Need Tech? Try The ITA Fall Challenge!Illinois and the Midwest boast some of the top-ranking universities for technology in the United States and around the world. Despite the talent being nurtured in the Midwest, there is a continued shortage in Illinois -- and across the country.
Per
Inc.com, software engineers and web developers are the top two most difficult roles to fill, nationally.
Crain's Chicago Business reports the same is true here in Illinois. So how do we address this ongoing tech talent gap for the local growing tech industry?
The ITA Fall ChallengeThe Fall Challenge is a programming skills tournament for technology students at targeted Illinois universities. ITA invites participating companies to meet, interview and connect with the next group of technology talent.
Fall Challenge finalists from each university gather in Chicago where ITA hosts the Final Challenge, offering an incrementally challenging exam with cash prizes, the opportunity for participating companies to meet and interview finalists and a chance to increase the awareness of the local tech industry to this next generation of professional talent.
2012 marks the 3rd year of the ITA Fall Challenge. To date, we have met with more than 1,700 technology students across Illinois and the local region, introducing them to the growing local tech industry. Nearly 20 positions have been filled with students sourced from the Fall Challenge who otherwise would not have known their eventual hiring company. We are gearing up for 2012 program and invite ITA member companies to develop the awareness of their company with this in-demand group of upcoming professionals.
With the support of the
Illinois Innovation Council (IIC), the ITA is doing even more in 2012. We will be engaging 11 universities in the region and will educate more than 1,000 students on the local tech industry.
ITA has also created the Fall Challenge Leadership Board, committed to developing an ongoing conversation with universities, industry leaders, civic organizations and government to support the vibrant tech community. With economic recovery being led by technology-based companies, we must retain and attract talent to the region for its long-term health.
We will visit these outstanding Illinois universities as part of the 2012 ITA Fall Challenge:
• Bradley University
• DePaul University
• Illinois State University
• Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
• Loyola University
• Northern Illinois University
• Northwestern University
• Southern Illinois University
• University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
• University of Illinois - Chicago
• University of Chicago
Want to get involved? Contact us at talent@illinoistech.org