Brooklyn Park, MN — What began with a bold career pivot nearly a decade ago has come full circle for alumna Cheryl Davis, who’s now giving back as a mentor in Hennepin Technical College’s Be Bold Break the Mold initiative.
Davis graduated in 2015 with a degree in Network Administration, transitioning into the field after exploring new career possibilities later in life. Her journey from mid-life career changer to thriving IT professional was previously featured when she first graduated and quickly became an inspiring example of what’s possible when determination meets opportunity.
Today, she’s not only successful in her own career but also helping others follow in her footsteps through Be Bold Break the Mold, a mentorship program designed to empower women pursuing careers in high-demand, nontraditional fields like skilled trades and information technology. The Be Bold program connects students with industry professionals for guidance, networking, and career support as they transition from education to the workforce.
In a recent joint interview with her mentee, Nora Falling, Davis reflected on why mentorship matters. “I like showing people how to do what I do. I like encouraging them to move forward wherever their passion is,” she said, emphasizing that encouragement and real-world insight can be game-changers for women navigating fields where they are often underrepresented.
Falling, a recent graduate of the Network Administration and Cyber Security programs, described the impact of that guidance as transformative. She first met Davis through the Be Bold network and later joined her as both an intern and, later, a full-time employee at North Memorial Medical Center. Nora credits the mentorship with building her confidence and helping her overcome self-doubt. “The support and mentorship I’ve gotten from Be Bold has been life-changing. I didn’t think that I had what it took to go into IT, but I had the passion for IT,” she said.
Like Davis, Nora came into her IT studies after over a decade in a different industry, drawing a direct line between her prior work experience and her success in a new profession. “I still can’t believe that I took the risk and actually did it. I don’t think I’d be where I am today without the mentors and the Be Bold network,” Falling shared.
Cheryl Davis’s story illustrates the cycle of empowerment that both Hennepin Tech and the Be Bold, Break the Mold program strive to cultivate. She encourages other career-changers to consider their transferable skills and not feel “stuck” based on their current job or background, a message she believes is particularly resonant for women breaking into technical fields.
The Be Bold Break the Mold program continues to grow as a supportive network where women at all stages of their careers can connect, learn, and advance, proving that when one woman succeeds, she can help many others follow.
Students pursuing non-traditional career paths or individuals interested in becoming a mentor are encouraged to get in touch with the program by email or phone at BeBold@HennepinTech.edu or 952-995-1300.
About Hennepin Technical College
Founded in 1972, Hennepin Tech is the largest stand-alone technical college in Minnesota. With campuses in Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie, the college offers degree and non-degree courses in over 40 programs in the skilled trades and high-demand career fields. Achieving a high job placement rate, Hennepin Tech prepares students for high-paying employment opportunities.