The Illinois Technology Association and leading technology companies including PointBridge have partnered in an aggressive initiative to retain the best talent from the state’s top universities, and take back talent that has left the state. The ITA Fall Challenge presented by BigMachines, announced Tuesday, October 12, is intended to have a long-term impact on economic growth across the state and the Midwest.
Illinois boasts some of the top technology programs in the country, with a disproportionate number of university graduates leaving the state. Keeping those students in Illinois will have a long-term impact on the growth and economic impact of the sector to the entire region. To turn the tide back in Illinois’ favor, the Illinois Technology Association (ITA) has initiated the ITA Fall Challenge presented by BigMachines.
‘Too many of our best and brightest leave Illinois, thinking they have to go to Silicon Valley or the East Coast to be successful,’ said Terry Howerton, Chairman, ITA. ‘We are building alliances with our world-class universities right here in our own backyard and focusing on keeping, and then taking back, the great talent that is developed in our state.’
The ITA is educating students on the many opportunities available in the tech industry in Illinois. The lack of awareness of the dynamic Illinois technology industry is at the core of the issue. More than 3,500 Illinois technology companies develop tools that transform business on a global level.
Interested students are invited to take the ITA Fall Challenge, a demanding technical test, to distinguish top students from each program. The top performers from each university are invited to participate in the Final Challenge, with the winning student receiving a $5,000 cash prize and an opportunity to work with a sponsoring company that can create the foundation of their professional network.
PointBridge will join other leaders from across the technology and business community to attend the Final Challenge, meeting these top students and acting as mentors for this elite group. As the students begin making choices about employment and location, this accomplished group of leaders will act as mentors, helping the students make informed choices.
The ITA is visiting the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, DePaul University, Northern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Northwestern University for the inaugural year of the program. The program will continue to expand in future years.
The ITA thanks BigMachines, presenting sponsor, Allscripts, supporting sponsor, and participating sponsor companies including Alterian, Applied Systems, Authentify, Corptax, EDL Consulting, Leapfrog Online, Lextech, MBX, Navteq, Pointbridge, SmartSignal, SPR Companies, Vail Systems, and Vibes Media.
For more information about the Fall Challenge, visit www.illinoistech.org