The University of Nevada, Reno is recruiting its third cohort of students for TechWise, a program aimed at advancing diversity and equity in the tech sector, as the program expands its collaborations. TechWise, a groundbreaking program supported by Google and spearheaded by TalentSprint, welcomes its newest collaborator, Carnegie Mellon University - School of Computer Science (CMU-SCS). CMU-SCS joins as the academic partner for TechWise. Applications are open through January 30. 

“The University of Nevada, Reno is thrilled to continue its partnership with TechWise as we enroll our third cohort of students in the program,” Executive Vice President and Provost Jeff Thompson said. “The experience has proven to be invaluable for our students, boosting their job prospects and their confidence as they enter the competitive field of software engineering. Bringing on the academic perspective and expertise of CMU-SCS will greatly enhance the already successful collaboration between tech giants Google and TalentSprint.”

Introduced in 2022, TechWise stands as an extensive 18-month immersive program designed and delivered by TalentSprint. The University is one of eight institutions in the nation selected to participate in the program. The TechWise fee is fully sponsored by Google which makes it completely free for the participants. It is further supplemented by an additional scholarship that aids in covering essential expenses. Moreover, participants benefit from Google's dedicated mentorship, fostering their professional preparedness. The recent inclusion of CMU's School of Computer Science as an academic partner marks a significant enhancement to the program. Faculty from CMU-SCS will offer specialized master classes to the students of the TechWise program. Students who clear their assessments will be awarded a certificate of completion from CMU-SCS's executive and professional education team.

Since its launch, over 200 minority students from participating community colleges and four-year degree colleges across the United States have reaped the rewards of TechWise. While Cohort One has successfully completed the program, Cohort Two is presently midway, with numerous participants achieving remarkable milestones. This includes securing full-time positions or internships in leading tech firms and gaining admission into higher education programs. Set to begin in early 2024, Cohort Three will enroll 110 students across the country including up to 15 students from the University of Nevada, Reno, continuing the legacy of empowering aspiring individuals through this transformative initiative.

“In almost every interview I have had for software engineering roles, the employer has always asked about TechWise and the projects I did during my time in this program,” University TechWise student Jessica Nam said. “It helped me realize just how valuable this program is to my future and it makes me a strong candidate in this competitive industry.”

Applications for cohort three of TechWise are open now through January 30. Interested students are encouraged to apply.