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What is career readiness?
What career skills you need, how to get them, and why they're important
Case study
New York Public Schools Regional Cybersecurity Externship
Playbook to Success.
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The Problem
Today, the high-tech STEM field is a major factor in an ever-evolving economy. Creating opportunities for students to engage with industry in these fields outside of the classroom, however, remains difficult.
Lack of accessible Work-Based Learning in the High tech Sector
A challenge to bring local industry to the table on a consistent basis
Limited opportunities that are not available to an entire class, making it difficult for CTE teams to deliver on workforce readiness
The Ask
With a vision to take their Cyber Pathway to the next level, NYC Department of Education selected Work ED as a partner to build a Cyber Externship in collaboration with local industry professionals that would align with their requirements of workforce readiness.
Provide students with hands-on, industry developed, work-based learning in the Cyber field
Provide this opportunity to an entire class and make it more accessible to students
Build a network with local industry for continued exposure and bring real-world learning to their schools / pathways
The Solution
Work ED developed a regional Cyber Externship during Spring Break of 2021, joining together districts and industry partners from New York City.
Built relationships with local companies and key cyber talent to support the workforce ecosystem where students networked with industry experts to gain professional mentors and internship opportunities.
Turnkey solution for both education and industry to participate while gaining maximum value and exposure
Able to provide Work-Based Learning opportunities at scale through cohort-based externships
Outcomes and Exposure
Work ED supported students' growth and learning outcomes desired by CTE departments
Students were highly engaged and found the experience life-changing
Students offered paid Summer Internships were identified via our SEL skills assessment providing valuable data points to potential employers
100% of companies and talent signed up to join the next series of Externships and supported work-based learning throughout the school year
Future Outlook
“These externships have been built into the New York City Department of Education school year and annual budget. Work ED is creating a continued ecosystem connecting local industry, organizations and NYC school districts who are supporting the development of youth getting to high-tech careers.”
Outcomes
Audit Data
97%
Would Recommend Externship to a friend
95%
Wanted to Choose Cybersecurity as a Pathway in School and Beyond
96%
Enhanced Collaboration and Teamwork Skills
95%
Said the Externship Helped Them Network With Potential Future Employers
97%
Said they now have a Better Understanding of How to Reach Their Career Goals
Meet Our Cyber Heroes
Meet Our Cyber Heroes
Bernardo Vasquez
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) - Hudson Travel
Laura Deaner
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) - Northwestern Mutual
Idalia Ramos
Senior Security Analyst at Accenture Federal Services
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