(TNS) — As Western New York's tech sector grows, workers are needed to fill vacant jobs.
TechBuffalo seeks to aid in that effort by not only supporting the Buffalo region’s current tech ecosystem, but also helping to develop the next generation of tech workforce.
For the second year in a row, TechBuffalo is running a summer program designed to develop professional skills, build networks and introduce area college tech talent and students interested in tech-related careers to the opportunities Buffalo has to offer.
Each year, thousands of students interested in technology or tech-related careers complete local internships or training at the region's roughly 20 universities and colleges. However, according to TechBuffalo, roughly 70 percent of these college graduates end up leaving the region to pursue job opportunities elsewhere.
“We're trying to show that we have a burgeoning tech industry here. It doesn't look like Silicon Valley, but every industry here relies heavily on technology to function and grow,” said Mary Ruel, higher education program leader at Tech Buffalo, who leads the PowerUpTech program.
“Buffalo has meaningful networks, and we want to help build those networks so people stay here,” she added. “And we're really focused on increasing opportunities for students here. They don't necessarily see Buffalo as a tech hub, so we're trying to figure out how we can change their minds.”
PowerUpTech is part of TechBuffalo's effort to capture local tech talent by connecting college students in Western New York's tech community with job opportunities and employers.
A major part of the program was the two-day Community Tech Design Challenge, in which more than 170 college interns split into 30 multidisciplinary teams to apply technology and business acumen to tackle real-world problems presented by three local community organizations.
The design challenge was featured at an expo last week at Seneca One Tower, where college interns from 35 companies across Buffalo were given three-minute presentations showcasing tech-based solutions they had come up with for Journey's End Refugee Services, the Good Neighbor Fund and the Buffalo History Museum.
“I'm from Buffalo so I'm familiar with these organizations and it's nice to see them making an impact in the community I grew up in,” said Meredith Stam, a Nardin Academy graduate who is interning at M&T Tech and will be a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
One of the goals is to help students understand that they don't need to be able to code to take on tech-related roles and be meaningfully involved in the tech industry.
“Technology is so prevalent, and students need experiences like this to see what the future holds,” Stam added.
The Design Challenge gives these community organizations access to student creativity to help solve problems that have real-world impacts.
A history museum asked students to find ways to make its 1901 Pan-American Exposition exhibit more immersive and engaging for audiences, Journey's End needed help helping its refugee clients better navigate public transportation, and the Good Neighbor Fund was looking to use technology to determine the long-term economic impact of the $1,000 microgrants it awards.
“College students are very creative, and at a time in their lives when they're learning and immersing themselves, they get to see things from an outside perspective,” Ruel said. “That fresh perspective and their different skill sets are very valuable.”
Each group was given the task of delegating responsibility, allowing students from various backgrounds and majors to bring different perspectives and step out of their comfort zones when necessary, said Stam, who chose to work on solutions for the Good Neighbor Fund.
“It was really fun to work on that challenge and then go around the room and see what other people thought about our challenge and what other Good Neighbor Fund groups were proposing,” Stam said. “With three minutes to pitch, everyone's imaginations came to life.”
Stam worked with students majoring in engineering, mathematics, nursing and history.
“I would never have met these people, so it's nice to come together and meet new people and further network with mentors and companies,” Stam said.
Equally important in running last week’s event was working with employer and university partners.
In one year, TechBuffalo's hiring partners have grown from 12 to 35. A big boost came from a partnership with the University at Buffalo's Sophomore Experience Internship Program. Experts, mentors, and participating organizations ultimately determined the winners of the competition.
“This program wouldn't exist without these groups, we just help bring it together,” Ruel said.
©2024 The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
