On-Ramps to Careers is hosting virtual tech internships for 200 local minority high schoolers

A group of local minority high school students are participating in a virtual tech internship program this summer.

On-Ramps to Careers, a nonprofit business-education partnership for young students interested in technology jobs, is hosting the paid internship program virtually for nearly 200 Black students interested in STEM careers. Through the program, the students, who hail from 18 different high schools in the District, they have been matched with 20 technology employers in the region including Georgetown University Information Systems, United Negro College Fund, DHS Cyber Information Security Agency and FEMA. The internships kicked off on June 22.

Our intern Kennedi Parson talks about her first week with On-Ramps to Careers and SYEP. She was matched with The UNCF(United Negro College Fund)! @UNCF @MBSYEP #nonprofit #students #education #college #science #internship #internships #studying #help #assistance #uncf pic.twitter.com/C8Qno5IEPg

— On-Ramps To Careers (@OnRampsTC) June 30, 2020

Rockville, Maryland-based Acquired Data Solutions (ADS), a technology and engineering solution provider, is hosting 40 students for the internship program. ADS developed a unique curriculum for the internship program which is based on teaching students about concepts like technology, economics, arts, marketing and socializing for successful career paths.

“These motivated students will learn brand identification, draft a professional and outstanding resume, use website and video platforms to advertise and market a company, design 3D product models [and] build their own personal brands to ultimately, land that dream job,” said Steven Seiden, ADS president and Byte Back board member, in a statement.

Since its inception in 2013, On-Ramps to Careers has provided 700 internships and training opportunities for minority students. The organization has worked with the Department of Employment Services Summer Youth Employment Program, DC Public Schools and local technology employers to host these programs yearly.