CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Sep 10, 2013) - The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) kicks off its 4th annual Fall Challenge, a programming skills tournament that lets top technology students from 10 Midwestern universities meet, interview, and connect with Chicagoland companies looking to hire new talent.
Colleges and universities across the Midwest, including some of the top-ranking technology programs in the U.S. and around the world, hold individual Fall Challenge events. The top 50 finalists convene in Chicago October 24-25, 2013 where they undergo a challenging series of programming and algorithm tests and compete for cash prizes, as well as a full day of networking and interviewing with ITA member organizations.
More than 1,700 students have participated in the three previous Fall Challenges, gaining a personal introduction to the Chicago area technology community.
"The Fall Challenge addresses a major focus of the ITA and businesses everywhere: the shortage of top technical talent," said ITA President and CEO Fred Hoch. "The ITA is committed to fostering and developing talent, and this event directly introduces hundreds of the best and brightest technical minds to dozens of ITA member companies that are looking to hire. Our flagship talent event of the year, the Fall Challenge proactively educates students about internships, jobs and the tech climate in Illinois, and introduces these brilliant young software engineers to the forward-looking companies that want to be first in line to meet them."
The colleges and universities taking part in the 2013 ITA Fall Challenge are:
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
- University of Illinois - Chicago
- University of Chicago
- Indiana University - Bloomington
- Northern Illinois University
- Northwestern University
- Purdue University
- University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
- DePaul University
The Fall Challenge is supported by industry, community and academic leaders charged with developing an ongoing conversation among civic organizations, government and education to support the vibrant technology community. The Illinois Innovation Network, an organization established by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn in 2011, to host the 2013 Fall Challenge. 2013 Fall Challenge supporting sponsors are ADP, Adsensa, Backstop, Corptax, HERE North America, kCura, OptionMonster, SAVO Group, and United Airlines.
For information on Fall Challenge sponsorship, visit www.itafallchallenge.com.
About ITA
The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) is the driving force behind Illinois' vibrant technology industry. ITA's extensive lineup of curated member programs and services address three key critical areas: growth, talent and visibility. By leveraging the connections and expertise of its more than 600 member companies representing a workforce that is 50,000 strong and growing, ITA provides the ecosystem growing technology companies need to succeed. For more information, visit www.illinoistech.org, follow ITA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/itabuzz, and view the ITA's Facebook profile at www.facebook.com/illinoistechnology.
Contact ITA at headquarters@illinoistech.org, follow the discussion on Twitter at @itabuzz, and visit www.illinoistech.org to find out more about how ITA supports the growth of the local industry.
Contact Information:
Michelle Meek
(m) 773-220-3120
mmeek@clearedgemarketing.com