Summer Job Introduces Teens to Tech Sector
Instead of spending the summer surfing the web, TECH CORPS and its partners in Franklin County want to teach students how to build websites for the public benefit.
TECH CORPS and Lead the Way, a youth development nonprofit organization, are currently accepting student applications for a unique summer job experience.
Student WEB CORPS is an eight week work-based learning program for Franklin County TANF-eligible, in-school youth, 14-18 years old. This work experience is designed to provide students with web development, project management and professionalism skills and then to apply those skills in the authentic task of building a website for a small business, nonprofit organization or social cause.
Students will work 25 hours a week and earn $10.00/hour. Students accepted into the program will be assigned to one of five Student WEB CORPS worksites around Franklin County. Each worksite is supported by two technology Supervisor/Instructors and a Site Coordinator. This team has a strong background in web development, design and administration.
“The US Department of Labor predicts that over the next ten years, more than 1.5-million jobs will need to be filled in the technology industry,” said Lisa M. Chambers, TECH CORPS National Director. “Through programs like Student WEB CORPS, we seek to help students make connections between the technology they love to use and the career opportunities associated with the creation of this technology.”
While today’s students are the most tech-savvy generation ever, many have no interest in technology-related degrees or careers. A 2012 CompTIA survey of American teens found that while 96% of them report “liking” or “loving” technology, just 18% indicated an interest in pursuing a technology career. More than 60% of the students surveyed said they had “no knowledge” of what it is like to work in the technology sector.
“To ensure a technologically-literate workforce tomorrow, we must provide students with opportunities to become active creators and designers with technology versus passive consumers and users,” said Chambers.
Students interested in participating in this program can download an application packet at http://bit.ly/1faBCGM or call the TECH CORPS office for details at 614.583.9211. Applications are due by Friday, May 16, 2014. Experienced web developers interested in instructing or volunteering can find details online at http://bit.ly/1pHsw90 or by calling TECH CORPS.
This program is funded by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners and administered by FCDJFS.