Applications are open for our Fall 2026 AI-Native Cohort →

  • Our Approach
  • Our Team
  • Our Values
  • Pursuit AI-Native Program
  • Pursuit Commit
  • Pursuit Good Job Agreement
  • Get Involved
  • Good Jobs Guarantee
  • Donate
  • Stories
  • Careers
  • Press
What's New
PartnershipInsights
04/08/2026
image
AI Literacy for the Social Sector: What We Learned from the Goldman Sachs Nonprofit Pilot
Read more →
Press ReleaseNewsPartnership
03/27/2026
Read more→
image
Pursuit Selected to Lead New York State’s AI Prep for Jobs Initiative
Read more →
InsightsAI-Native Program
01/26/2026
Read more→
image
Pursuit's AI Transformation: Products and Processes We Built in 2025
Read more →
See More

Pursuit is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). © 2026 Pursuit. All rights reserved.

Launchfutureyou.

Start here:

☑ I agree to receive recurring automated marketing text messages at the phone number provided. Consent is not a condition to participate. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel.

Pursuit needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our programs. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, please review our Terms and Privacy Policy.

☑ I agree to receive recurring automated marketing text messages at the phone number provided. Consent is not a condition to participate. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency varies. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel.

Pursuit needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our programs. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, please review our Terms and Privacy Policy.

image
image

Pursuit 6.0 Commencement: A Milestone On The Journey Into Tech

10/25/20
Share:

This month, we celebrated 84 individuals — 84 individuals who committed the last 12 months to transforming their lives.

When they first came to Pursuit, they were baristas, retail workers, and ride share drivers. They dreamed of being software developers.

Since then, they’ve learned the fundamentals of coding, built their first full-featured apps, and practiced technical and behavioral interviews. It was hard work. They did it all during a challenging and unprecedented year.

image
An Amazing Milestone

Congratulations to the 84 Fellows from our 6.0 cohort on completing our rigorous, 12-month training program and taking the next step on their Pursuit journey: searching for their first jobs in tech.

To mark this amazing milestone, more than 200 members of the Pursuit community — Fellows, alumni, staff, and supporters — came together on Zoom for our 6.0 Commencement Ceremony.

Attendees heard powerful speeches from our co-founder and CEO Jukay Hsu, our Op-Board Chair and co-founder of Packet Zac Smith, our Director of Operations and Planning Tali Erdfarb, and finally, our talented Fellows and alumni who reflected on their journey in tech.

image

Commencement Speaker - Zac Smith, Pursuit Op Board Chair

In his inspiring speech, Zac told Fellows that they would play a pivotal role in shaping the future of tech. “The future isn’t just going to be built by developers who can write killer mobile apps, or code full stack web experiences,” he said. “The future will be built by those who can think differently, who can lean on their diverse experiences to solve the next wave of challenges. And we know that as a Pursuit Fellow, you’re ready for this.” He also reminded Fellows that they were part of something bigger — “a mission, a movement, a community that empowers and provides — a community that is built on you and your success.”

6.1 Fellow Rep - Anthony Gonzalez, former 6.1 fellow and now IOS engineer at Hinge

A year ago, Anthony was working in retail. He had no idea where he was going with his life. He didn’t have high hopes for the future. Today, his future is much brighter. “A year later, I just finished my first day as a professional software developer. Two weeks ago, I got a job offer from Hinge. And now, I’m working there as an iOS engineer. My head is a lot clearer now, and I feel incentive to actually get up in the morning. And for this, I’m grateful to Pursuit for giving me the opportunity to turn my life around, and for the people in my life who’ve supported me along the way.”

6.2 Fellow Rep - Doug MacKrell, 6.2 Fellow

Douglass shared his path to overcoming self doubt and embracing one of Pursuit’s key values: fail forward. “Just because you fail, doesn’t mean you’re a failure. There’s so much to be learned from each failed attempt. And more so, the only one keeping the tally in my permanent record was myself,” he said. “Free from that stigma, I have failed again. And again. And again. And again. Famously, over 18 times in my capstone project alone. But I kept getting back up. And the reason I felt I could get back up was because I saw all of my fellow Fellows doing the same thing. Unafraid to take chances. Unafraid to fail forward.”

6.3 Fellow Rep - Greg Keeley, 6.3 Fellow

Gregory spoke about his experience of finding a community “where I truly belong.” “Know that this community will always be here for you, whether you’re in the Pursuit flex space or the West Coast,” he said. “And as you continue your journey, mistakes will be made, lessons will be learned, and you may even enter the valley of despair. But if there is one thing that I want you to take away after today, it is that this community will always be here for you. Ready to help, ready to listen, and ready to build.”

6.4 Fellow Rep - Maria Martinez, former 6.4 fellow and now web development intern at Happy Cog

Maria shared her experience of working three jobs to save her family home, and how that prepared her to tackle the difficult challenge of launching a career in tech. “If my experiences in my twenties taught me anything, it’s that I am without a doubt gritty,” she said. “Just like I saved my family home, I made it my mission to save myself. Instead of giving up, I gave it all I had. With grit, perseverance, and a sprinkling of zen, I made it happen. And to be honest, if I hadn’t been way down at rock bottom, I couldn’t possibly appreciate the view as much as I do right now. Today, I’m proud to say that I have recently been hired as a Web Development intern for Happy Cog. I’m so excited about this next stage of my journey.”

Pursuit Alumni Speaker - Shaedon Blackman, 4.1 Alumni and Developer Partner Analyst at Packet

For Shaedon Blackman, our alumni speaker for the evening, starting his career in tech wasn’t easy. After completing Core, he received an offer to work as an engineering apprentice at a major tech company — only to have the offer rescinded because of his criminal background. “After that, my world was really crushed, and my confidence, too,” Shaedon said. But with the support of his grandma and the Pursuit community, Shaedon pushed forward. Last year, he connected with Manuela Zoninsein, Pursuit co-founding Op-Board Chair, who recommended him for a project commissioned by Zac’s company, Packet. That paved the way for Shaedon to secure a full-time job as a Developer Partner Analyst at Equinix, the company that purchased Packet.
“It’s really important to be gritty,” he said. “It’s been a two-year process since my graduation from Pursuit. There were many times where I didn’t know how I was going to make it through to the next day. But I believed. Don’t let anyone dim your light. I know it’s hard and it’s going to be hard, but it will be great once you get to the other side.”
Newsletter
Thank you for subscribing!
Make this more personal. Share a bit about yourself to get content that’s relevant to you.

Join the Pursuit community. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date with what's happening.

    • Our Approach
    • AI-Native Program
    • Pursuit Commit
    • Our Team
    • Stories
    • Good Jobs Guarantee
    • Donate
    • Jobs
    • Press
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
Pursuit is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and Public Benefit Corporation (PBC). © 2026 Pursuit. All rights reserved.

We use cookie to personalize and deliver content. By clicking "Accept" you agree to our Privacy Policies