Technologist Talk

How are relationships between Creating IT Futures and our philanthropic partners holistic and integrated? This chapter offers two prime examples: Verizon Foundation and Workday Foundation. Listen as Jeff Lareau, manager, strategic partnerships, and Alicia Park, national outreach manager for TechGirlz, share two stories of individuals and organizations that make a measurable difference in tech businesses and local communities across the country.

Why are service-industry workers ideal candidates for entry-level positions working with technology? Because service is about listening, then helping others meet needs and solve problems. Same applies to the IT Help Desk. But are enough tech positions out there for today’s career changers? Listen as CompTIA Tech’s Lisa Fasold interviews CompTIA employment research analyst Amy Carrado, who explains why – despite the pandemic’s impact – technology jobs abound.

How are the people that work with Creating IT Futures like chickens? For answers to that amusing riddle, listen as Jeff Lareau, manager, strategic partnerships, and Alicia Park, national outreach manager for TechGirlz, describe how they develop and deepen relationships with the individuals and organizations that volunteer, donate, fund and sponsor programs such as IT-Ready, TechShopz and TechPodz.

In this Technologist Tales sidebar edition, Mark Plunkett and Jason Mangold from the Custom Training team at CompTIA Tech Career Academy discuss reskilling and upskilling our nation’s workforce for the tech jobs of the future. The key? Striking a balance between industry standards – i.e., CompTIA certifications – and custom curriculum – i.e., fostering business soft skills.

Original Technologist Tales theme music by C. Ezra Lange

In appreciation for the donors, sponsors and volunteers who have made the Creating IT Futures mission possible this year – and every year – we share a conversation between Colleen Crino, our chief development officer, and Franklin Reed, director of inclusion and diversity at long-time partner TEKsystems, an organization that has supported for years our youth and adult programs along multiple dimensions across the country.

In time for Giving Tuesday, we share another inspiring story from TechGirlz, a program of Creating IT Futures [a 501(c)3 nonprofit of CompTIA] whose mission is empowering girls to be future technology leaders. Listen as Alicia Park, National Outreach Manager, talks about the launch of TechPodz, a new distance-learning technique that’s creating connection and community for middle school girls, their parents and their technologist mentors during these trying times.