Start a Microsoft TEALS Computer Science Program for the 2014-15 School Year

Dear Interested School Administrator,

As December nears, TEALS (Technology Education and Literacy in Schools) is ready to start recruiting new school partners for the 2014-15 school year. TEALS (www.tealsk12.org) is a Microsoft YouthSpark program that helps high schools build a sustainable computer science (CS) program by integrating industry software engineers into the classroom in a co-teaching model with a classroom teacher. A detailed program description can be found at:http://www.tealsk12.org/docs/TEALS_Program_Description_2014.pdf

To learn more about how a school can add computer science to its course offerings, please complete the following action items:

1. Register: http://tealsk12.org/about/register.php?ref=ops&type=schools

2. Attend an online information session to learn more about the program and the school application process. The following school representatives are advised to attend and will play a role in the application process and in building a successful computer science program:

• School administrator
• District CTE representative
• Teacher interested in learning and teaching computer science full-time
• Guidance department representative
• Diversity engagement representative

Call #1: December 9, 2013 at 10pm EST/7pm PST

Join online meeting
Join by phone
+14257063500 (USA - Redmond Campus)
Conference ID: 45560740

Call #2: December 11, 2013 at 7pm EST/4pm PST

Join online meeting
Join by Phone
+19173881000 (USA, New York)
Conference ID: 586271907

On December 9, 2013 a partnership guide will be available. The online application will officially open on December 19, 2013. Applications will be accepted until March 3, 2014.

Please forward this message to other school leaders who may be interested in building a computer science program. If you have any questions, please reach out to TEALS via their contact page (http://tealsk12.org/contact/contact.html). Thank you and we look forward to your attendance at the information session.

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7 Ways to Find the Best IT Jobs

• by Linda Christensen, Robert Half Technologies
• November 21, 2013

 

Top tips for finding the best tech jobs

From software engineer to mobile apps developer, systems analyst to database administrator — there’s little doubt that technology jobs are hot! But where do you start when you’re ready to begin your job search?

A few simple guidelines can help ensure that you’re on the right track to finding the best IT jobs.

1. Build and maintain your personal brand online. This doesn’t mean just posting your resume online anymore. Today’s employers are using a variety of online tools when recruiting for IT jobs. In addition to using the right keywords in the resume that you are uploading to IT job search engines and job boards, you should do the same in your LinkedIn profile. You can also synchronize all of your social media profiles so hiring managers can find you more easily. Just be sure that all of the details on your social media accounts are professional and appropriate for potential employers’ eyes.
2. Develop a target list of companies that you’d like to work for. There is an abundance of information available online, well beyond company websites. Once you identify the companies in your market that interest you, do your homework – check out Glassdoor and Yelp reviews for additional insight and be sure to follow the companies’ Facebook and LinkedIn pages, as well as their Twitter feeds.
3. Review postings on the search engines and job boards that feature IT jobs such as DICE and CareerBuilder. Keep your searches tight using keywords that match your interests and the location where you want to work. Narrowing your criteria will lead to more targeted and relevant job listings and less weeding through non-relevant job listings.
4. Focus on your social network. Maintaining an active network is critical at every stage of your career, whether you’re seeking a new IT job, looking to advance in your current role or developing your skills. Social media channels allow you to easily leverage existing contacts who can help you find new ones. Because you can see who members of your network are linked to, you can ask for introductions. These channels also give you access to groups with similar interests and career focuses.
5. Once you secure the interview, make sure you do everything you can to ace it! Employers expect candidates to come prepared. Thoroughly research the company in advance and be prepared to answer frequently asked interview questions. Follow-up is also key in securing an IT job. Send a personal thank-you note within 24 hours to thank the interviewer (and anyone else you met with) for taking the time to meet with you. This will help differentiate you from other candidates while providing an opportunity to reiterate your interest in the position.
6. Work with a tech recruiter.  A specialized recruiter can introduce you to the right tech opportunity and help accelerate your job search. Recruitment firms have well-developed relationships with employers and are very familiar with workplace trends and the specialized skills that are currently in demand. Perhaps most importantly, specialized technology recruiters frequently know about jobs that have not yet been advertised.
7. Stay positive. We all know searching for a new job can be stressful. But if you feel negative or unenthusiastic, it could come across when you are meeting potential employers and have a negative impact on your prospects. Keep in mind that a positive attitude goes a long way during the job search. As an IT professional, you are working in one of the fastest growing industries around and that in itself is something to feel positive about!

