CareerVillage Partners with Dell to Produce TechWeek

CareerVillage, a nonprofit that aims to help low-income students better prepare for their future, is teaming up with Dell to produce TechWeek, an online networking campaign from May 16 to 20.

Dell is giving CareerVillage $100,000 to aid in its mission, and the tech giant has also committed tens of thousands of its employees to provide advice and encouragement to students participating in TechWeek.

During TechWeek, students can post their career questions online at the website CareerVillage.org. Each question will be answered by a volunteer, who will likely be an employee working at Dell or other tech companies like LinkedIn, Google, Symantec and more.

More than 8 million high school students are in America’s lowest-income communities, according to CareerVillage, and they face a difficult challenge, since many don’t have the resources to receive advice or ask questions with professionals. A recent National Assessment of Educational Progress report said that only about a third of U.S. high school students are prepared for college-level coursework in math and reading, and the lowest-achieving students are performing worse than ever.

 “Students are flying blind,” said Jared Chung, executive director of CareerVillage, in a prepared statement. “They’ve gotten the message that there is a massive career opportunity in the tech sector, but without having met a real tech professional, students often don’t really know where to get started. We’re here to make access to career advice ubiquitous.”

CareerVillage — founded by McKinsey & Company alums — reached its 10,000th volunteer this month and its millionth student nationwide. Past partners have included LinkedIn and Zynga, which also provided free career advice online.

During TechWeek, educators can also download the TechWeek lesson plan and schedule time for students to participate. Working professionals may also sign up on the CareerVillage website to offer advice to students.

About the Author

Richard Chang is associate editor of THE Journal. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • three silhouetted education technology leaders with thought bubbles containing AI-related icons

    Ed Tech Leaders Rank Generative AI as Top Tech Priority

    In a recent CoSN survey, an overwhelming majority of ed tech leaders (94%) said they see AI as having a positive impact on education. Respondents ranked generative AI as their top tech priority, with 80% reporting their districts have gen AI initiatives underway, or plan to in the current school year.

  • computer monitor with a bold AI search bar on the screen

    Google Rolls Out AI Mode in Search

    About a year after introducing AI Overviews for its flagship search offering, Google has announced broad availability of AI Mode in Search.

  • glowing shield hovers above a digital cloud platform with abstract data streams and cloud icons in the background

    Google to Acquire Cloud Security Firm Wiz in $32 Billion Deal

    Google has announced it will acquire cloud security startup Wiz for $32 billion. If completed, the acquisition — an all-cash deal — would mark the largest in Google's history.

  • students using digital devices, surrounded by abstract AI motifs and soft geometric design

    Ed Tech Startup Kira Launches AI-Native Learning Platform

    A new K-12 learning platform aims to bring personalized education to every student. Kira, one of the latest ed tech ventures from Andrew Ng, former director of Stanford's AI Lab and co-founder of Coursera and DeepLearning.AI, "integrates artificial intelligence directly into every educational workflow — from lesson planning and instruction to grading, intervention, and reporting," according to a news announcement.