Nonprofit Partners With Colleges to Offer Computer Science Internship Program

Tech education nonprofit CodePath is teaming up with Georgia State University (GSU) and Miami Dade College to accelerate computer science students’ success in the tech industry after graduation.

The CodePath E³ Program is an accelerated program for students interested in software engineering or development. They must have at least two summers remaining before graduation to complete internships. The program is designed to accelerate their careers by placing them in at least one paid technical internship before graduation.

GSU announced the partnership Feb. 15 in collaboration with global media giant Comcast to give students at GSU and GSU’s Perimeter College a pathway to higher-paying tech jobs. Courses began this semester.

“This new program — which further supports our Beyond College to Career and Student Success 2.0 strategic plan pillars — will help us prepare all students, including more women and diverse students, for rewarding careers in tech,” GSU President M. Brian Blake said in a press release. “As a computer scientist and a person of color, this is extra special for me.”

While placement in a job or internship isn’t guaranteed, the CodePath E³ Program will help students become optimal candidates.

The CodePath E³ Program offers students a tight community with one-on-one mentorship, a chance at paid summer internships and tech fellowships, a career fair, career and networking events, support services, and courses.

Students will take classes like:

CodePath also has other opportunities for students outside of GSU, Perimeter College, and Miami Dade.

According to GSU’s press release, 64% of the 20,000 CodePath students since 2017 identify as low-income or from underrepresented communities.

“We are proud to support CodePath and Georgia State University working together to create an inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem in Atlanta with this new program that is being made available to thousands of students,” Donnie Beamer, city of Atlanta senior technology advisor, said in a press release.

“CodePath’s work aligns with our focus on equity, and we are excited to support their efforts to provide high-quality technical training to students from underrepresented backgrounds.”

CodePath is dedicated to creating “the most diverse generation of technologists” by working with colleges and universities nationwide that provide computer science and computer information systems programs.

CodePath said students who land one technical internship before graduation are 65% more likely to be employed within six months after graduation, and students who do two are 97% more likely. CodePath alums also enter the workforce after college with an average salary of $92,000, according to the GSU press release.

The CodePath E3 Program’s collaboration with GSU is supported by federal grants, the Kapor Foundation, and Project UP, a $1 billion initiative from Comcast.

“Comcast is excited to provide financial support to CodePath and GSU to help launch this critically important program that will create new opportunities for students in Atlanta and beyond,” Dalila Wilson-Scott, chief diversity officer of Comcast Corp. and president of the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, said in a press release.

“Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, so we know it is imperative that our educational and career preparation programs have the resources needed to stay up to date. We look forward to seeing Atlanta play a major role in developing the next generation of technologists and engineers.”