— Linda Christensen

Linda Christensen is the senior director of field marketing and public relations for Robert Half Technology. She has worked in the recruiting industry for 18+ years, focusing primarily on local public relations and marketing strategies. Linda is well-versed in career search trends and frequently tapped by friends for job search and career advice.

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Cal Poly Announces Major New Initiative In Cybersecurity Education

Part of the cybersecurity initiative, the Cal Poly -- Northrop Grumman Cyber Lab is set to open for classes in January

November 20, 2013 Security Dark Reading

SAN LUIS OBISPO -- With the establishment of a Cybersecurity Center, the opening of a new cyber lab and the development of cybersecurity curriculum, Cal Poly is poised to become a leading supplier of cyber-ready experts, professionals and innovators.

Spearheaded by the College of Engineering, the major new educational initiative encompasses a comprehensive and collaborative program that spans the polytechnic university and partners with public and private organizations. The goals of the program include educating thousands of students in cybersecurity awareness and readiness; producing experts in cyber technologies and systems, including many professionals who will serve the military and defense industry; and graduating cyber innovators who are prepared for advanced study and applied research in emerging cyber issues.

The Cal Poly Cybersecurity Center serves as the nexus for a wide range of activities that involve faculty and students collaborating with experts from other academic institutions, private companies, defense industries and government agencies, and research labs. A nationwide search for a founding director of the Cybersecurity Center is now underway.

Part of the cybersecurity initiative, the Cal Poly – Northrop Grumman Cyber Lab is set to open for classes in January 2014. The undergraduate and graduate teaching facility -- the first of its kind in the nation -- was made possible by support from the Northrop Grumman Foundation.

With 32 workstations, projectors, presentation center and expansive whiteboard space, the lab will enable student and faculty experimentation in network security and cyber defense, exploitation, attack, research and development, analytics and visualization. The lab's associated server center offers a robust research environment, including all of the elements of an enterprise-scale information technology operation.

Not only did the Northrop Grumman Foundation provide funding for hardware and software, but the company helped design the facility and sent Dale Griffiths, chief scientist in the Northrop Grumman Intelligence System Division in McLean, Va., to set up and configure the lab.

A unique aspect of the Cal Poly – Northrop Grumman cyber collaboration includes access via network connection to the Northrop Grumman Virtual Cyber Lab, thereby expanding educational and research capabilities for Cal Poly students and faculty.

"Our shared investment in the cyber lab will be the foundation for a meaningful cyber partnership between Northrop Grumman and Cal Poly," said Ron Smith, Northrop Grumman Information Systems sector vice president for programs and engineering.

Cal Poly's momentum in cybersecurity education builds upon an already-established focus in the area, including a two-year-old cybersecurity project lab established with funding from Raytheon. The company also sponsors White Hat, the Cal Poly student club dedicated to making the internet a safer place by protecting personal computers, private data and information systems.

The addition of Zachary Peterson to the faculty in fall 2013 ensures expansion of cybersecurity research and curriculum from entry-level to advanced, specialized topics. An expert in secure storage systems, applied cryptography, and law and policy, Peterson has received funding from the National Science Foundation for research in cybersecurity education. Cal Poly is now searching for another faculty member with expertise in secure infrastructure.

Future course offerings in cybersecurity may include cryptography engineering, study of cutting-edge malware research and analysis, and examination of the major controversies affecting today's Internet resulting from the interplay of policy, law and technology.

"Whether you're a private citizen, private company or government agency, cyber threats are a real and growing concern," said Debra Larson, dean of Cal Poly Engineering. "Our cyber facilities and education offer every student the opportunity to learn about the risks associated with the use of cyber technology.

