, expressed her gratitude: “There is no mentor more deserving of this award at this moment than you. Thank you for always being willing to help others, for sharing your inspiring story, and for offering your time and guidance to all of us. Your greatness and positive attitude toward challenges inspire and radiate to everyone around you. We appreciate you deeply—thank you for all that you do and continue to do.”

Angie’s impact is immeasurable, spanning nearly a decade of mentorship, career guidance, and unwavering support. Her legacy at ITWorks is not just in the careers she’s helped build, but in the confidence and resilience she has instilled in every student she has mentored. For many, ITWorks provided an opportunity—but Angie made it a life-changing experience.