Wayne State, Rocket Companies and Grow Detroit’s Young Talent engage and educate next generation of technology leaders with Tech On-Ramps program

Rocket Companies software engineers Gerrae Jackson (left) and Blake Shaw (second from left) lead an interactive session in which Tech On-Ramps participants drafted their own AI chatbots.

From the rapidly increasing use of generative AI and continued cybersecurity threats to ongoing innovation related to electric vehicles and more, there's no denying the crucial role technology plays in the future - and the future's workforce. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that overall employment in computer and information technology is projected to grow much faster than other occupations over the next decade, with average salaries more than twice that of other jobs.

As an urban public research university, Wayne State University is committed to driving prosperity for the community and accelerating mobility for Detroit youth. Wayne State University, with support from Rocket Companies, is committed to mentoring and training the next generation of technology leaders, so that young Detroiters are prepared to meet the evolving needs of the modern workforce and enjoy fulfilling, lucrative careers.

President Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D., discusses the importance of learning-by-doing experiences and the College to Career pipeline.

The Tech On-Ramps program is a collaborative effort led by Rocket Community Fund, Wayne State University and Grow Detroit's Young Talent (GDYT), an initiative by the City of Detroit to provide meaningful summer employment opportunities. Now in its fifth year, Tech On-Ramps pairs Detroit high school students with university students from the Irvin D. Reid Honors College serving as tech coaches for six weeks of instruction as well as career exploration guided by Rocket technology professionals. As part of its six-week summer programming, Tech On-Ramps welcomed Rocket's Chief Technology Officer Josh Zook to lead a Rocket Generative AI Immersion Day Aug. 1, 2024. The session included hands-on demonstrations with AI and a Q&A session about careers in technology.

"The Tech On-Ramps program is emblematic of what we do so well at Wayne State University and in Detroit, and we're proud to partner with Rocket and GDYT. These learning-by-doing experiences complement the outstanding things students learn in a classroom and complement the experiences that will take them not only to their first job, but to a meaningful and productive career," said President Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D.

Zook spoke to participants about the current state of technology and AI and offered his perspective on innovation in the industry.

Rocket Mortgage Chief Technology Officer Josh Zook discusses the growing need for innovation in the future technology workforce.

"We are at another inflection point in technology - things are changing rapidly, and the speed of the game has increased. The environment we're in has two choices. You can disrupt or be disrupted. Investing in students through programs like this will give them the tools they need to be the disrupters," he said.

The 2024 cohort includes 20 student interns from Detroit Public Schools Community District through the GDYT program and nine Honors College students. Tech coaches lead teams of two to three interns in developing technology projects under the tutelage of Honors College students. At the end of the summer, teams present their project in a Shark Tank-style pitch. To date, Tech On-Ramps has engaged nearly 100 Detroit high school students and 45 Honors College students.

Field learning opportunities offered through Tech On-Ramps mirror those provided to Wayne State students through its College to Career initiative, implemented to ensure that the next generation of graduates has the skills necessary for long-term career success.

"This program is an example of what we can do as a public, urban research university in the heart of Detroit. Wayne State doesn't come and visit Detroit: We are part of Detroit, and Detroit is such an important part of our identity. A big part of that identity is the relationships we are so fortunate to build with companies like Rocket and organizations like GDYT," said John Corvino, Dean of the Irvin D. Reid Honors College. "Together, we've built this program with remarkable synergy. It creates a pipeline - from high school to college and from college to career - that defines what we do at Wayne State."

Irvin D. Reid Honors College student and Lead Tech Coach Cullen Veasley presents his group's AI chatbot proposal during an interactive session with Rocket Companies technology professionals.

Cullen Veasley, an Honors College student who is majoring in electrical and computer engineering, says that the opportunity to mentor as a technology coach within the Tech On-Ramps program has been formative to his education.

"Watching the interns become more interested in the world of technology while learning from top professionals in the field has made my experience more fruitful," he said. "I'm finding that teaching others has really helped my own learning, and especially in tech, you learn a lot by doing."

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