"More importantly, through Learn by Doing instruction, Cal Poly will educate the Day One-ready cyber experts who know how to defend, secure, tactically engage and restore the cyber-space. By partnering with businesses and government, we are creating a framework of education, applied research and public service that will benefit the nation."

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WebProfessionals.org Announces STEM to STEAMIE Initiative

By adding three key elements, WebProfessionals.org aims to expand and convert the fields of study representing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) into a more inclusive and necessary field.

“Adding Art, Innovation and Entrepreneurship to the national conversation around Science, Technology, Engineering and Math is a mission critical pathway to economic competitiveness,” said Bill Cullifer, Executive Director of the association of Web Professionals, WebProfessionals.org.

The not for profit organization is spearheading the initiative and generating support from a number of experts representing business, industry, education and government. The goal is to discuss and to communicate the critical need to incorporate Art, including Digital Design, Innovation and Entrepreneurship into the STEM conversation.

The initiative would create a new acronym, STEAMIE.

“It’s time to get real about STEM,” Cullifer said. “As much as we are big supporters in STEM, not everyone has an interest in science or math and we need to be more inclusive.”

Mark DuBois, Professor at Illinois Central College (ICC), agrees. “We also need to attract a broader audience including a growing number of women attracted to entrepreneurship and digital design,” he said.

What is STEM?

STEM fields or STEM education is an acronym for the fields of study in the categories of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In the United States, the acronym was first used in education and immigration debates in initiatives to begin to address the perceived lack of qualified candidates for high-tech jobs. It addresses concern that the subjects are often taught in isolation, instead of as an integrated curriculum. Maintaining a citizenry that is well versed in the STEM fields is a key portion of the public education agenda of the United States. The acronym has been widely used in the immigration debate regarding access to United States work visas for immigrants who are skilled in these fields. It also has become commonplace in education discussions as a reference to the shortage of skilled workers and inadequate education in these areas.

What is STEAMIE?

Coined by the membership-supported organization, WebProfessionals.org, the acronym STEAMIE represents the fields of study in the categories of science, technology, engineering, mathematics plus arts, innovation and entrepreneurship. The aim is to be more inclusive and representative of what employers really want or need.

Why is STEAMIE important?

In 2009, the U.S. House Small Business Committee reported that one dollar spent on the Small Business Administration’s entrepreneurial development programs brings a return of $2.87 into the economy. The year before, 2008, these programs helped generate 73,000 new jobs and added $7.2 billion to the U.S. economy, according to a Feb. 11, 2009 press release by the House Committee on Small Business. This speaks volumes to the fact that entrepreneurial development programs, if done well, can be incredibly important to a nation’s job creation efforts as well as its economic development, according to a recent report published by the Gallop organization.

Innovation is important to business and individuals.

Innovation is no longer a “nice-to-have” element of business success; it’s a “must-have,” according to Keith Harmeyer and Mitchell Rigie, principals of www.SmartStorming.com.

“If innovation distinguished between leaders and followers in the recent past, today it increasingly distinguishes between survivors and the barely breathing,” Harmeyer said. “Innovation is the new Darwinism in business; the choice facing companies today is simple: innovate, or perish.”

Innovation isn’t new, it has been a business buzzword for years, Harmeyer said. “We’ve all read about it in business magazines and heard the reports on financial news stations. Harvard Business School professors lecture on it at conferences and scores of books address it. And the same companies are consistently held up as the elite innovators Apple, Google, Nintendo, JetBlue, Toyota, Target (and today again, WalMart). And there are hundreds and even thousands more you’ve never heard of, visionary companies that are seizing the opportunities (yes, opportunities) presented by the current economic phase, breaking the rules, establishing new standards, delivering incredible value, and then starting that process all over again…and again, and again.”

The two partners say that the innovation imperative doesn’t just apply to businesses. It also is a challenge that faces individuals as well. “The time to develop an innovation orientation is not tomorrow or next week or in the third quarter. It’s now.”

Entrepreneurship transforms dreams into profits.

