CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - June 20, 2016) - The Illinois Technology Association (ITA) today announced its university participants, which have increased from 15 last year to 21 for the 7th annual Tech Challenge program, a programming and coding skills competition focused on developing and retaining tech talent in Illinois. The goal of the program is to ensure the best tech talent stays in the Midwest to help drive our industry forward for decades to come.
"The increase in universities joining this year's program means greater awareness about the exceptional companies and talent in the region," said Trisha Degg, ITA Talent Programs Director. "Last year, more than 40 offers were extended to students who participated. It just goes to show you…the Tech Challenge isn't just fun, it means business."
Starting in September, qualifying challenges will be held with the participating universities. This initial event lasts approximately three hours and includes an online coding assessment and a presentation from an Illinois-based technology company.
Universities hosting an on-campus qualifying challenge include:
- University of Chicago
- DePaul University
- University of Illinois, Chicago
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- Illinois State University
- Indiana University, Bloomington
- Michigan State University
- Northern Illinois University
- Northwestern University
- Notre Dame
- St. Louis University
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Washington University
Universities hosting a virtual qualifying challenge include:
- Carnegie Mellon
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Loyola University
- University of Michigan
- Milwaukee School of Engineering
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Purdue University
After all of the qualifying challenges are complete, the top 50 student coders are invited to a weekend event in Chicago, November 4-5, 2016, to take the Final Challenge and interview with sponsoring technology companies for internships and entry-level positions.
Find full details about this year's program at itatechchallenge.com
Thank you to this year's Tech Challenge Platinum Sponsor, Trustwave; Gold Sponsors, Allstate, Corptax, IMC Financial Markets, kCura, Morningstar, OpinionLab, ShowingTime; and Silver Sponsors, Backstop Solutions Group, Conversant, Herzum, Optiver, PEAK6 Investments, L.P., and SIM Partners.
About ITA
Illinois Technology Association (ITA) is focused on scaling Illinois tech companies. With innovative resources that allow members to collaborate with each other, build their talent networks, and elevate their local and national presence, ITA is growing the local tech community. Founded in 2005 and supporting 500-plus growth-stage tech companies, ITA has a rich history of driving the business forward. For more information, visit illinoistech.org, follow @ITAbuzz on Twitter or find us on LinkedIn.
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Contact Information:
Contact:
Michelle Cox
michelle@illinoistech.org
+1.312.924.1044
