Xtern's founder, Keir, received his master's degree in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. For the past few years, he has also been an instructor in the department, imparting his knowledge and passion for Computer Science to the next generation of software developers.
Recently, he participated in an interview with folks from the UNCG College of Arts and Sciences' Communications Department. They created an initiative called See It to Be It. It creates and disseminates informational web-based videos about high-mobility career paths to middle and high school students in Guilford County, North Carolina.
Local professionals in law, medicine, and technology gave their time to share an unvarnished look at the pros and cons of each career path and the preparation necessary to succeed. The videos also feature representation from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, so that diverse students can better envision themselves in these careers.
The overall goal is to demystify the steps necessary to enter careers – especially high-mobility careers. The steps are not always transparent to middle and high schoolers contemplating life goals. This lack of clarity is often especially detrimental to Black, Hispanic, and potential first-generation college students, as they may lack the connections and informal career coaching available to other students.
For Keir, the ability to give back to the Computer Science program that gave him so much was a no-brainer. He also appreciates the opportunity to share his passion for Computer Science with students that may lack exposure to the field. To learn more about the See It to Be It initiative, click here.