02 Feb CivTechSA + SA Works Job Shadow Event
Today was an amazing day: the City of San Antonio’s (COSA) Government and Public Affairs (GPA) and Information Technology Services (ITSD) departments and CivTechSA teamed up with SA Works, a branch of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, to match high school students with civic challenges during the annual SA Works Job Shadow Day.
SA Works matches students with companies throughout San Antonio each year so students can get hands-on experience at a day-in-the-life tour of our dynamic workforce. This morning, roughly 20 high school students came from Brackenridge (SAISD) and South West Legacy (SWISD) High Schools to the GPA department, wherein the GPA and ITSD departments, the Office of Innovation, and CivTechSA staff shared what their jobs entail and how they got there.
But, this Job Shadow Event takes it one step further: Not only were students getting a chance to learn from the City and entrepreneur communities, but they were also asked to review COSA’s website and provide feedback on how it can be improved. Students will also split into teams and work on a pitch presentation throughout the semester and, ultimately, pitch their ideas to the City and CivTechSA.
The first half of the day was spent at the GPA department, then the students walked next door to the Geekdom Event Center and listened to a presentation on entrepreneurism from Dax Moreno, CivTechSA advisor and the new COO of Readitfor.me, the number one book summary service for entrepreneurs, executives, and business coaches.
The students rounded out the afternoon eating pizza, collaborating on their ideas on how best to help the City, and a quick tour to see what Geekdom has to offer budding entrepreneurs.
Today was a huge milestone for CivTechSA that really speaks to its core mission: to connect students, companies, and the tech community with the City to solve community challenges and grow civically-minded tech talent. Our ultimate goal is to build a city of problem solvers that are focused on improving our city now and in the future.
For more information about the CivTechSA partnership between COSA and Geekdom, and how you can get involved, email us at civtechsa@geekdom.com.