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October 25, 2021CanCode Communities, Microsoft Team Up to Introduce Students to Tech Careers
Middle- and high-school students will receive a firsthand look at exciting careers in the technology sector when volunteers from CanCode Communities and Microsoft visit 8 classrooms across the Capital Region during October.
Held in conjunction with the Microsoft Employee Giving Program, the first-ever event will pair Microsoft volunteers with members of CanCode Communities. Microsoft volunteers will discuss their personal career journeys, sharing how they became interested in the tech field and the steps they’ve taken along the way. They will also highlight desirable tech careers to help open students’ minds to the possibilities of working in the high-tech sector.
Meanwhile, members of CanCode Communities will discuss the organization’s innovative approach to training non-traditional talent – from coding and software courses to hands-on K-12 programs and community digital literacy workshops – to pursue growing opportunities in the technology field.
“We’re thrilled to work closely with Microsoft to help students discover the exciting world of technology careers,” said CanCode Communities Founder and CEO Annmarie Lanesey. “We hope to inspire students to envision their own bright futures, and ensure they know that if they have the interest and passion, great opportunities await them in the tech field.”
The classroom visits, which will include in-person facilitators as well as virtual volunteers, are scheduled as follows:
• Wednesday, October 20, 7:50 – 8:36 a.m.
Lansingburgh High School, 320 7th Ave., Troy, NY
Microsoft Volunteers: Michelle Hogan, Pam Lane
• Wednesday, October 20, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Capital Region PTECH, SCCC Campus, 78 Washington Ave., Schenectady
Microsoft Volunteer: Pam Lane, Michelle Hogan
• Wednesday, October 20, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology, 94 Delaware Ave., Albany
Microsoft Volunteers: Jerry Napolitano, Peter Chynoweth
• Wednesday, October 20, 4:00 p.m.
Connect Center for Youth, 49 Johnston Ave., Cohoes
Microsoft Volunteers: Michelle Hogan, Pam Lane
• Friday, October 22, 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Capital Region PTECH, HVCC Campus, 80 Vandenburgh Ave., Troy
Microsoft Volunteer: Pam Lane, Matt Abbatiello
• Friday, October 29, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology, 94 Delaware Ave., Albany
Microsoft Volunteers: Jerry Napolitano, Peter Chynoweth
CanCode Communities and Microsoft initially began working together over the summer through the launch of Microsoft’s Accelerate: New York program, which provides a pathway from skilling to employment for community members in the tri-state area to bridge the digital skills divide and route people to diverse and equitable hiring and re-employment opportunities.
Each year, Microsoft dedicates the month of October to helping charities through its annual Giving Campaign. Microsoft matches time that its employees volunteer in the community, donating an annually designated amount per hour to the eligible organizations they serve. Through this effort, they are helping nonprofit organizations – in this case, CanCode Communities – to educate students about essential technology and skills.
Launched in 2016 as AlbanyCanCode and rebranded this year, CanCode Communities now includes 7 entities: AlbanyCanCode, KingstonCanCode, NewAmericansCanCode, SaratogaCanCode, HerkimerCanCode, NewYorkCanCode, and BerkshiresCanCode. More than 300 students have graduated from its courses, securing tech jobs with leading employers – including Accenture, Goldman Sachs, New York State Office of Information Technology Services, MVP Healthcare, and Zones, among others – and receiving average annual salary increases exceeding $18,000.
For more information, visit www.cancode.org.
