# CNN feature article on Catalyte

- Adam Curtis

_“There are very few places in the world where a person gets an opportunity just based on aptitude. Here is an opportunity that’s changing lives.”_

This quote is from Mike Norris, one of our longest-tenured software engineers. [CNN features Mike’s story in this article](https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/02/success/catalyte-tech-workers/index.html) by [Pariji Kavilanz](https://twitter.com/ParijaKavilanz) on Catalyte and our ability to identify, train and hire untapped talent from unexpected places. From the article:

> When Mike Norris graduated from Baltimore’s Stevenson University with a degree in business information systems, he thought he’d quickly nab an entry-level tech job. Instead, he found himself working as a security guard patrolling parking lots, earning $7.50 an hour.  
> “I graduated in 2001, during the dot-com bust. There weren’t jobs anywhere for my skills,” said Norris. “In the end, I was happy just to have a job.”  
> Today, Norris, now 40, is a senior software engineer earning a six-figure income. He’s been able to buy his first car, his first house and even owns a rental property.  
> Norris credits his success to a five-month training program he participated in at software engineering services firm Catalyte.

Mike Norris reviews a client project with fellow developer Alicia Waide

[Read more here](https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/02/success/catalyte-tech-workers/index.html) about how we can take people from all walks of life and transform them into elite software engineers in a little over two years.