Graduate Profile: Dellano Bernard
CityWorks DC Senior Manager of Program & Partnerships, Jerelle Jenkins (left), with CareerWise DC ‘25 Alum, Dellano Bernard (right), Celebrating the Completion of His Accenture Apprenticeship
At CityWorks DC, we help young people in DC launch their careers with real-world experience that opens up professional opportunities for their futures. For Dellano Bernard, a Ward 7 resident who graduated from Friendship Technology Preparatory Academy in 2024, his Technology youth apprenticeship at Accenture, a global professional services company, allowed him to discover that the skills he loved using on cars (troubleshooting, repair, and hands-on problem-solving) were precisely what he needed in the tech world. During his three-year apprenticeship, Dellano attained competencies in tech support infrastructure, core operating systems, as well as hardware and software applications.
Peer Inspiration Sparks Career Discovery
Many students learn about apprenticeships through traditional counseling channels, but Dellano's journey began with peer observation. "My inspiration to become an apprentice was watching another apprentice [alum, Aliea “Frankie” Mansaray] who went to the same school as me leave school early to go to her apprenticeship," he explained. This curiosity opened the door to the CareerWise apprenticeship program and ultimately changed his career trajectory.
This peer-to-peer discovery model highlights how apprenticeship programs create ripple effects within school communities, with successful participants naturally inspiring the next generation of apprentices.
Connecting Passion with Profession
Dellano started at Accenture as a high school junior and then continued to work for one year after he graduated.
Dellano’s apprenticeship revealed unexpected connections between his hobby and his career potential. In Accenture’s Technology Experience Advisor team, he mastered technical skills including laptop reimaging, inventory management across Excel, MTR, and Syviss connection systems, new joiner orientation support, and Surface Hub meeting coordination.
"It has shown me what I really should be doing in life, which is finding a way to make money off of my hobby, which is cars," Dellano reflected. "Fixing them, working on them, and retailing them is how Accenture has impacted me because in TXA LTS, we do the same thing, just with laptops."
This revelation demonstrates how apprenticeships can help young people recognize transferable skills they already possess. Allowing young people to find connections between personal interests and professional opportunities will enable them to explore various career paths.
The Strategic Advantage of Long-Term Learning
Dellano emphasized the importance of an apprenticeship versus an internship. "An intern only gets a select amount of time to work and be a part of the opportunity. An apprenticeship can be up to a year or more," he explained. "You get more experience and more exposure in the field that you applied to while being paid. You get more in the end with the apprenticeship."
His analysis went deeper: "As an intern, you may have to keep reapplying and continuously work within a timeframe. As an apprentice, you are committed for a longer time." This extended commitment allowed him to develop genuine expertise rather than just surface-level exposure, building a foundation for long-term career success.
Discovering Hidden Talents and Market Opportunities
Beyond technical skills, Dellano's apprenticeship revealed personal strengths he hadn't recognized. "This opportunity has taught me charisma and helped me discover that I enjoy helping those in need of support, much like what I do helping people navigate technology," he shared. This discovery of his natural ability to connect with and assist others expanded his professional possibilities within the technology sector.
He also developed market awareness that will serve his entrepreneurial goals: "I knew I wanted to work in technology so that I could fulfill my dream of working in the automotive industry. My apprenticeship is within the technology field; I love technology, and it's shown me that a lot of people don't know how to work with technology."
A Philosophy of Excellence
Dellano's approach to his apprenticeship was guided by a personal philosophy that speaks to his character and work ethic: "In life, you're going to be given a choice, and this choice will appear before you many times, which is the choice to give it 110% every time you do something or don't do it at all."
This perseverance was supported by Dellano’s coworker at Accenture, who became a trusted mentor, and Jubei Brown-Weaver, a CareerWise apprentice alum at Accenture, whom Dellano credits as key members of his support system.
From Nervous Beginnings to Confident Professional
The transformation in Dellano's confidence becomes clear when he reflects on his most memorable moment: "The first interview for the job position, which I remember like it was yesterday because I was so nervous for no reason." That initial nervousness evolved into the confidence and charisma he now brings to helping others navigate technology challenges.
This growth trajectory illustrates how apprenticeships provide not just technical training but also facilitate professional development and self-awareness that enable long-term career success.
Building Tomorrow's Automotive-Tech Entrepreneurs
Dellano's story underscores that young people can strategically use apprenticeships to build skills and networks that support their entrepreneurial dreams. His plan to leverage technology expertise to enter the automotive industry reflects the kind of innovative thinking that apprenticeships can foster when they connect young people's passions with practical skills and experience.
His journey demonstrates how CareerWise DC apprenticeships serve as launching pads for both immediate career opportunities and long-term entrepreneurial goals, helping young people develop the skills, confidence, and strategic thinking needed to turn their passions into sustainable careers.
We're proud to support innovative thinkers like Dellano, who show how apprenticeships can bridge the gap between personal interests and professional success. To learn more about how CityWorks DC can help you build a career foundation through hands-on learning, visit cityworksdc.org/programs.
