Christiana Care-sponsored ITWorks program holds graduation ceremony
Tech Impact’s ITWorks program, which provides free, in-depth information technology education and internship opportunities to young people between the ages of 18 and 26, honored its 17 latest graduates at a ceremony at Christiana Care’s John H. Ammon Medical Education Center in December. Among them were two students who completed internships in the Information Technology department of Christiana Care, one of the program’s sponsors.
More than 170 candidates applied for the 16-week program in which students complete 11 weeks of classroom software certification education, five weeks as interns in the IT departments of program sponsors, and weekly sessions dedicated to “life lessons,” including stress, conflict and time management and resume writing.
“It’s a transformational experience,” said Randall Gaboriault, Christiana Care chief information officer, senior vice president of Innovation and Strategic Development, and a member of the Tech Impact Board of Directors. “And it is very much an extension of The Christiana Care Way and our commitment to benefitting our community.
“ITWorks creates pathways of opportunity … pathways that will ultimately have positive effects on them, their families and our neighbors in general.”
ITWorks graduate Howard Limberry spoke highly of his internship in Christiana Care’s IT Department, saying he is ready to launch his career thanks to the skills he developed studying in the classroom and supporting the networks of Christiana Care. He thanked the department’s staff members for their welcoming support and inside look at information technology’s role in a large, professional organization.
His fellow intern and Christiana Care teammate Nathaniel “Sonny” Williams agreed, calling his Christiana Care mentors friendly and supportive and thanking them for making him feel important.
“I was pretty much an administrator of Christiana Care’s networks and felt like I was doing something great,” Williams said. “I left with greater professional skills, ready for the next challenge.”
Among Limberry and Williams’ Christiana Care mentors was C’Aira Carter, an IT analyst and ITWorks alumna. Addressing its latest class, she said the program gave her a clear direction and the confidence to set and pursue constantly increasing goals.
“Because of the program, I’ve been able to step out of my comfort zone, and as a result, I am where I am right now and have a bright future,” Carter said.
Anthony Pisapia, associate executive director of TechImpact, co-founded and oversees ITWorks and said the 175 people who’ve graduated to date have done so because “they come driven and hungry and wanting more out of life” and appreciate the opportunities provided by sponsors like Christiana Care.
“The opportunity to work side by side with the Christiana Care team is huge,” he added, calling it part of “a perfect relationship. Christiana Care has been terrific.”