<prompt> Human: original postIts been a year since I got out of prison and thought about updating for a few months but wanted everything to be absolutely settled before I did. I ended up moving to a more tech friendly city and the job search was still rough. I actually got a job offer 2 weeks after moving and was so excited to start. They asked about my background and I was totally honest with them. After some discussion, they still wanted to hire me but then a few days later I got a call saying HR wouldnt allow it. I was pretty beat up. Over the next few months I got a few interviews and even job offers but any time the background check came up I was denied. The only thing worse than not having a job is knowing you have the skills to get hired but something like this holds you back. Im not going to lie and say it was easy. I broke down some nights but picked myself back up the next day and put out my application again. I worked at a restaurant to make some kind of money and it was rough. I was coming home with 10 sometimes and wondered if this was really going to be my life.I continued to get calls from debt collectors but ignored them everytime. In the end of September I was having a particularly rough week making no money a work serving tables and had a job interview lined up. I didnt really have much hope for this job but figured screw it. Later that day they told me I had the job but at that point it didnt even bring me excitement as Ive heard that line before. I did the usual background check and waited for the fatal call. A call came that Friday and was told I was to start on Wednesday of next week. I was confused and in disbelief. Everyday for a few weeks I expected someone to call me or pull me to the side work and tell me theres been a mistake. For the first three months I never even brung anything to put on my desk cause I figured it was any moment now. I worked there making more in one week sitting at a desk doing what I love to do than I was busting my butt for an entire month at a restaurant. Finally, one day in Janauary I was pulled to the side. The hiring manager asked me to see him in his office and he had a pretty serious look on his face. He sat me down and told me Ive been doing very well these past couple of months. My supervisors are impressed with how fast Ive caught on and they decided to give me promotion. I was blown away. So here I was, 4 months into a job and I was offered a promotion with a great raise. I still work hard everyday there. I study up and learn more and try to improve myself with programming everyday. I look back at those few months where I was job searching and know that I made it as far as I did because even on days I was so depressed I didnt even want to get out of bed, I still got up and tried. What else could I do? I still worry about the future but for now, I want to work here for a while getting as much experience and time behind me so my criminal history will pale in comparison to my skills and drive to succeed. Ive even managed to get a pretty good girlfriend who know all about my past and weve been dating for five months. Shes supportive and is proud of how far Ive gotten and how much I still do to make sure my past does not define me. Ive helped a number of people start on their programming career and have even given presentations for new comers. Have I gotten some back lash? Yes, but screw those people.As for my loans, Ive saved up an emergency fund for 6 months and as of 2 weeks ago, I paid the last bit I owe on my credit card. I still have a mountain of student debt but I pay it off bit by bit. I dont get anymore calls about money I owe and well, life is alright. I hope anyone who is in a similar situation as me can look at this and know, someone in the same boat as you has made it through and succeeded.---TLDR; hard work and perseverance pays off.  <response>: Great to hear! Glad you found a good job and are on the right track! 