Experience Education (ExperienceAmerica.com), a leading organization in experiential learning, has partnered with Education Service Center (ESC) Region 20 in Texas to bring inspiration and innovation to children during a time of crisis. With kids across the country feeling increasingly isolated and disconnected from their friends, as well as their regular routines, Experience and ESC-20 have come together to give young minds a sense of purpose and connection through a one-of-a-kind virtual Cybersecurity Summer Camp. The goal: to merge the children’s love of technology with the national demand to fill tens of thousands of Cybersecurity roles.
Currently employing more than 900,000 Americans from coast-to-coast, Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing job sectors in the nation. According to a recent study, the U.S. Cybersecurity workforce needs to grow by 62% in order to meet the current demand. Yet less than half of schools in the country offer any education on the subject. What’s more is that access to Cybersecurity education is uneven and seemingly dependent upon geographic location and socio-economic status. Students from small and high-poverty districts are less likely to have any exposure to the field, causing a disproportionate percentage of youth to bypass an industry that is hungry for skilled professionals.
The strategic partnerships Experience is building with ESC-20 and other districts across the country will ensure the Cybersecurity career pathway is accessible for students from all backgrounds. “We’ve secured funding at the state level to offer full scholarships to 45 deserving students, along with Chromebooks to ensure all kids, regardless of socio-economic status, will be able to get the most out of the program,” explains ESC-20 College and Career Military Readiness Coordinator, Naomi Woods. “Together with Experience, we’ll also be providing an additional 55 scholarships. That way, 100 eighth graders in total will be able to take part in this unique virtual summer learning camp.”
Students will be provided with a packed itinerary that will open their minds, introduce them to industry leaders and expand their career pathway. “Thanks to amazing regional partners such as NSA Texas, NICE/NIST, CPS Energy and the FBI, ESC-20 and Experience have been able to offer students a comprehensive program that represents the best of the best,” says Experience Co-Founder, Olen Anderson. “It is our hope that in addition to providing these kids with some connection with their peers during these challenging times, that they will also be inspired by what they learn. Who
knows, sitting on the other end of those computer screens today could very well be the next highly-skilled Cybersecurity experts of tomorrow.”
To learn more about the Texas Cybersecurity Externship or Experience, including their virtual and travel programs, visit ExperienceAmerica.com.
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