University Launches first ‘Youth in Technology’ Summer Camp

Students disassemble computer to examine its components.

The Department of Community Outreach and the WorkSource of the Coastal Bend launched their first “Youth in Technology” summer camp June 4, on the University campus. The camp runs through July 6.

The first phase of the summer program encourages area students to pursue engineering, computer technology, healthcare and other high-demand/target occupations in the Coastal Bend. Fifteen students age 17-21 who expressed an interest in technology-related careers were selected to participate in the camp based on their proficiency in high school mathematics and language skills.

“The Youth in Technology Career Camp was designed to address the loss of young talented professionals who are leaving the Coastal Bend in pursuit of higher paying, high-tech jobs elsewhere,” said Carole Peterson, the University’s director of Workforce Development. “Many young people are not even aware of the opportunities that exist here with local industries.”

The camp is divided into two phases. Participants spent the first phase strengthening their math, computer science, engineering and technical writing abilities as well as learning resume writing, interviewing and business etiquette skills. During the second phase, participants are serving internships with local industries where they observe professionals at work and apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the camp’s first phase. The participating students were chosen from a 12-county area served by the WorkSource of the Coastal Bend, which is funding the project.

“WorkSource is proud to be a partner with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on this endeavor,” said Mary Ann Rojas, president and CEO of WorkSource. “Building tomorrow’s workforce is a priority and the Youth in Technology Career Camp was designed to address critical needs in the Coastal Bend, including outreaching high-paying and high-demand jobs that are available in this community.”