From server to SEO star: How this woman broke into tech with help from a local bootcamp

When Maja Mateska moved to the United States in 2014, she found herself caught in the restless pace of the hospitality industry: working double shifts, juggling unpredictable hours, and feeling the mental and physical tolls every day.

Originally from Macedonia, she earned a degree in e-commerce/digital marketing with hopes of building a career she was passionate about. But in her new life, she struggled to find time for the things she loved. So, after moving to Miami in 2021, and spending a few more restless years in the hospitality industry, she knew there had to be more.

“I really wanted to change my career and pursue something new. I wasn’t enjoying the activities I loved with my old schedule,” Mateska said. “In Miami, I was meeting so many people in the marketing industry. It was always super inspiring.”

Her curiosity turned into opportunity after she saw an Instagram advertisement pop up from Creative Hub, a Miami-based accredited (licensed by the Commission for Independent Education) marketing and tech bootcamp, posted by a woman who inspired her years ago.

“I was following Arijana Koskarova’s work on Instagram because she had a few schools back home in Macedonia and Kosovo,” Mateska said. “I saw she was opening up an artificial intelligence marketing course in Miami, and I was extremely interested.”

In October of 2024, Mateska reached out to Koskarova, asking for more information about the new program. After an in-depth conversation about what to expect, Mateska knew it was the right program for her.

“Creative Hub has been around for eight years, and over that time, our Digital Marketing program has become our most popular,” said Koskarova, founder of Creative Hub Miami. “But over the past year, we noticed a big shift with the rise of AI. We started having conversations with our partner companies, and discovered a common need: businesses want employees who aren’t just marketers, but who also felt confident using AI tools in their daily work. That’s when the idea for our Digital Marketing & AI program was born.”

Creative Hub’s Digital Marketing & AI course, launched in early 2024, lives within the technical school’s Digital Marketing Academy program – a bootcamp (with five or eight month programs) designed to help students master essential marketing skills, such as social media strategy, digital advertising, copywriting, SEO, and email marketing. The new AI course combines foundational marketing skills with hands-on training in AI tools and programs, teaching students how to apply them effectively in real-world roles.

“Maja’s story is a true American success story,” Koskarova said. “She came to the United States with ambition and drive, but like many, she started off in hospitality because it was the easiest job to find. Still, she knew she wanted more. She wanted a career.”

Mateska enrolled in the program in January of this year, through a scholarship from Miami Tech Works’ Miami Tech Talent Coalition, a collaboration of employers, academia, and community organizations creating new tech pathways for residents and students. Miami Tech Works is funded with a $10 million grant awarded by the Good Jobs Challenge initiative from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

For the next few months, Mateska learned from employers, classmates, and instructors on content creation, copywriting, social media, digital marketing, and SEO strategies, all while creating hands-on projects she presented to peers, instructors, and mentors.

Additionally, throughout the program, Creative Hub held their monthly hiring contests, where they connect participants with recruiters and companies looking for talent.

The skills Mateska learned are skills she now takes with her at her new job as an SEO specialist for Dema Solution, after winning the hiring contest within the second month of the program.

“Through Arijana and Creative Hub, I was able to connect with agencies and people who work in digital marketing, which led to an actual job offer,” Mateska said. “And for those still looking for a job, in the last month of the program, instructors will help participants with their resumes, while working with a recruiter to help them find their dream job.”

With only a few weeks left until graduation, Mateska is looking forward to learning more about SEO and exploring her creativity through different educational opportunities, all while going back to her roots – marketing and innovation.

“I feel calmer with this new life. When I finish work I have time to do the activities I love and see my friends – it feels wonderful,” Mateska said. “No experience in your life is wasted – every job teaches you a valuable lesson. I embraced the experience while learning new skills, which has led me a long way.”

*****

For employers: How to get involved in the Miami Tech Talent Coalition

Your involvement can make a significant difference in shaping the future of Miami’s tech industry, creating a vibrant and sustainable tech talent ecosystem. Together, participants can continue to build Miami as an innovative hub and a desirable destination for businesses and tech talent.

• Join the Coalition here. Employers can also specify a work group they are interested in.
• Attend a meeting: The next in-person general meeting will be June 12. Find out more and register here.
• Stay connected with the coalition’s progress and updates by signing up for their newsletter here, reviewing the website here, and following Miami Tech Works on LinkedIn and Instagram.

READ MORE IN REFRESH MIAMI:

Refresh Miami is a proud Miami Tech Works partner.

Krysten Brenlla is the Media Relations Specialist for Jackson Health System, where she manages media relations for the health system’s cardiology, neurosurgery, rehabilitation, and Miami Transplant Institute service lines. Prior to her role at Jackson, Krysten worked at Florida International University as an Account Manager for FIU’s Office of Engagement. In 2022, Krysten obtained her master’s degree in Global Strategic Communication from FIU.

Latest posts by Krysten Brenlla (see all)