We understand your challenges,
Tech Talent Academy
is here to help!

What does Tech Talent Academy do? 🌎
Industry Mentoring: Norbert Monfort, VP, IT Transformation and Innovation, Assurant

We are building a community of Learners and Job Seekers

Are you facing challenges in landing that dream internship or full-time job in software development? We understand it’s a complex and competitive landscape. The FIU Tech Talent Academy (TTA) is here to help you become the best, most informed, and career-ready version of yourself.

TTA bridges education and industry, providing students with essential skills and experiences like building robust Open-Source software portfolios and equipping students with hard skills, soft skills, and career readiness confidence to excel in the tech industry.

By joining the TTA community, you step into a tailor-made learning environment to prepare you for the challenges and opportunities in software development.


Contact Us to Learn More:

techtalent@fiu.edu

Why Tech Talent Academy? 🤔

Hands-On Experience

TTA’s curriculum focuses on open-source development projects and timely career advice, giving you practical experience that employers value.

Mentorship from Experts

Receive guidance from experienced professionals in the field, offering insights that go beyond typical classroom learning.

Industry-Relevant Skills

We ensure you learn the most current and in-demand skills and career readiness tools in the tech industry. Students will explore building AI-enhanced apps and developing code using AI pair programming techniques while leveraging AI-powered career-prep tools.

Networking Opportunities

Connect with industry professionals and alumni, opening doors to potential job opportunities. Participating in developer networks builds your reputation and career network.

Events
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Career Development Courses

TTA offers industry-oriented micro-credential-based training that integrates seamlessly with FIU’s career readiness activities.

  • CIS 3590 & Software Development Internship Ready Micro-Credential

Students contribute Hands-On to an Open Source software project as a team by using Git and Github, applying Scrum software project management techniques, and learning a core framework or platform.

  • CIS 4257 Empowering Emerging Tech Talent

The course will provide career development tools and techniques for securing a job. Students will develop critical thinking skills, professional communication skills, how to demonstrate professional judgement and understand effective leadership. This is a 3-credit course, letter grade. Prerequisite: Senior Standing. Corequisite: Panther Career Ready Micro-Credential (TTA Staff will enroll you)

  • Panther Career Ready Micro-Credential (Provided by Career and Talent Development)

This badge recognizes knowledge in identifying resources critical to career success. Earners must demonstrate career readiness by creating a resume, developing an elevator pitch, completing a mock interview, and applying best practices to improve their LinkedIn profiles.

Please Note:

– Students will work hand-in-hand with TTA Peer Advisors and Jr. Career Specialists to identify challenges in completing the micro-credentials, while exploring opportunities to improve their progress using software development and career readiness tools.

– CIS 3590 Internship Ready Software Development: Students must register for this free zero-credit course on my.fiu.edu. Upon requesting registration in this course, students will be notified when the TTA Program Manager approves the Admissions Form and authorizes your registration in the course so you may complete the enrollment on my.fiu.edu.

– CIS 4257 Empowering Emerging Tech Talent: Students must register for this course on my.fiu.edu.

Testimonials

I strengthened my technical and professional skills from the TTA Courses. Through the Software Development Internship Ready course, I gained experience with Git, GitHub, project management, Agile methodology, APIs, and open-source project contributions. Regarding the Career Readiness section, I took away knowledge in best practices for my resume, behavioral interview tips, applying for internships/jobs, crafting a captivating elevator pitch, and how to network efficiently. These skills helped enrich my career search journey, and I will use them to present myself confidently and professionally to employers.

Nicole Sanchez
Spring 2024 Cohort

This experience helped me connect the dots between computer science and the workforce. Tech Talent Academy taught me the skills and strategies industries use to prepare me for my internship this summer.

Rayhan Marrero
Spring 2024 Cohort

I learned a lot in TTA. On the non-technical side, I learned about networking and how to use the STAR method. On the technical side, I was able to learn how I could contribute to an Open-source development project. I was able to add to my resume new skills like Git, APIs, Scrum and project management. I was able to secure an internship after TTA. The faculty running TTA are truly dedicated to helping students.

Harrison Perez
Spring 2024 Cohort

Join TTA

Act Now and Feel Confident About Your First or Next Job Interview!

Join us in a journey of learning, innovation, and community building! This service is free for enrolled FIU tech students (sophomore to 1st-semester Seniors).

