IT Management: Celebrating Black History Month in IT: Getting Started in the IT Business

See slide #9 for Blacks Gone Geek
See slide #10 for BDPA

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/IT-Management/Celebrating-Black-History-Month-in-IT-Getting-Started-in-the-IT-Business-159789/

2010 marks the second year that eWEEK has commemorated Black History Month with a focus on contributions African Americans have made to the IT industry. Last year, we took a look at leaders in the world of corporate IT, such as Charles Phillips, president of Oracle, as well as technical experts such as Mark Dean, an IBM fellow and vice president of technical strategy and worldwide operations for Big Blue. Dean's history at IBM goes deep. He was chief engineer for the development of the IBM PC/AT and holds three of the nine patents for the original IBM PC. However, this year, rather than focus on individuals already well-entrenched in the IT industry and holding sway in the upper ranks, eWEEK decided to take a look at up-and-comers. This slide show looks at folks who are relatively new to the industry—either working for startups or promoting blacks and other minorities to pursue IT careers. This includes both individuals and organizations that encourage or mentor African Americans who want to get started in IT.



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2010 Technology Job Outlook - Readers Poll

Blacks Gone Geek 2010 Technology Job Outlook
Readers Poll Closes Tuesday, Februrary 23rd.
 By 2010, it is expected the U.S. will face a shortage of 10,033,000 workers. It’s hard to believe, but data from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics that tracks expected job openings vs. working population indicates this is the case.
 Don’t believe the hype! Like most industries, information technology has had significant job losses.



It’s your opinion that matters. Please take this short 3-minute survey. Survey results will be published on Blacks Gone Geek website.


Click this link to take the survey now:
http://blacksgonegeek.org/2010TechnologyJobOutlook.aspx

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Announcing the new BDPA Career Center

This is an OPEN forum where anyone may post Information Technology Job opportunities and anyone may retrieve and apply for employment. The job postings are expected to attract candidates nationally. Membership to this forum is OPEN to anyone, whether you are a BDPA member or not. Posting of messages (i.e. Job Opportunities) is OPEN to anyone, regardless of whether the employer is a BDPA member, supporter, sponsor or not.

Click here for more informaton on the new BDPA Career Center.
http://blacksgonegeek.org/BDPACareerCenter.aspx

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Help Celebrate Black Family Technology Awareness Week

Join our "Tweet Up"


Retweet and update your Facebook and LinkedIn status with the following:


Help Celebrate Black Family Technology Awareness Week – Join the 24 hour Tweet Up, Friday, 2/19/10 http://blacksgonegeek.org/2010BFTAW.aspx

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Join us LIVE!


Blacks Gone Geek and the BDPA Chicago Chapter cordially invite you to


“Black History Tech Pioneers” Day

Friday, February 19, 2010

http://blacksgonegeek.org/2010BFTAW.aspx

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 About Black Family Technology Awareness Week

Despite the economic and political gains middle-class blacks are making, poor and low-income black families struggle to access today’s technological opportunities. The “Digital Divide” threatens to perpetuate educational, financial, and social inequality in America.


During Black Family Technology Awareness Week, which is held during Black History Month, black families gather in communities across America to participate in hands-on educational programs and events designed to help black families take advantage of technological opportunities. Lifting everyone into the U.S. mainstream is the vision and the purpose of Black Family Technology Awareness Week.


For more information: http://www.blackfamilynet.net/


About Blacks Gone Geek

Blacks Gone Geek is a social networking initiative dedicated to promoting African Americans in IT. We call this "Keepin' IT Real".

Our Vision
Blacks Gone Geek serves to inspire a new generation of African Americans to consider and select IT careers, as well enthuse interest and promote technology, ultimately increasing African Americans’ participation in IT “from the classroom to the boardroom.”


For more information: blacksgonegeek.org


About BDPA

Black Data processing Associates (BDPA) is a non-profit professional association founded in 1975 in Philadelphia, PA. BDPA has grown into a national organization with over 4,000 members and 50 chapters chartered throughout the United States. BDPA is the premier organization for African Americans in IT. Organization membership is open to all with expressed interest in the Information Technology industry regardless of race, sex, religious beliefs or national origin.


For more information: http://www.bdpa.org/


About BDPA Chicago Chapter

The Chicago Chapter of the National Black Data Processing Associates was chartered on March 15, 1986 as the 14th Chapter nationwide. The first monthly program meeting was held April 18, 1986. Since that time, the Chicago Chapter has consecutively sponsored a monthly program meeting, designed to assist membership in meeting their professional and personal goals. Since its inception, the Chicago Chapter has continued to deliver programs that are innovative, relevant and informative to its membership.

For more information: http://www.bdpa-chicago.org/


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2010 Nominations Open for National BDPA Individual Epsilon Awards

BDPA Epsilon Awards recognizing individual achievement are awarded to technologists who are nominated by BDPA chapters and sponsoring government organizations, companies and corporations in the following five categories:

1. PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT

2. CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

3. OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL CONTRIBUTION

4. COMMUNITY SERVICE

5. MOST PROMISING TECHNOLOGIST

Please click this link for more information and how to apply for the Epsilon Awards Program.
http://bdpa.org/epsilon-award.php

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Blacks Gone Geek and BDPA Celebrate Black Family Technology Awareness Week

“Black History Tech Pioneers” Day.

Despite the economic and political gains middle-class blacks are making, poor and low-income black families struggle to access today’s technological opportunities. The “Digital Divide” threatens to perpetuate educational, financial, and social inequality in America.

Join our "Tweet UP" and enter a drawing to win free gifts and prizes!

Meeting Information


Click Here for More Information
http://blacksgonegeek.org/2010BFTAW.aspx



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Date: Friday, February 19, 2010

Time: 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Where:

IBM Building
71 South Wacker Drive, 6th floor
Chicago, IL

Attendees will be eligible to win free gifts and prizes (e.g. free Netbook).

You must be present during the drawing to win.

2010 Skills Needed for IT Internships

by Shatari Pinson

The good news is there is a wide array of various IT jobs and internships available today. What people should know is that the skills needed for these opportunities can vary from company to company. Job and intern seekers need to stay abreast of skills requirements in order to stay competitive and marketable in the IT workforce.

To support awareness of varying skill requirements I have completed research to allow students the opportunity to prepare for the competitive job market. The companies included in this study all have different visions and goals for their business. Each company has different skill set requirements to stay competitive in a global environment.

This study provides the knowledge needed when researching various internship opportunities.

Click 2010 Skills Needed for IT Internships to read the full study. http://blacksgonegeek.org/2010InternSkills.aspx


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