City Colleges Students Get Help Launching Their Careers in Technology at ThinkChicago Launchpad

Students from across City Colleges of Chicago gathered at Google’s Chicago headquarters in Fulton Market on Friday, November 8 for an engaging event to help launch their careers in technology. ThinkChicago Launchpad, an event organized by World Business Chicago, gave students studying computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, and more the chance to connect with each other and professionals in the industry.

Aero Ramirez and Ania Gatheright were two students who took advantage of the unique opportunity. Throughout the afternoon, they networked, took professional headshots, participated in mock interviews, and simply enjoyed being at Google Chicago.

“The opportunity to step into the building of a global company is an opportunity I wouldn’t want to miss,” said Aero, a Wright College engineering student. “It’s even better that it’s for something I’m interested in.”

Both Aero and Ania are Star Scholars who graduated from George Westinghouse College Prep in the spring. While Aero is studying engineering at Wright, Ania is studying computer science across the city at Kennedy-King College. She hopes to one day work in game or app development and said she enjoyed the chance to hear from professionals like Wright College alumna Bianca Harmon about their career paths.

Bianca is a former cybersecurity apprentice turned IAM engineer at McDonald’s, and she delivered the keynote address at the event. She previously worked in healthcare administration and shared her journey about getting started in the tech industry and using the resources at Wright to grow her career.

“I stand before you all as a career changer—as a person who believes in the power of the pivot,” said Bianca. “Looking back, it was the resources at [Wright] College and the support from those around me that made this pivot possible.”

Bianca encouraged students to believe in themselves and stick with their education—even when things get challenging. Other speakers, including Ayoka Noelle Samuels, Associate Vice Chancellor of Technology Strategy at City Colleges of Chicago, Khari Humphries, the First Deputy Mayor for Education and Youth for the City of Chicago, and leaders from World Business Chicago, echoed that sentiment.

“You will not only meet our expectations, but you’re going to exceed your own,” said Samuels.

View more photos from the event below: