Cleveland's Next Generation of Innovators -

Cleveland technology leaders lament the dearth of highly trained local employees. While most efforts focus on college students through curriculum, recruitment and retention efforts, an equally important task is to engage our current high school students.  According to The Council of Competitiveness (2006) "America's fate may well depend on our ability to educate the next generation of innovators, invest in the cutting edge of science and develop and deploy new technologies." To cultivate a tree, one begins by fertilizing the soil.  To grow Cleveland's employment base and nurture another generation of talent and innovation, we need to tend to Cleveland's youth.  Three suggestions we might consider:

1. Youth Advisory Boards...add the voices of the future to our discussion table. Corporate leaders recognize the need to increase the number of divergent voices to solve increasingly complex social and economic issues, a primary reason boards try their best to be diverse and overcome the natural propensity for "group think".  This mixture of voices often equates to something that appears chaotic on the surface, but results in the best inquiry and problem solving. To connect with the region's youth, we should consider youth advisory boards for technology organizations or create organizational chapters in schools. To encourage participation in these youth advisory boards, we also have to develop programs that make technology "cool".
2. Making Technology "Cool".   We need to remove the "geek' label and make technology "cool". For the software industry that might mean sponsored school contests or clubs that revolve around gaming, web design, graphic design, etc. Unlike a "programming club" these activities are more likely to be viewed positively and sought by a greater number of students. Activities can be sponsored by tech companies or organizations, exposing students to local companies and employment avenues.
3. Highlight Cleveland as a Great Place to Live and Work. Most recruitment and retention efforts are aimed at attracting college graduates or adults to relocate or stay in Cleveland. Fewer initiatives speak to adolescents about why Cleveland is a great place to live and work and generate excitement about the opportunities within the field of technology. On the other hand, the Cleveland Brain Gain (www.clevelandbraingain.com), a campaign initiated by high school senior, Madeleine Bruml, and funded through the Civic Innovation Lab, does an excellent job in articulating to high school students why "there is no other place like home."  We need to listen to more youthful Clevelanders like Madeleine Bruml as we try to reach out and "connect" with the area's youth.

My discussions with former high school students who had the opportunity to intern here, prior to leaving for college, indicated a significantly more positive attitude towards Cleveland and a definite intent to return.  Engaging high school students early with respect to careers in technology, through their participation in technology organizations and by showcasing the opportunities available in our town, should increase Cleveland's ability to get more than its fair share of future innovators.