Fill out the Admissions Form before the deadline Tuesday, January 7th at 12:00pm and embark on a journey that will set you apart in the tech world. 🚗🧑🏾‍💻📲

Students admitted into TTA must show a commitment to securing their first job and/or internship by meeting TTA requirements on course completion, career preparation tools, and attending and participating at career related events and activities. If you are not there yet please come back in the future when you are ready to accept this commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions ❓
TIHS ACCORDION IS PURPOSEFULY HIDDEN
What is the Tech Talent Academy?

The Tech Talent Academy is a program offered by FIU KFSCIS. TTA provides hands-on experience in the tech industry, focusing on industry-relevant skills. The curriculum includes open-source development projects, career advice, and the use of AI-powered tools.

TTA offers mentorship from industry professionals, providing insights beyond classroom learning. Networking opportunities allow students to connect with industry professionals and alumni, opening doors to potential job opportunities.

How can I join the Tech Talent Academy?

The Tech Talent Academy is a free service for students enrolled at FIU with a declared major that is related to tech, and are between their sophomore year, up to first semester seniors.

TTA applications will be open, and available to view on this page through an admissions form.

What is the Mission of the Tech Talent Academy?

At the Tech Talent Academy, we’re not just about coding; we’re about creating innovators and thinkers. Our mission is to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world tech challenges.

TTA was designed to prepare students more effectively for the competitive tech job market. The focus is building robust open-source software portfolios, an industry best practice that significantly boosts students’ employability. By equipping students with hard skills, soft skills, and career readiness confidence, the Academy aims to make them stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.

If I am not a computer science major, is the Academy for me?
If you are in a technology degree with the intent of pursuing a software development job, the TTA is for you, regardless of your major.
How can I meet with the Tech Talent Academy team?
What career preparation tools are integrated into the TTA course offerings?
Students in TTA participate in a career readiness program (Panther Career Ready) developed by Career and Talent Development, which features AI tools to help them improve their resumes, interview prep, and overall career narrative. Career Accelerate is a career preparation case management program that allows tech students to set job-seeking goals and receive career assistance from Peer Advisors and Industry Mentors.
What are Micro-Credentials?

Micro-Credentials are designed to prepare all learners with critical skills for the 21st century. More and more, employers are looking to hire workers for their skills, not just their diplomas.

A Micro-Credential is a digital representation of a competency that a learner can demonstrate. By earning a Micro-Credential, you are able to identify skills to strengthen your competitiveness as a current student and for your post-graduation success.


What Micro-Credentials can I earn?

Upon completing the SDIR course, you will receive an FIU Micro-Credential issued by Credly.com. The badge name is Software Developer Internship Ready, covering Git/GitHub, Agile program development and project management, and building Open Source projects for your software portfolio, and much more.

What is the duration of the TTA courses?
The courses are 9-weeks in the Fall and the Spring semesters, and 6-weeks during the Summer semesters.
Meet the Team

Jessica Castillo Fernandez

Program Manager

Tech Talent Academy
jcastill@fiu.edu

Apply Now

If you are interested in becoming a Jr. Career Specialist, contact us at techtalent@fiu.edu

 

Apply Now

If you are interested in becoming a Jr. Career Specialist, contact us at techtalent@fiu.edu

Supporting Team

We would like to thank the following teams for their support with the Tech Talent Academy:

FIU College of Engineering and Computing

   Dr. Jason Liu, Endowed Computer Science Professor and KFSCIS Director

   Steven Luis, CEC Executive Director for Technology

Experiential Learning with Technology

   Alina Parbtani, ELT Director

   Lauren Nieves, ELT Coordinator

Industry Advisors

   Norbert Monfort, VP, IT Transformation and Innovation, Assurant

   Alex Roque, Principal Engineering Manager, Microsoft

   Leonardo Correa, Sr. Software Engineer, GitHub

   Dr. Juan Mancilla-Caceres, Staff Machine Learning Engineer, Meta

Career and Talent Development

   Dr. Ruth E. Pacheco, Executive Director, Integrated Industry Partnerships and Career Readiness

   Audrey Johnson, Career Specialist

Partner Events
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Resources

Looking for additional resources to aide you in career development, financial management, or lifestyle advice?

  • Learn more about additional resources that available to you at FIU.