Ohio Tech Day looks to inspire the next generation of leaders in tech, innovation

Crain's Cleveland Business

By Jessica Cohen

This piece was originally published in Crain’s Cleveland Business

Across Ohio, companies big and small, nonprofit organizations, schools and government are thinking creatively about how to inspire high school students to become the next generation of leaders in tech and innovation.

On Friday, Sept. 24, we will come together for Ohio Tech Day. This day will bring together the best of our state's growing tech economy to raise awareness among high school students about the role tech and innovation play in Ohio's economic strength and how they can be part of this growth.

Those in the tech community know that growth and innovation are only made possible by the people who make it happen. We have the people we need here in Ohio — thousands of high school students across the state — who, with the right inspiration, training and exposure, can step into a wide variety of industries that are creating meaningful career pathways in tech. Ohio Tech Day is our day to show high school students the opportunities for success in tech and innovation right here at home. Industries such as smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, information technology and engineering are growing right here in the Buckeye State.

As the director of community engagement for Verizon, I see Ohio Tech Day as representative of Citizen Verizon, Verizon's responsible business plan for economic, environmental and social advancement. Verizon has committed $3 billion through 2025 as part of our plan for moving the world forward. One of the key pillars of Citizen Verizon is digital inclusion. We understand that access is only the beginning. That's why we promote technology as a tool to improve communities, education and the workforce.

Verizon, through our Citizen Verizon initiatives, including Verizon Innovative Learning, is helping underserved students across America learn the skills they need to succeed in today's digital world. Through our employee engagement program, Verizon employees across Ohio (and the country) attend career fairs, share videos about their career journeys, mentor students and demystify what it means to have a career in tech. With over 2,300 employees in Ohio, and over 130,000 employees around the world, we know what it takes to build a diverse network of people that are driving meaningful change in tech.

Ohio Tech Day will feature one big virtual event for us all to come together statewide. This will be open to all high school students across Ohio free of charge. We are inviting schools, companies and organizations to host their own event, in person or virtual. Ohio Tech Day partners are also co-creating a virtual resource page with education resources, career profiles and meaningful content for students, teachers, parents or schools to use, free of charge, year-round.

Ohio Tech Day will create a statewide tech ecosystem in support of Ohio's students that will exist long after the actual event. Learn more by visiting www.ohiotechday.org, where you can also sign up for updates, partner with us on programming or submit your professional story to be part of the #iamOhioTech initiative. Get involved by hosting an event, partnering with another organization on an event, or logging on for our statewide virtual event.

I am proud to serve as a co-chair of Ohio Tech Day. It's an opportunity for all Ohioans to engage high school students in new career and educational opportunities, expose them to the world of tech and innovation, and spark them to think about how we can move the world forward together, from right here at home in Ohio. I hope you join us.

Cohen is director of community engagement and state government affairs for Verizon. She is based in Cleveland.

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