Program to Connect High Schoolers to IT Careers
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA collaboration designed to prepare high school students for careers or further education in information technology has been launched. The Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing program at IUPUI has received a $150,000 grant from JPMorgan Chase to support the Informatics Diversity-Enhanced Workforce initiative. April 28, 2015
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The IU School of Informatics and Computing at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, in collaboration with JPMorgan Chase, will launch a workforce development project called iDEW — Informatics Diversity-Enhanced Workforce initiative — with an event April 28 at the Chase Tower in downtown Indianapolis.
As part of the April 28 event, JPMorgan Chase will present a $150,000 grant to support the initiative.
The iDEW program will teach information technology skills to local high school students to prepare them for academic and future career opportunities in the IT industry. It will engage 90 high school students from three area high schools — Pike, Arsenal Tech and Providence Cristo Rey — through a year-round enrichment program that will help them progress toward earning four-year college degrees.
The initiative consists of learning engagement modules focused on familiarizing students with core informatics and computing concepts, showcasing real-world application of those concepts, and introducing career opportunities. The learning modules have an overarching and interactive theme of “Computing for Social Cause.”
“Careers in information technology offer high-wage employment opportunities, and yet more than 35 percent of these jobs go unfilled in Central Indiana,” said Al Smith, chairman of JPMorgan Chase Indiana. “JPMorgan Chase is excited to partner with Indiana University's School of Informatics and Computing to pilot a program that allows high school students to earn dual college credit and industry-recognized credentials in this field and encourage diversity of the IT workforce.”
The iDEW initiative will also help students elevate their overall academic performance, including:
-Improving communication skills
-Obtaining skills in team-based work and collaboration
-Significantly improving self-esteem and confidence
“We feel a sense of responsibility in assisting with the preparation of the workforce of the future,” said Mathew Palakal, executive associate dean of the IU School of Informatics and Computing at IUPUI. “There are over 1.2 million unfilled jobs in the IT industry, and there is an estimation of 39 percent will go unfilled by 2020. These jobs are high-paying and available all over the United States. We want to ensure the success of these high school students by inspiring their interest in informatics and computing and providing them with the necessary skills to secure these jobs.”
With additional support from the R.B. Annis Foundation, the Care Group, and Old National Bank, the iDEW initiative will begin in the fall of 2015 with its first learning modules.
About IU School of Informatics at IUPUI:
The Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing was established in 2000 as one of the first schools in the nation dedicated to education and research in informatics. Informatics uniquely integrates computing, social science and information systems design to study how we use technology to communicate, work and engage. That knowledge is then applied to develop innovative IT solutions impacting our communities, science, healthcare, entertainment, law and business. The IU School of Informatics and Computing is located on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and offers an array of certificate, B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. programs. For additional information, please visit www.soic.iupui.edu.About Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
As one of seven Indiana University campuses, IUPUI is known as Indiana's premier urban research and health sciences campus and is dedicated to advancing the intellectual growth of the state of Indiana and its residents through research and creative activity, teaching, learning and civic engagement. Nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and other notable publications, IUPUI has more than 30,000 students enrolled in 17 schools, which offer more than 250 degrees. IUPUI awards degrees from both Indiana and Purdue universities. IUPUI–Fulfilling the Promise.
Source: IUPUI