TCS is expanding its goIT summer camp for American students

Updated on: Friday, August 17, 2012

Indian software giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is expanding its 'goIT' summer camp for American students, which was first started four years ago.

TCS's annual goIT programme for students is designed to foster high school students' interest in pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Since its beginning four years ago in Cincinnati, Ohio, the goIT programme has reached over 2,000 students across numerous districts through in-school workshops and its summer camp. It is now being expanded to Midland, Michigan, TCS said.

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder welcoming the TCS programme in its state, said, "The ultimate goal of our reinvention of Michigan is to provide employers and employees with opportunities for success in the new economy, Michigan 3.0."

"TCS has made a real investment in our young people and in our community through the innovative program, goIT. I look forward to its success in encouraging more students to pursue STEM careers," he said.

Surya Kant, President, TCS North America, UK and Europe, said, at TCS, we know firsthand that to succeed in tomorrow's workforce, students across America must have a solid foundation in STEM and be fluent in the technologies that will power the global economy of the 21st century.

"That is why we are so proud to expand the goIT programme into new regions of the country and extend its benefits to more students and inspire them to discover their potential to be leaders in science and technology," he said.

Free for all students, TCS's goIT programme provides in-school IT career and awareness workshops, and hands-on technology education.

Throughout the school year, over 40 TCS volunteers conducted workshops and other training to introduce students to 'cutting-edge' technologies and provide IT career education. The topics covered include basic programming lessons and technology hot-topics such as Web 2.0, social media and mobile technology.

During the summer camp, students participate in a series of analytical and interactive challenges surrounding the IT industry and specific computer science problems.

The highlight of the camp is a robotics competition in which student teams program robots under the guidance of TCS mentors and then compete in a series of challenges, such as obstacle courses and automation activities. At the end of the summer camp, students are recognised for their achievements at a Parent-Student award ceremony.

In the coming years, TCS plans to expand goIT programme's reach to more high school students throughout the US.

Recent statistics show that over the past decade, university enrolment in STEM-related fields has decreased by over 60 per cent in the US, while in 2012 alone over 150,000 tech jobs are projected to be available leading to roughly 2.5 jobs available for every IT graduate in the US.

TCS is expanding its goIT summer camp for American students

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