Turning former inmates into future software engineers

Breaking into programming is always challenging — especially now — but getting a foothold in the industry while having an arrest record is even more daunting. Formation, an AI-powered interview prep platform designed for present and future software engineers, is offering a leg up to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals.

Formation recently partnered with The Last Mile, an organization providing justice-impacted people with education and employment opportunities, especially in the tech industry. Thanks to the partnership, TLM alumni — who have already received some tech-related training — are allowed free access to Formation's Fellowship Program, which provides support via mock interviews and technical mentorship. Some of the lessons are tailored specifically to the companies applicants hope to snag a job with, including Meta and Google.

"Formation's platform runs on a patented adaptive learning algorithm that rigorously benchmarks an individual's interview readiness across behavioral and technical topics, vs. the industry standard hiring bar and serves them personalized training, career coaching, and technical mentorship to most effectively fill their skill gaps," Formation founder and CEO Sophie Novati explains to Mashable. "Our platform takes into account skill level, prior experience, goals, and job hunting timelines when personalizing the interview prep experience."

Formation's remote learning model, which includes at least 15 weekly hours of daily stand-ups, mentor-led sessions, and panels held by industry leaders, does more than help aspiring engineers brush up on their coding skills.

"Formation instills confidence in these individuals by giving them access to training and resources that is personalized to them, their skills, and their lived experience," says Novati. "Formation also provides them top-tier mentorship and career coaching that helps them understand what the expectations are on the job hunt and on the job itself, and helps them understand how to best frame their experience and background on the job hunt — breaking down mental barriers and imposter syndrome many of these individuals face."

Formation describes part of its mission as helping diversify tech, and its partnership with The Last Mile is an extension of that (Formation typically works with companies on bespoke hiring and training programs and individuals looking for personalized career support). Formation representatives contacted TLM, and the latter group's executive director, Kevin McCracken, saw a big opportunity. Considering how many of The Last Mile's clients aspire for engineering and software positions post-prison, the partnership seemed especially beneficial. Even better, the pairing recently notched its first success story — after completing his internship with Formation, a Last Mile client named Jacob was offered a full-time position with Asana.

McCracken says he's received positive feedback regarding Formation's AI-aided career coaching. People impacted by the justice system "don't want to be called out, they want to take what they have learned and apply it in a career," McCracken says. "Formation really looks past the individual's worst mistake and works with them like any other student. It's refreshing, and exactly the narrative that The Last Mile wants to relay."