CSI Companies, a leading workforce solutions company, recently announced the launch of CSI Connect, a program focused on increasing diversity in the technology field by supporting, mentoring, and recruiting students through their career journey.
This initiative connects students from underrepresented areas with modern technology and opportunities to build towards a promising career. “CSI Connect is about changing the game for these kids, their families, and communities by giving them the opportunity to be someone they never thought they could be,” says Melissa Fulmore-Hardwick, CIO, who initiated CSI Connect with CEO Chris Flakus.
Jacksonville and Tampa, Florida, are rapidly becoming regional tech hubs, with many new and growing companies. While there are currently more jobs than local applicants, CSI identified that underserved students in both high school and college historically have little exposure to technology. The potential is huge, but as Fulmore-Hardwick says, “Many young people in underserved neighborhoods are almost never exposed to technology, besides maybe their smartphones or school computers. They don’t learn about tech at home, and not every school has a technology program.”
CSI Connect currently works in partnership with a high school and two local colleges in Jacksonville, one of which is a historically black university. Eventually, CSI Connect will expand to other markets, including Tampa. The goal of this program is twofold; every year, CSI will extend to five college students an offer to intern at the company, provided they meet certain school performance requirements. After graduating, students who have successfully completed the internship can apply for employment at CSI or with one of its clients. Two interns have started working through the CSI Connect program.
The second goal is to make the tech sector more accessible to marginalized communities of students. In cooperation with Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, a CSI tech lab is being set up in the school where students take a hands-on approach toward getting familiar with tech.
One of the key elements of the CSI Connect program is representation – young adults seeing role models they can relate to. Fulmore-Hardwick and DeShawn Ruffin (CSI Connect program director) show these students they can achieve great things through example and mentorship. Ruffin, brings experience and passion to the initiative with his background working with high-school youth through nonprofit organizations.
“I am excited to help provide a life changing opportunity to our local community, one that could make a generational impact for the upcoming youth. Our company from the top down supports CSI Connect and this passion for making a difference will positively change the course of the future,” says Ruffin.
“Representation matters,” says Fulmore-Hardwick. “The other day, we invited a group of students from underserved neighborhoods to visit us. Just seeing me, a woman of color in a leadership role, shows them they can achieve this too. We believe that in these moments, change can start.”
Being equally representative of the communities we serve is a top priority for CSI Companies. CSI Connect will change the technology market for the better.
For more information on CSI Connect, and how you can support its efforts, please contact DeShawn Ruffin, at druffin@csicompanies.com.
Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, CSI Companies partners with organizations nationwide to deliver solutions-focused workforce services. We have the resources necessary to scale with any enterprise, yet are small enough to maintain the personal service we’ve become known for over the past 27 years. Visit csicompanies.com.