This article was written by Arlington Economic Development.
On September 6, Arlington’s Talent Pilot Program kicked off by welcoming its initial four program participants.
Over the next 12 to 20 weeks, these individuals will gain valuable experience by working on real-world technology projects under senior-level mentorship. Arlington Economic Development partnered with Arlington-based Exelaration, the #2 tech and engineering internship provider in the U.S., to provide these participants with a paid, full-time experiential-learning opportunity.
Meaningful Progress
October marks a significant milestone for the Program and its participants. Starting this month, the Program’s four participants will begin applying their skillsets to real-world client projects. The participants will supplement these projects by receiving relevant technical instruction, including earning a Certified Scrum Master certification. The Arlington Talent Pilot program strives to increase the local tech talent supply by leveraging Arlington’s highly educated workforce.
Forming Strategic Partnerships
The Arlington Talent Pilot Program partners with local organizations such as Bridges to Independence, the Alexandria-Arlington Regional Workforce Council, the Capital Youth Empowerment Program, and, most recently, Virginia Values Veterans (V3) as sources for program participants.
Companies and organizations can get involved through events, networking, projects, donations, lectures, and more. To learn more, visit Exelaration’s partnership page.
Make Your Application Stand Out!
Changing careers can be a time-consuming and costly effort, especially for those changing careers toward software development. With entry-level software development positions often requiring at least one year of experience, aspiring software developers are left with few options to overcome this experience barrier.
Purposefully, the Arlington Talent Pilot Program does not require a bachelor’s degree or tech industry experience. Individuals can demonstrate their interest in coding or software development by utilizing free online resources such as Udemy, Code Academy and Coursera.
Leveraging these free resources can serve a dual-purpose: (1) they help you form a basic understanding of coding and software development, and, (2) by listing them on your resume, they demonstrate your interest and passion for software development. To learn more about changing careers, check out Exelaration’s blog, Behavioral Best Practices for Launching a Tech Career.
If you need help with your resume or want resume feedback, the Arlington Employment Center offers free webinars, workshops and live Q&A sessions to assist you. Check out their resources page here.
Apply Now
The Program’s second cohort starts on January 24, 2023 and will consist of six program participants. The application deadline for the second cohort is October 23, 2022, and those interested in learning more about the program or applying can do so directly through Exelaration’s applicant portal. The program is limited to Arlington residents and does not require a secondary degree.
About Arlington Economic Development
Arlington Economic Development (AED), part of Arlington County Government, is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of an economically competitive and sustainable community, and the creation of exciting, diverse and amenity-rich places. AED provides visionary leadership and superior services to Arlington’s business and arts community, its tourism industry and its real estate development. For more information, visit arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com.