Watching your child overcome important milestones is one of the many joys of parenthood. From first steps to first dates, there comes a time when every parent lets go of their child’s hand and allows them to adventure into a new phase of growth.
As children grow older, adulthood approaches slowly but surely, and as parents it’s time to let go of their hands once more. We understand the importance of guiding your young adults into the next phase of life, including their future career choices.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are thousands of individuals currently unemployed in the U.S. We don’t want your child to become a part of that number and we’re sure you don’t either.
Fortunately, job security with computer science skills is particularly high with thousands of jobs needing to be filled. Information technology is the practice of using computers and telecommunications to store, retrieve, transmit or send data. With IT skills, there are over 20+ career pathways for young career professionals to choose from including cybersecurity, cloud computing, data engineering, web development, and many, many more.
Traditionally, individuals usually attend university for a bachelor’s in computer science, however there are other alternatives, like GenSpark, that can help in addition to a degree or help those individuals bypass higher education altogether.
No matter the path, it’s important that as a parent you know your child is making smart, well-informed decisions. And that’s starts by ensuring as a parent, you’re well-informed. GenSpark provides paid training and job support to individuals looking for assistance on their way to a successful IT career. Continue reading below to learn why you should encourage your child to join GenSpark.
What is GenSpark?
At GenSpark we provide more than training. We provide opportunities! Opportunities that are often not available for entry level talent or those from underrepresented communities. Here we provide paid technical training. That’s right, paid. We believe in investing in our GenSparkers upfront. Therefore, we invest in our GenSparkers by providing a weekly stipend for the duration of training which can last anywhere from 6-to-12 weeks.
After training, GenSparkers enter what we call a bench period. During this time, these individuals become full time employees of GenSpark and are paid an hourly salary as well as full dental, medical, and vision benefits.
The bench period is the time where GenSparkers will interview with our network of clients, continue to sharpen their technical skills, as well as receive soft skill training and resume assistance. It’s up to them to ace their interviews, however we provide support every step of the way.
After interviews, GenSparkers begin working full time with our clients on a contract to hire basis. Thus, sparking their career in information technology (IT).
Many believe that GenSpark is a bootcamp, but we’re more than that. Unlike bootcamps and universities, we do the hard part. We provide paid training. We find the jobs through our close relationship with clients looking for young, diverse talent. Our goal is to recast the tech workforce, and we don’t make a penny until our GenSparkers do.
What Type of Training does GenSpark provide exactly?
IT Careers are super flexible. Every industry needs IT assistance in some way shape or form, and different programming languages can lead individuals on different paths. For example, someone with Java skills can find work by building gaming consoles or car navigation systems. Whereas someone trained in Cybersecurity could find themselves working with the government, financial institutions, or even the healthcare industry.
Sadly, a lot of times the hurdle is getting started, those careers don’t just fall in your lap and without proper training it can feel downright impossible to land a job in IT. Luckily, at GenSpark we pride ourselves on being a launch pad for your child’s future career.
We currently offer training in over 20+ skillsets including AWS, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, Java Full Stack, Guidewire, .Net Full Stack, and more. But what makes it different than a university or a bootcamp? Glad you asked! We’re better because our curriculums are customized based on employer needs.
Basically, employers come to us with specific skillsets and projects in mind, and we build our curriculums around those specifications; So that after training, our GenSparkers can begin working immediately.
Is GenSpark Trustworthy?
Yes, we are, but of course we’d say that. We’ve seen our program spark many careers and we’re consistently working to spark more. To offer some comfort, let’s dive into how the onboarding process works.
Potential applicants begin by applying to GenSpark. Once an application is submitted, our recruiters will review it and follow up. Once accepted to GenSpark, your child will begin working with our team of trainers in their desired cohort. During this time, your child will be given the course load and can see how rigorous the training is. We want everyone that comes through our program to be confident they will succeed, and if it’s too much for some people, we completely understand.
And because of that, we offer a one-week grace period. If your child finds that they can’t handle the work load, they’re welcome to leave after the first week with no strings attached.
So, what are the requirements?
Well, it’s simple honestly. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life, but we will need your child to meet these basic qualifications:
- Authorized to work in the U.S
- Join GenSpark full-time (Monday to Friday, 9AM to 5PM EST)
- Willing to relocate for client placement (relocation may not be necessary, but willingness is required; GenSpark will support relocation costs)
And before you and your child take that leap of faith, here are some additional resources to check out to build your confidence in GenSpark:
- We’re Great Place to Work certified!
- Dive into reviews and articles from Career Karma
- 78% of people would recommend GenSpark to a friend based on scores from Glassdoor
- Hear Success Stories from Real GenSparkers
And if your child is ready now, have them submit an application (there’s no commitment at this point), and afterwards one of our recruiters will reach out with an initial phone call. During this call, you can ask additional questions, request information, and inquire about next steps.
Best of luck!
