From Stay-at-Home Mom to Microsoft AI Architect | Tech-Moms Success Story

I’m an “OG” Tech-Mom. I had the privilege of being part of the very first Lehi cohort in Fall 2020, back when we were wearing masks to class and the organization even had a different name. At the time, I was a stay-at-home mom doing the occasional part-time gig and trying to figure out what my next chapter might look like. I knew I wanted to move into technology, but I had no clear idea what that actually meant or where I might fit.

During our first week, we took a personality test. Later, an instructor asked anyone who identified as an extrovert to raise their hand. I looked around the room and realized I was the only one with my hand up. That moment pretty much summed up my experience in the cohort 😀. I sat in the front row, eager to engage with presenters and soak up everything I could learn.

At that point, terms like “Fullstack” and “UX/UI” were completely foreign to me, and I had no idea how many different career paths existed in tech. Tech-Moms opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn’t even known were there. I remember thinking during that first week that I had somehow landed in exactly the right place at exactly the right time.

Tech-Moms gave me the confidence to move forward with my education, and I did so at an aggressive pace. I already had an associate’s degree from before having my kids, so I enrolled at BYU–Idaho through the Pathway program. Along the way, I landed an internship as a Project Manager, where I gained hands-on experience with Scrum and the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).

Those years were a huge sacrifice from our family. I was in school full time while my husband, Sam, worked full time. My daughter was under two years old when I started, and I relied heavily on the generosity of friends, family, and neighbors to help watch her while I studied. So many people were absolute angels who helped us make it through, and I know that I was beyond lucky that my husband supported my aspirations! We ate a lot of PB&Js and pizza, but we made it work! In 2022, I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Technology.

My first job after graduation was as a Junior Full-Stack Engineer. That experience pushed me to grow my technical skills and ultimately led me to pivot into Cloud Engineering.

As a Cloud Engineer working on government contracts, I became familiar with AWS, Azure, and GCP. My company encouraged certifications, and I studied hard to earn four certifications, including Microsoft AI-900 and AWS Solutions Architect Associate, in under two years. My work on FEMA AI projects and my passion for the field eventually helped me earn a promotion to AI Engineer II. It was an incredible experience that allowed me to deepen both my technical and professional skills.

Then, toward the end of 2025, something unexpected happened: I was scouted by a Microsoft recruiter. In February 2026, I accepted a position as an AI Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft. For many years, I had aspired to become a Cloud Solution Architect because the role perfectly blends my love for people and technology. I am incredibly excited to be here working at the cutting edge of AI, building relationships with customers, and proudly being part of the Women of Microsoft community.

Tech-Moms truly gave me the boost I needed to take my future into my own hands and pursue my dreams. More than that, it helped me dream bigger than I ever thought possible. I am deeply grateful for the network of women who supported my journey, and I am always excited to cheer on other women as they push forward in their own paths.

My motto throughout school, and still today, is simple: “Yes you can.”

If you’re looking at your next step but feeling overwhelmed or unsure, remember this: Yes. You. Can.

Jessica’s journey is a powerful Tech-Moms success story—one that reflects the real impact of investing in women ready to change their futures. From navigating motherhood and education to building a thriving career in tech and stepping into a role at Microsoft, her path was made possible through support, community, and opportunity. When you support Tech-Moms, you are helping create more stories like Jessica’s—opening doors, building confidence, and empowering women to say yes to what’s next.