AOT Celebrates One Year of Miami Programming

Last month, AOT brought together 49 students and their family members to celebrate their successful completion of our TECH360 Coding Bootcamp. This program cycle marks the 3rd cohort we have served since expanding to the region in summer of 2022. Over the past year, 178 high school students have enrolled in AOT’s Miami programs. 97% of our students identify as Black, Latinx, or mixed race and 57% identify as Female or Non-Binary.
​
“AOT is incredibly proud of the progress we have made in the Miami region over the past year,” says America On Tech co-founder and CEO Jessica Santana. “At AOT we are committed to expanding opportunities for underestimated Black and Latinx students across the country and we look forward to growing our presence in Miami for years to come.

Looking Back on Year One of Miami Programming
​
In June of 2022, America On Tech launched in Miami with its first cycle of our TECH360 Coding Bootcamp, an intensive, 3 week program where students learn the fundamentals of coding through web design and web development. TECH360 teaches industry-aligned technical and professional skills and helps students gain knowledge of key coding languages and frameworks including HTML, CSS, and Bootstrap. For many TECH360 students this marks their first foray into the realm of coding and tech related careers.

Roger McKenzie, a rising high school senior at School for Advanced Studies-Wolfson and one of AOT Miami’s inaugural peer mentors, had this to say about his experience: 

“Before joining Tech360, I had little to no experience with website development and design and lacked the resources to learn these skills. Tech360 gave me the opportunity to get paid while learning the foundations of website development and web design, such as HTML, CSS, and bootstrap. With these skills, I was able to create functional and responsive websites and collaborate with my team to win second place in the Demo Day competition. Tech360 also provided me with the technical and cooperative skills necessary to advance in the technology field. When I saw the chance to become a peer mentor, I applied without hesitation because I wanted to give back to the community that helped me improve my coding skills and help others who are interested in coding.

What’s next for AOT in Miami?

In the coming months, AOT has big plans to continue to expand our footprint in South Florida. This summer alone we are hosting two more cycles of TECH360 with an estimated 130 students participating which will double our total number of program graduates in the region. This will lead into the formal launch of our flagship 9 month Tech Flex Leaders program this fall with 100 students expected to enroll. 

Students participating in the Tech Flex Leaders will go beyond the subject matter covered in TECH360 while participating in intersectional professional development sessions designed to prepare students to confidently pursue degrees and careers in technology. They will also have the opportunity to choose a tech track to specialize in for their second semester from fields such as Advanced Web Development, UX Design, Digital Marketing, and Product Management to further their career pathways.

Applications are currently live for the fall Tech Flex Leaders program - if you or someone you know are interested in participating visit our website at: https://www.americaontech.org/tech-flex-leaders-apply.html​