Technologist Tales

To set the stage for 2022, Colleen Crino, Chief Development Officer for Creating IT Futures, shares stories about the organization’s many partners, who they are and what they do in collaboration with CompTIA’s charitable foundation.

Accelerating digital transformation takes trained technologists, in a position to thrive. In this miniseries, we feature insights from Craig Perry, Caleb Bellow, and Dustin Seyfert of international IT solutions provider Logicalis about what makes a great technologist, and how Custom Training from the CompTIA Tech Career Academy supports their ongoing mission.

In this Technologist Tales miniseries, we hear insights from Amy Cliett, director of TechGirlz. Learn how Amy launched her tech career, how she shepherded TechGirlz through its pandemic pivot, and how Creating IT Futures, CompTIA’s charitable foundation, serves women interested in tech at any stage of their careers.

Ever heard the expression “Teaching is the highest form of learning?” Listen as technologist Amy Cliett, director of TechGirlz, a program of Creating IT Futures, makes the case from her USAToday/MediaPlanet column that volunteering may be the highest form of learning for women in tech. She also argues that volunteers practice higher forms of networking and resumé-building, too.

What do a small business owner, an operations manager and a special education teacher have in common? In this miniseries, we hear from Gloria Bell, Amy Cliett, and Alicia Park, three key voices from Creating IT Futures’ TechGirlz team, sharing their journeys to discovering a passion for educating, inspiring and connecting the next generation of women in tech.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, this mini-series revisits profiles of four technologists. Each is a graduate of the technical training program developed by Creating IT Futures, now operated by the CompTIA Tech Career Academy. Listen as these grateful graduates explain how support from our organization helped them launch rewarding tech careers. Original Technologist Tales theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Not all paths to successful tech careers pass through the computer science departments of 4-year colleges. Listen to this 5-part mini-series as we advocate for greater diversity, equity and inclusion in the tech industry by sharing the journeys of five remarkable technologists – Mariah Sexton, Kelly Stone, Carolyn April, Maddy Martin, and Nancy Hammervik. Original Technologist Tales theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Amidst pandemic-sparked social and economic upheavals, leading technologists are finding opportunities to prioritize greater diversity, equity and inclusion in technology businesses. Listen as Nancy Hammervik, Charles Eaton, Zac Cramer of IT Assurance, Randi Parker, Brittany Barnett of GEM and Amy Cliett of TechGirlz explain how their organizations tackle this challenge.

Is it possible to develop a more diverse, equitable and inclusive tech workforce, while shrinking our nation’s tech skills gap at the same time? This mini-series profiles Gloria Bell, Randi Parker, Amy Cliett, and Alicia Park, women in tech who are making it happen through their leadership of Creating IT Futures programs like the Women In Tech Summit and TechGirlz. Original Technologist Tales theme music by C. Ezra Lange

What do educators and technologists have in common? A passion for problem-solving, a lot of empathy and the organizational skills to translate understanding into action. Listen as Alicia Park, National Outreach Manager for TechGirlz, shares her journey from full-time educator, to full-time technologist. Original Technologist Tales theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Is there an ideal time in life to launch a tech career? Amy Cliett, director of TechGirlz, a program of Creating IT Futures, doesn’t think so. Listen as she describes switching to a technology job in her 30’s, why she did and how she’s helping the next generation of technologists develop their talents and skills despite the pandemic.

Must the road to a successful technology career begin in a high school STEM program? Or include four years studying computer science in college? No on both counts. Listen as Jason Hernandez, chair of the CompTIA Tech National Alumni Advisory Council, shares how an IT training program operated by Creating IT Futures broadened his job prospects and improved his personal finances. Original Technologist Tales theme music by C. Ezra Lange

The sight of a computer filling an entire room sparked Gloria Bell’s passion for technology at the age of six. Over the years, she translated that fascination into co-founding the Women in Tech Summit (WITS) and earning a leadership position with TechGirlz, a program of Creating IT Futures. Original Technologist Tales theme music by C. Ezra Lange

In honor of the upcoming WITS 10th Anniversary in-person and virtual celebration (October 22, 2021) Technologist Tales is re-releasing our award-winning mini-series featuring remarkable women working in the technology industry. This mini-series won “Silver” recognition from the 27th Annual Communicator Awardsfor distinction in podcasting promoting diversity and inclusion. Original Technologist Tales theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Why should today’s career changers to consider training to become IT support specialists? Because despite pandemic conditions, U.S. employers continue to seek and hire qualified tech talent to bolster businesses and support our nation’s workforce. This mini-series won “Gold” recognition from the 27th Annual Communicator Awards for excellence in podcasting promoting training. Original Technologist Tales theme music by C. Ezra Lange

Why are military veterans excellent candidates for jobs as IT support specialists? Is it the technical training they receive during service? Is it the work ethic they acquire during service? Or is it both? This story won “Silver” recognition from the 27th Annual Communicator Awards for excellence in individual episodes promoting causes and awareness. Original Technologist Tales theme music by C. Ezra Lange

What is a workforce board? And how does one collaborate with the CompTIA Tech Career Academy Custom Training team? Together, they’re helping military veterans, adults in career transitions, and young people from disadvantaged populations find opportunities in the tech workforce – often, with life-altering results. This mini-series won “Silver” recognition from the 27th Annual Communicator Awards for distinction in podcasting promoting causes and awareness. Original Technologist Tales theme...

How is custom IT help desk training transforming our nation’s workforce? Listen as executives from CompTIA Tech’s Custom Training team and one of their key clients provide answers. Together, they’re helping workers in career transitions find opportunities in the tech workforce – often, with life-altering results. This mini-series won “Gold” recognition from the 27th Annual Communicator Awards for excellence in podcasting that promotes training. Original Technologist Tales theme music by C....

What is “Social Innovation?” And how is TechGirlz, a program of Creating IT Futures, practicing this philanthropic discipline to inspire middle-school girls to explore careers working with technology? This mini-series won “Gold” and “Silver” awards from the 27th Annual Communicator Awards for excellence and distinction in podcasting that promotes causes, awareness, diversity and inclusion. Original Technologist Tales theme music by C. Ezra Lange

What is “Social Innovation?” And what role do “chickens” play in practicing this philanthropic discipline at Creating IT Futures? This mini-series won “Gold” distinction from the Hermes Creative Awards for “outstanding work” while promoting a philanthropic cause. Original Technologist Tales theme music by C. Ezra Lange