This article is sponsored by TripleTen. Use discount code SALARY for 30% off any TripleTen bootcamp!
Not every path into tech starts with a computer science degree. For Gerardo Antolino-Torres II, it began with a baseball glove, progressed to a sheriff’s badge, and ultimately led to a world of bug reports and software testing.
After years in law enforcement, Gerardo made the bold decision to change careers, and TripleTen’s QA bootcamp helped him turn that pivot into a reality. Today, he’s a Software Tester at KBR Inc., supporting the U.S. Navy with tools that have real-world impact.
From the Field to the Firewall ⚾
Gerardo’s first passion wasn’t tech, it was baseball. He played professionally in the minor leagues before moving into law enforcement, where he worked for six years. “I had a passion to help people, to make a difference,” he said of his time in public service.
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Eventually, he felt he had hit a ceiling and wanted to find a path that allowed him to grow professionally while continuing to make an impact.
When Gerardo stumbled upon quality assurance (QA), something clicked. “You find a bug, they fix it, and you see the result—that kind of direct influence really drew me in,” he said.
Landing His First Tech Role 🛬
After completing TripleTen’s QA bootcamp and earning his QA certification, Gerardo dove into job hunting, with a career coach from TripleTen guiding him along the way. He sent out more than 300 applications before his persistence paid off. He landed his current role at KBR Inc. in November 2024, where he now works as a Software Tester in support of the U.S. Navy.
What skill helped him stand out? Automated testing.
“The people interviewing me didn’t even have automation experience yet,” he said. “But they were trying to implement it, and I had already learned it through TripleTen.” Just three days after his final interview, he received a job offer and officially became a Software Tester.
A Paycheck—and a Purpose
In his new role, Gerardo supports mission-critical software for the U.S. Navy, work that holds deep personal significance for him as his brother-in-law is a pilot, and one of the systems he tests is used to document the actions of military aircraft. “I can have an effect on that and potentially save his life,” he shared.
He also appreciates the newfound calm that comes with the switch to tech: “I’m a lot less stressed. I don’t have to dodge bullets, I don’t have to dodge knives, I just have to dodge questions sometimes.”
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Now earning $75,000 a year and working toward his ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certification, Gerardo is thriving in a career that allows him to continue helping people, without the danger that came with a badge.
Advice for the Next Career Changer
Gerardo urges others to lean into their lived experience when making a transition. “Always use your past experience to show how it can be an asset for the company,” he said. For those open to a new path, his story proves that it's never too late to start fresh.
And you don’t need a computer science degree, either; all you need is motivation and the right program (click here to learn more about TripleTen’s bootcamps).
To connect with Gerardo and learn more about his journey, reach out to him on LinkedIn.
This article is sponsored by TripleTen. Use discount code SALARY for 30% off any TripleTen BootCamp!
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