Responses from the participating students to the pilot offering
were overwhelming positive.
Margaret Millea, participant in the 2006
pilot from St. Ursula Academy wrote: "When I began the camp
in July, my understanding of information technology was fairly limited.
The images it brought to mind involved pasty looking "computer
geeks" sitting in front of a screen programming, and in general
not being very involved with other people. I was soon to learn that
IT is just the opposite. What this camp showed me was that IT is
less about learning to control machines, and more about solving
problems for people and businesses. I discovered through many amazing
field trips that IT is in use just about everywhere and provides
solutions on every level. The variety is astounding; from factory
packaging, to product tracking, to performing surgery or creating
a virtual reality for customers to experience buying a product without
ever making it, IT is a necessary component in any business field… In
short, this camp opened my mind to the great diversity of uses that
makes up IT, from simple business solutions and communication to
saving lives, proving that IT is not a narrow career path, but a
pervasive track to the future. Thank you for this great opportunity!”
Avnish Mangal, also a 2006 participant
from Cincinnati Country Day, wrote: “I can't thank you enough.
Seriously, this camp was one of the best things I've done in my
life.... I looked forward to the camp each morning....was wanting
to go into medicine but now all of a sudden, I feel that I want
to go into IT. I am extremely confused right now but I think my
plan is to go into college and take IT courses but still the prerequisites
for medicine. That way, if I decide medicine is for me, I can just
go to medical school for graduate school.”
Vivek Mandan from Sycamore High School wrote: "This week was probably the most enjoyable and productive
week I have ever had. It far exceeded my expectations. It was really
great working with a team on a common goal. I also made so many
new friends from all over Cincinnati. It was great meeting all the
executives from the different companies. I learned that IT is not
just about programming. I had previously thought that programming
was IT. Now I know IT is there to ...solve problems! I would just
like to thank you for making this week such a huge success."
Kathryn Taylor of St. Ursula Academy wrote: "One of the biggest surprises of the camp was that it
made me want to stay in Cincinnati. I have always wanted to leave
as soon as possible! I was astounded by all the great opportunities
in my home town. I told my friends about all Cincinnati had to offer
and they were equally shocked and after I explained everything we
have here, even some of them wanted to stay!"
Alex Beigh of St. Xavier High School wrote:" I would encourage anyone who is looking at a career
in the IT field or anyone who is not sure what they want to do to
attend the INTERalliance IT [Careers] Camp and watch as everything
they thought they knew about IT changed…"
Changing the lives and perspectives of 80 of Cincinnati's
brightest young minds!
For four weeks starting on July 16th, twenty graduating 10th graders each week
got to experience a deep dive into the world of Information Technology at some
of the Greater Cincinnati region's leading employers.
The students were nominated by
their high schools for a wide variety of reasons, each responding
to the request from the INTERalliance for students "who would
get the most out of being shown what's available right here in Cincinnati
in the way of career opportunities in IT."
The 80 students were selected from 16 local college-prep high schools, including
Cincinnati Country Day, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Cincinnati Christian
Schools, Hughes Center HS, Indian Hill HS, Mount Notre Dame HS, Mother of Mercy
High School, St. Henry's District High School, St. Ursula Academy, St. Xavier
HS, Summit Country Day School, Sycamore High School, Ursuline Academy, Walnut
Hills HS, Western Hills University High School, Withrow University High School.
Sixty-five percent of the nominated students were young women! Read
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