Our Vision
America On Tech (AOT) envisions a world where young people of color across the country have equitable access to compete fairly for opportunities in the technology sector.
Our Mission
AOT's mission is to decrease the racial wealth gap by increasing equitable pathways for underestimated students into degrees and/or careers in technology.
The Problem
Computing and technology jobs are the number one source of new wages in the United States.
Computer and information technology jobs are projected to grow 11% percent from 2019 to 2029. (BLS).
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Median salary for computer and information technology jobs was $88,240. 2x higher than the median salary of $39,810 for all jobs (BLS).
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77% of jobs within the next 5 years will require technical skills.
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65% of Gen Z will hold jobs that have not been invented yet.
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However, students are not being positioned to participate in the growing technology sector and we're leaving talented, young people behind. We can see this further reflected in the lack of representation of Black and Latinx employees in the tech industry as well as among those obtaining computer and IT degrees. This disparity is also reflected in the number of women pursuing careers and degrees in technology.
% of STEM professionals choose their career in high school or earlier due to career exposure and courses
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% of students graduating with a Computer & IT degree (2017)
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% of women graduating with a Computer & IT degree (2017)
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% of Black / Latinx students combined graduating with a Computer & IT degree (2017)
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% of women who make up the tech workforce (2017)
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% of Black / Latinx employees who make up the tech workforce (2017)
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What We're Doing
America On Tech (AOT) has been working to create pathways for students into technology careers.
Our Programs
TECH360 is a summer bootcamp program that teaches high school sophomores and juniors the fundamentals of web design and development.
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Tech Flex Leaders is a year-long program for high school juniors and seniors that provides tech skills training and access to internships.
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Access Tech is our career readiness, internship and job placement program for current college students and alumni of our programs.
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Meet Our Alumni
CUNY Lehman College
Class of 2024 AOT Peer Mentor, 2020-2021 AOT Tech Flex Leaders, 2019-2020 |
"With little coding experience I decided to apply for AOT’s Tech Flex Leaders program. My first couple of weeks involved overcoming a learning gap, which my other peers had already overcome. During the process I thankfully had supportive peer mentors, instructors and a program manager who assisted me in completing the assignments and understanding the material. On top of learning HTML, CSS and JavaScript, I also received a chance to visit technology companies like Accenture and FactSet, which helped me get a sense of the variety of work environments careers in technology offer.
Looking back on the progress I made in just one year, I am still shocked by how far I have come. I started as a student who worried her place was not in computer science. However, after several trials and errors, hours of debugging, the satisfaction of seeing creative finished projects and meeting supportive people along the way, I got inspired to keep going forward. This is a choice I am glad I took because now I am an America On Tech peer mentor, assisting others overcome their obstacles, a position I never thought I’d make it to." |
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Computer Science and Information Security, Class of '24 Peer Mentor, 2020-2021 Tech Flex Leaders, 2018-2019 TECH360, 2018 |
I first heard about America On Tech from my teacher. Since then, America On Tech has opened up many opportunities for me.
I had just started getting into technology in my advanced Spanish class when my teacher gave us an assignment to create a game in Spanish. We used a website called Globaloria and while creating the game I just found it fascinating how one simple line of code can do so much. America On Tech taught me more about code and supported me through the STEM field by allowing me to continue in their programs like Techswift, Tech Flex Leaders and even allowing me to peer mentor their programs now. Not only did America On Tech support me professionally, but also personally. They help us with resume building, giving us internships and teaching us how important it is to network with others. Networking allows us to make new connections and new opportunities for our future. America On Tech is an amazing organization that allowed me to further my interest in the STEM field and make many amazing memories with new friends! |
Bronx School for Law, Government & Justice
Class of 2021 AOT Peer Mentor, 2020-2021 AOT Tech Flex Leaders, 2019-2020 AOT UX Design Bootcamp, Summer 2019 AOT TECH360, Fall 2018 |
"I started my journey with AOT at the beginning of 2018 and now, in 2020, I am in my second year of an apprenticeship with Amazon and work as a Peer Mentor for AOT's TECH360 program. In 2018, I was a 10th grader with mediocre grades, whose only skill was being able to double pump in Fortnite, but deep inside me, I knew I could be doing something else. That's when I saw an email from my school counselor about AOT programs and there was TECH360. I signed up for it and ever since, I have been fascinated by STEM.
When I needed aid with interviews, AOT gave me workshops. When I needed to learn Javascript, AOT was there. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for AOT. Now as a high school senior, I am in the process of college searching and I know that as an AOT alumni, I can rely on them to give me suggestions and answer my questions. I am grateful for the past 2 years of AOT programs and I am looking at the future as a Latino in STEM with determination in my eyes." |
City College of New York
Computer Science, Class of 2024 AOT Peer Mentor, 2019-2020 AOT Tech Flex Leaders, 2018-2019 |
"My experience at AOT was a part of a moment of change for me. It gave me the confidence to accept what my interests are and share them with my family, who was unfamiliar with computer science. During my time in the Tech Flex Leaders program, I built on my technical web knowledge, while also learning professional development skills, and attended college and career workshops. I've met people I wouldn't have otherwise. I got to really understand what it means to value and maximize opportunities that are presented to you. One significant takeaway was using my voice to promote and advocate for myself and others as minorities.
Last summer I got the opportunity to intern in the IT department at Community Service Society of NY. I experienced firsthand how IT runs an organization and impacts all businesses and services. I had a great time at my internship, while also obtaining valuable skills. I would not have had a successful internship if it wasn’t for the AOT workshops and experiences provided by the program. This prompted me to come back as a peer mentor for the following school year to assist other students in learning more about the technology field. Throughout the program, with an abundance of resources and opportunities, I have had the space to grow and change the perspective of my future." |
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Computer Science and Information Security, Class of 2024 AOT Peer Mentor, 2019-2020 AOT Tech Flex Leaders, 2018-2019 AOT UX Design Bootcamp, Summer 2018 AOT TECH360, 2017 |
"Looking back to before I found America On Tech, I was the girl who’s voice was never heard, who sat in the back of the classroom and who avoided others. I knew I had a future, but I didn’t have a clear vision of the opportunities that existed. I didn’t know what was out there for me; I had limited knowledge and passions. I was walking in the dark and hoping to find my way.
My time in these programs provided opportunities that were foreign to me: having a mentor, completing a project with talented young people from other schools, and networking with tech professionals. I built and developed a website with my team that provided resources for immigrants. I was able to go to the corporate offices of Twitter, Accenture, and other companies to learn about the Computer Science field and what tech jobs in these companies are like. Last summer, I had the most amazing internship experience at PureWow, working as a Front End Web Developer. Tech professionals at PureWow taught me how to use the app platform React-Native and they enhanced my collaboration and communication skills. It was an experience I will never forget. For every opportunity and every lesson, I’m extremely grateful to America On Tech for enabling me to imagine a future where a tech career is possible." |