Women in Technology (WIT) Cybersecurity Program
Emory Continuing Education (ECE) and Atlanta-based Women in Technology (WIT) are partnering to equip single mothers in Georgia with in-demand skills and knowledge that open the doors to good-paying, high-tech jobs at leading companies including Equifax, Cox Automotive, Global Payments, Cisco, and Rollins, Inc.
The 12-week Fundamentals of Cybersecurity and Information Security Continuing Education Program is unique among the Emory Continuing Education courses offered to the Atlanta community and beyond. Program fees range from free to $500 for participating single moms and other participants. It has specific eligibility and time requirements from the 20 women selected to enroll each semester. Students commit to attending classes on Saturdays for three months to meet the attendance requirements.
The cybersecurity and information security certificate earned by graduates is a core component of WIT’s "Single Mothers Program,” which aims at improving the lives of Georgia’s more than 300,000 single mothers living in poverty, interested in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), and looking for new opportunities to improve their quality of life. According to market research, there are more than 400,000 open cyber jobs in the U.S. with entry-level positions starting around $50,000 per year, any.
CLOSING THE GAP FOR SINGLE MOTHERS
Women make up nearly half of the United States workforce, according to Pew Research. However, they still remain highly underrepresented in the skilled trade industry. A recent 'Women in the Workplace' study found that 40 percent of women in technical roles are the only women in the room at work. A lack of female role models, misconceptions of what it is like to work in a technical field and narrowly targeted recruitment efforts all contribute to the underrepresentation of women in technical careers. (McKinsey & Company)
While the percentage of women in the United States labor force has gradually climbed over the past decades, it is still significantly lower in the tech sector.
Emory Continuing Education and WIT are at the forefront of bridging this gender gap. We are committed to guide and mentor our participants to grow in their career by offering playbook skills and training women how to level up their careers and lives.
There are over 400K+ cyber job openings in the United States with entry level positions starting at approximately $50K per year to $117K per year for IT Security.
SINGLE MOTHERS CYBERSECURITY CLASS PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
- Identify and describe the fundamental security features in an information system
- Analyze and evaluate the information security needs of an organization
- Apply the principles of information systems security
- Assess the effectiveness of various security systems
- Support the formulation, design and implementation of information security systems
- Evaluate, and analyze security threats and vulnerabilities in an enterprise system
- Recommend and assist in the implementation of cybersecurity solutions
- Maintain and troubleshoot an organizational information security system
- Describe the structure and mechanism of IoT and its impact on the elements of cybersecurity
- Explain the principles of incident response and management
- Prepare to take the CompTIA's Security+ professional certification
CYBERSECURITY CLASS PROGRAM DETAILS
20 single mothers are chosen to participate in the cyber security certificate program per semester. We will recruit participants by sharing this opportunity with our WIT networks, our corporate partners, and our nonprofit partners to reach a wide demographic of underserved single mothers, as well as military single mothers, living in the state of Georgia. The participants will be chosen by way of a committee made up of female and male technology executives including a technology executive that is or formerly was a single mother.
12 week course - Fundamentals of Cybersecurity and Information Security Continuing Education Program offered at Emory (WIT partner) by industry experts on Saturdays 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Each participant completing the program will be awarded a Fundamentals of Cybersecurity and Information Security Certificate of Completion from Emory Continuing Education. The intent is to increase participants knowledge and skills in cybersecurity and information security to provide needed education and a certificate for the single moms to acquire an entry level position and/or further their career.
Once the participants have earned the Cyber Security Certificate from the program, WIT will further this relationship by offering each graduate 2 years enrollment at no charge to the WIT.
SINGLE MOTHERS CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM BENEFITS
PLACEMENT SERVICES
WIT in partnership with Patti Dismukes, will work to find jobs for the top 50% of the class giving them the opportunity to get out of poverty and start a new career that will provide a great salary with benefits
SINGLE MOTHER OF THE YEAR RECOGNITION
The participant completing the program with the highest score for that program calendar year and is an ambassador of WIT, helping to get others involved in the program, will be recognized at the WIT Women of The Year annual gala and will be awarded a monetary donation to celebrate their achievement.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & CAREER PLANNING
Each participant will have the opportunity to learn how to "Identify their Purpose and Vision for Life" based on their passions, desires and given tools needed to assist in achieving their goals. They will define their Personal Brand using the skills women need to expand on their capabilities to be successful in their careers and lives. These online courses are a 4-week series of Career and Professional Development workshops offered by WIT and our partner VWH Consulting. These online workshops give each participant the opportunity to attend in the comfort of their home.
PROGRESS TRACKING
Surveys, test results, and success tracking will be implemented for each participant to measure the success and metrics of the program with feedback also from the participants, partners and instructors on ways to improve.
TRANSPORTATION & CHILDCARE
WIT will partner with organizations like Atlanta Regional Commission to receive discounted rates to provide participants with free transportation to and from class and Sheltering Arms who will provide Child Development/Child Care Services (for 1 child, age range 1-4) if needed by the participant for the duration of the course (12 weeks-Saturdays). The childcare provider will also be teaching/training the children in technology so while the mothers are being trained in technology, so are the children.
FREE BOX LUNCHES
WIT will partner with a food vendor to provide box lunches each Saturday through the duration of the program (12 weeks).
WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY MEMBERSHIP
Each participant will become a member of WIT to further network with other women in technology and have the opportunity to volunteer at the WIT events and socials (a great way to meet executives in the technology space.)
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR SINGLE MOTHERS PROGRAM GRADUATES
Each mother that successfully completes the Cybersecurity Program will have earned a Fundamentals of Cybersecurity and Information Security Certificate of Completion from Emory Continuing Education.
Each mother selected to participate in the program will receive a laptop, monitor and mouse and will be able to keep the provided equipment for their own personal use after successfully completing the program. The participants will also receive the course materials, to include curriculum books & lab credentials for the Cyber Security course.
Financial Literacy and Nutritional coaching provided by Warrick Dunn Charities (WDC) as well as the Hearts for Community Service scholarship program.
Life Skills and Career Readiness will be provided by Turknett Leadership Group, providing a workshop on Time Management workshop Corporate Etiquette workshop provided by Mary Carol Alexander, WIT Board.
Resume Writing and LinkedIn workshop to explain the various types of resumes and the important elements in highlighting work history, qualifications and accomplishments provided by Tier4 Group.
Each mother will have the opportunity to attend an "Interview Skills" workshop offered by MATRIX" and the opportunity to participate in mock interview sessions to be prepared and ready for their new interview opportunities.
Each mother will be matched with a Mentor to support them during their 12-week course as well as during their 12-week post-graduation (Onboarding, Education, Placement).
SMP Alumni Panel Discussion showcasing our Single Mothers Program Graduates who answer questions from the current class participants regarding their program experiences.
Mentee workshop on "What it means to be a Mentee" which provides our single mothers with information on the benefits of having a mentor and tips on how to manage their mentee relationship with their assigned mentors hosted by Kelley Chester.
*All the PROGRAM BENEFITS outlined above are provided with tuition ranging from Free of Charge to $500 for the participants in each program semester.