There’s a misconception that people who can’t find work jump into entrepreneurship; however, statistics show that 76 percent of establishments of new businesses in 2003 were due to an aspiration to chase openings, according to canadiantradeenclave.ca.

Entrepreneurship is challenging task but the rewards it gives are often more than what an individual expects.

Entrepreneurship actually provides employment and helps the economy. It also contributes toward research and development and creates wealth for nations and individuals as well. “The business as well as the entrepreneur contributes in some way to the economy . . . in the form of products or services, by boosting the GDP rates or tax contributions. Their ideas, thoughts, and inventions are also a great help to the nation.”

“We can conclude that the higher the level of entrepreneurship is in the nation, the higher is its level of development,” “The crux motive of entrepreneurship is to transform the dreams into a profitable truth . . . Entrepreneurship strengthens the economic growth of a nation, as well as gives power to society, speeds up modernization and transforms the way of thinking of the common man.”

For additional information and in-depth interviews and articles visit http://stemtosteamie.org

About WebProfessionals.org
Since 1997, WebProfessionals.org, aka World Organization of Webmasters (WOW) has been helping aspiring and practicing web professionals and those that teach. For more information about the association, visit http://www.webprofessionals.org.

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US Department of Labor: $100m Youth Career Connect Grants Announced

Youth Career Connect

Program Summary

The Youth CareerConnect grant program is designed to encourage America's school districts, institutions of higher education, the workforce investment system, and their partners to scale up evidence-based high school models that will transform the high school experience for America's youth. Youth CareerConnect schools will strengthen America's talent pipeline through:

• Integrated Academic and Career-Focused Learning: Grants will provide students with education and training that combines rigorous academic and career-focused curriculum to increase students' employability in in-demand industries and prepare them for employment, post-secondary education, long-term occupational skills training, or registered apprenticeships.
• Work-Based Learning and Exposure to the World of Work: Strong partnerships will provide work-based learning opportunities. In addition to actual work experience, youth participants will also participate in field trips, job-shadowing, or other types of opportunities that provide students with exposure to different career paths and prepare them for the world of work.
• Robust Employer Engagement: Employer partners will provide work-based learning and mentoring, creating a path for students to in-demand industries and occupations including those in information technologies, advanced manufacturing and other science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields . Employers will also work closely with schools on professional development and training for staff to drive the sustainability of the program over the long term.
• Individualized Career and Academic Counseling: As an integral part of the program design, students will be provided with individualized career and academic counseling experiences to strengthen their career and post-secondary awareness and explore opportunities beyond high school.
• Integration of Post-secondary Education and Training: Students will participate in education and training, while they are still in high school, that leads to credit toward a post-secondary degree or certificate and an industry recognized credential, where appropriate.

The Department of Labor will use up to $100 million in revenues from the H-1B visa program to fund approximately 25 to 40 grants for individual or multi-site projects. Grants will be awarded to local education agencies, public or non-profit local workforce entities, or non-profits with education reform experience. All grantees will have to demonstrate a strong public/private partnership, and must include, at a minimum, a local education agency, a local workforce investment system entity, an employer, and an institution of higher education. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to employers, foundations, and others in building their applications and leveraging the federal investment. At a minimum, applicants will also be required to provide a match of 25 percent of the grant award. Awards are anticipated to be made in early 2014 for program implementation to align with the 2014-15 school year.                      

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CompTIA: Why Are We Still Talking About Security?

by Seth Robinson on Thursday, November 14, 2013  CompTIA

Security may not be as hyped as other tech trends like cloud computing, mobility or Big Data, but several CompTIA research studies have shown that it remains a top priority for businesses among a wide range of IT initiatives. However, that may not necessarily translate into businesses having a robust security posture or knowing which steps to take as they explore new technology models. CompTIA’s Eleventh Annual Information Security Trends study examines the areas that may need closer attention in order to avoid exposure.



According to the study, more than 8 in 10 companies view their current level of security as satisfactory or very satisfactory. Some percentage of these companies likely do have robust security policies and up-to-date tools, especially among the 13 percent of companies that say they have experienced a drastic amount of change in their security over the past two years. Many other companies, though, show low level of concern for emerging security threats and low levels of adoption for modern security defenses.

