Uni Genius 2024

Black Women into Tech & Data Programme Introduction

About the programme:

The “Black Women into Tech & Data” 9-month training and career development programme is run by leading STEM charity, Generating Genius, and top multinational Technology and Data Companies. It is designed to support students in their exploration of exciting careers in the Technology and Data Space, as well as give them the skills needed in this space and help them get further relevant experience via internships, placements, and graduate jobs.

The programme provides students with opportunities to learn key soft skills and technical skills needed for a career in Technology.

Students are encouraged to Discover new knowledge around careers in technology and data, Prepare for the next steps in their career, and Upskill to support greatest success.

We do this via 4 main programme pillars: 

1. Professional Networking – Providing opportunities to build meaningful connections with leading Technology firms through mentoring and networking.

2. Industry Experience – All students have the opportunity to attend an insight week run by one of our partner companies. This gives students the opportunity to discover more about technology and data careers, upskill both on their soft skills and technical skills via workshops and a hands-on project, and network with professionals at the company at all levels and learn more. Students have the opportunity to apply and interview for exclusive 6-week paid internships in Technology and Data with some of our partner companies.

3. Job Preparation – Through engaging workshops led by our business partners and Generating Genius alongside the 12-week one-to-one mentoring programme. Students develop relevant soft and technical skills needed for the workplace in technology and data but also useful for other careers. Soft skills, such as leadership and communication, very much needed in the workplace, are developed through our year 10 give back mentoring programme where our older students mentor younger students interested in careers in Technology.

4. Like Minded Community – Students engage in the programme alongside a number of like-minded peers and professionals. As well as this, students have a dedicated small group project Technology and Data competition over the summer which really helps them bond and network over a common goals.

This has been a fantastic programme and the students have fed back saying they are now much more confident in making applications to Tech companies and doing Tech related courses.

The creation of Technology projects in showcasing your skillset is so important as part of being employable in Tech and often is what makes candidates stand out. We have found that not all of our students are aware of this. We want to give our students an opportunity to start really developing their Tech portfolio and get into the habit of working on projects in their own time to showcase. Students had the opportunity to create their own Technology Innovation project and upload this to their Github pages as well as create a short presentation about their project. Mid way through creation they had  the chance to get feedback and support from Technology Company representatives. They then had  their project reviewed and  presented  this back to a panel of judges and Technology representatives from different companies at the Presentation Day and Networking Event.