The following post is by Lawrence Ford, Executive Director of IT-oLogy Dallas/Fort Worth.
“Big D” is one of the most common monikers for Dallas, Texas, IT-oLogy’s newest launch site. The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is the 14th largest global economy in the world, and much of that is due to its backbone of information technology. And with nearly 300,000 IT workers in DFW, the landscape of North Texas is fertile for IT-oLogy to take root.
For example, UT Dallas just launched its new 30,000 sq. ft. Design Studio at the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, established to provide teams of graduating seniors the facilities necessary to complete hands-on projects as part of internships that will prepare them for the workforce. Some 25 teams of students each year collaborate with local businesses on development of real products and processes that will meet real commercial needs, which is at the core of IT-oLogy’s Teach IT initiative.
Around the country, IT-oLogy seeks to partner with programs like the UTD Design Studio in order to match university students with businesses in IT-related internships and capstone projects, encouraging real-world application of the academic principles taught in the classroom. Striking strategic alliances with local DFW schools such as Collin College, Southern Methodist University, and the University of North Texas, IT-oLogy is able to advance the careers of young IT professionals, giving them a head start on developing the skillsets necessary for today’s digital world.
As IT-oLogy DFW establishes a presence in North Texas, we are planting seeds across the landscape of public and private universities and community colleges in order to focus teaching on practical IT initiatives that will eventually grow quality IT talent in Big D and beyond.