Santa Monica's Youth Technology Program places a cohort of 14 students in a technology rotation covering specialized IT functions within an enterprise operating environment and experience as a member of a startup.  The goal of the 6 week program is to compile a group of Santa Monica's  high school juniors, and seniors immediately following their graduation, with varying levels of interest and exposure to technology.  The program introduces IT concepts and careers, and provides an overview and real life experience in Information Technology.  Program members attending in both their Junior and Senior year are invited to return after their first year of college for an internship opportunity with a Santa Monica tech company.  The program requires attendance from 9am-4pm Monday-Friday between June 17, 2013 and July 26, 2013 with the exception of the July 4th Holiday. 

The experience will provide a one week hands-on technology workforce development program to offer students the opportunity to gain a broad exposure to leading IT projects in the enterprise environment—specialized software systems, telecommunications, web development, and help desk functions.  Students will apply critical thinking and collaboration skills to current challenges in developing mobile sites, implementing an asset management system, deploying new telecom technologies, and gain a high level overview of enterprise IT functions.  Following the one week overview, the group will meet regularly at a Startup incubator for 5 weeks to develop a civic-oriented tech startup.  During “Start Up Night” the group will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges (venture capitalists and civic leaders) to select the winning project.   

Skill Development: 

·         Understanding of IT functions/roles and responsibilities 

·         Project management 

·         Time management 

·         Creative Problem Solving 

·         Collaboration 

·         Written and Verbal Communication 

·         Marketing and Business Development 

Are you a Santa Monica resident attending high school in your junior or senior year as of January 1, 2013?  If so, apply today online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/H5JW5NB!  The deadline to apply to the program is April 1, 2013.  Please contact Gary Carter (310) 434-2612 or email gary.carter@smgov.net with any questions regarding the program.