Our Opinion: Computer camp quietly attracts young professionals

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Nurturing and retaining young professionals is a byproduct of a specialty camp now in its second decade.

While recent attention has focused on attracting graduates to our community, Community Professionals on Demand, commonly known as computer camp, has been doing so for 11 years.

The camp, hosted by the Jefferson City Information Technology Coalition, is offered at no charge to Missouri high school students. The 20 students participating this year are among 150 youths served since the program began.

The coalition includes sponsoring businesses and partners with Linn State Technical College and the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Instruction is held on the college campus and prospective job opportunities are outlined during tours of area companies that rely on technology.

“Jefferson City has many technology companies that hire technical employees to do leading edge technology,” said Jill Hansen, a member of the coalition. “If we can educate them and interest them in our companies, there is a higher probably they will return to our community when they graduate. Students tell me they had no idea these type of jobs were available right here in Jefferson City.”

Attracting and retaining young professionals has been a topic of much community discussion.

Computer camp quietly has been doing precisely that.

The program responds to a desire to learn more about technology and reveals the challenging opportunities to use those skills right here at home.

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