#NUforNE: Supporting the Tech Revolution

The world is going through a technological revolution, and employers are adapting to these new needs and goals by hiring more workers with technical expertise to help with innovation and strategy.

A report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that computer and mathematical jobs will have the second-fastest growth rate over the next decade. Nebraska, like many other states, is trying to raise its tech profile to stay competitive, but its workforce crisis could be a barrier to success.

Fortunately, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is helping in this regard. As the state’s only metropolitan university and with its College of Information Science & Technology, UNO is educating students in computer science, cybersecurity, data analytics, and other tech disciplines, and collaborating with Omaha companies on hiring students for internships and full-time positions.

Scholarships for a Better Future

Dr. Martha Garcia-Murillo, the Dean of the College of Information Science & Technology at UNO, understands the importance of providing scholarships to students. As an economically disadvantaged student herself, receiving scholarship assistance was life-changing.

Garcia-Murillo is now focused on providing scholarship opportunities for IS&T students who may also be the first in their families to go to college or come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Without financial support, these students may not have the opportunity to participate in internships that could lead to better-paying jobs. To address this issue, she created the Learn and Earn program to offer students four years of paid job experience, including job shadows, micro-internships, and year-long internships.

Learning by Doing

Experiential learning, the process of learning by doing, is at the core of Garcia-Murillo’s philosophy. By engaging IS&T students in hands-on experiences and reflection, they can better understand and apply what they learn in the classroom. The college works with employers to create job-shadowing, micro-internship, and internship opportunities for its students.

These experiences familiarize students with the work environment and may lead to job offers upon graduation. They also give students the opportunity to build their professional portfolios, become independent thinkers, and develop the skills needed to become leaders in their field.

Related Facts

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs in computer and mathematical fields will increase at the second-fastest rate of any other field over the next decade.
• Nebraska is facing a workforce crisis with not enough workers to meet the demands of employers.
• The College of Information Science & Technology at UNO works closely with Omaha companies to provide students with internships and full-time job opportunities.
• The Learn and Earn program at UNO offers students four years of paid job experience, including job shadows, micro-internships, and internships.

Key Takeaway

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is leading the way in supporting Nebraska’s tech revolution by investing in scholarships and experiential learning opportunities for its IS&T students. These investments will help to fill the tech workforce pipeline with UNO graduates who can help the state compete in the tech industry.

Conclusion

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is committed to creating opportunities for its students to develop the skills they need to succeed in a technology-driven workforce. By offering scholarships and experiential learning opportunities, UNO is helping to ensure that its graduates are ready to take on the challenges of the future. As Nebraska continues to seek new ways to raise its tech profile, UNO will play a pivotal role in supporting the state’s tech revolution.