As companies utilize new technology trends, they must begin taking a new security approach. Formal risk analysis is only performed by 41 percent of companies, and this discipline can help inform security decisions as data is stored with public cloud providers or made available to mobile devices. Fifty-five percent of the root cause for security incidents is human error, but only 1 in 5 companies view human error as a serious concern. New technology investments will have marginal return in this area; the more effective strategy is to properly educate the workforce.

In addition to these overarching changes, new technical skills and tools are needed as well. Use of cloud systems, adoption of mobile devices and reliance on digital data all require new security processes and products. Many companies may have started using these technologies without fully thinking through the security implications, so security changes may be taking place even as new systems are used in production.

The landscape is certainly becoming complicated, opening opportunity for channel firms. While 85 percent of channel firms claim some involvement in security, only 36 percent of firms offer security as a standalone product or service. In an environment where 75 percent of end-users rely on more than one firm for technology needs, there may be an opening for more firms to specialize in security and ensure that every facet of an end-user’s technology plan is secured.

It seems that the main reason we’re still talking about security is that the message is taking time to sink in. Slowly, companies are realizing that the defenses of the past are not up to the challenges presented by today’s attackers, who are able to monetize any type of data and who show little favoritism between large and small companies. There are many new technologies that enable greater productivity and allow new possibilities, but they also open the door to new threats in security and privacy. Businesses will need to rethink their overall security strategy if they want to remain safe in this new era.

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New Milestone for CompTIA Troops to Tech Careers Initiative: 16,000 Veterans Certified for IT Skills

Nov 08, 2013  CompTIA


Downers Grove, Ill., November 8, 2013 – CompTIA, the non-profit association for the global IT industry, said today its Troops to Tech Careers initiative has reached a new milestone in the number of military veterans certified in the skills that can lead to post-military careers in IT.

Some 16,000 veterans have earned nearly 22,000 CompTIA certifications between the launch of Troops to Tech Careers in October 2011 and Veteran’s Day 2013. In the last year, the number of participants has doubled.

“Veteran’s Day reminds us how important it is to support our nation’s veterans as they transition from active duty to civilian life,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and chief executive officer, CompTIA. “Critical to this transition are creating opportunities for veterans to find meaningful employment in careers that offer long-term options for advancement and growth.”

The IT industry is one in which veterans with the right mix of business, communication and technical skills can find rewarding careers.

During Q3 2013, there were 615,192 core IT job openings in the U.S., according to Burning Glass Technologies Labor Insights. This at a time when unemployment for post-9/11 veterans continues on an upward trend – 10.1 percent in September, compared to the nationwide unemployment rate of 7.2 percent.

“This is unfortunate, because veterans know what hard work is and frequently enter or re-enter the civilian workforce with sought-after skills,” Thibodeaux noted. “We established Troops to Tech Careers to signal CompTIA’s commitment to our veterans and encourage our members and the broader IT industry to join us in this effort.”

Troops to Tech Careers offers veterans a way to hone their existing talents and fill in any gaps through training and certification in the IT skills most sought after by employers.

CompTIA Security+ is currently the most sought after certification among Troops to Tech Careers veterans, with some 9,700 earning the credential. CompTIA A+ is next, with 6,670 veterans certified; followed by CompTIA Network+ (4,490). Veterans have also attained certifications in project management, server technologies, green IT, Linux and storage.

CompTIA is a participant in the White House’s IT Training and Certification Program, a public-private partnership that will enable thousands of service members to earn industry-recognized IT certifications before they transition from military service.

CompTIA also participates in the Department of Defense Information Assurance Program and contributes to the Wounded Warriors Project through its foundation, Creating IT Futures.

About CompTIA
CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through its educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications, and public policy advocacy. Visit www.comptia.org, http://www.facebook.com/CompTIA and http://twitter.com/comptia.



Contact:
Steven Ostrowski
CompTIA
630-678-8468
smostrowski@comptia.org

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