Future Tech Leaders Get Start At XChange '09

They came from the District of Columbia and Maryland.

The group of 20 kids embarked on the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center for four days to not just learn about technology but to become technologists.

In a program sponsored by Microsoft and the Framsyn Initiative, which provides opportunities for teenagers and young adults to enter the world of technology, the kids spent several days at Everything Channel's XChange '09 conference and received their initiation of sorts into the industry. The program included hands-on training -- with system builders and solution providers by their sides -- in how to build a PC component-by-component.

"I was the first one done," said Jada Cash, 14, who is entering the ninth grade in Marlboro, Md. She knew right away that she'd be interested in the program because of her goal of entering the fashion design industry -- an industry that relies as much on hardware and software in many respects as it does on labels and cloth. Already, she said, she's had much experience in troubleshooting her own PC at home so diving in and building her own wasn't intimidating.

"My cousin heard about this [program], and told my Mom," Jada said. "My Mom told me that technology would have a lot to do with fashion."

She and the other kids chosen for the Future Tech Leaders program all had to write and submit essays to be chosen by event sponsors.

After writing the essay and being selected for the program, the kids had to travel to XChange '09. A few traveled with their parents. Some traveled with solution providers as their sponsors and chaperons. At XChange, they also took some classes in technology, sat through several vendor presentations and even took a quiz on the solution provider channel and how it operates. All of them passed the test.

The PC-building experience taught a lesson in the realities of technology -- both the good and the bad. Along the way to building the systems, they and the solution providers working with them discovered that the set of components didn't include the correct power cable, and Systemax overnighted the correct ones to their on-site classroom so they were there by Day 2 of the program. And then they learned that working with a mini-ATX chassis form factor can be tricky because of its small size.

That made Vincent Lewis, 17, of Jacksonville, N.C., shake his head and laugh. "I have big hands," he said, which made maneuvering inside the small PC case difficult. Entering his senior year in high school, Vincent said that learning that he was selected for the program "was a bit overwhelming at first" because of his love of technology. With his sights set on entering a college like North Carolina State next year, and a focus on a career in technology, he said he was happy for the chance to get this hands-on look.

The Framsyn Initiative's work on the program, headed up by Dino White, president and CEO of Dicyn Solutions, a New York-based solution provider, also included support from Eric Martorano, Microsoft's director of partner strategy and satisfaction. Samsung provided displays that the kids used to hook up to each PC. At the end of the program, they each learned they would get to keep the PC and the monitor.

"I'm very proud of these young adults," Martorano said. "They worked hard and they are dedicated. They are the future tech leaders."

White said kids were recruited for the program over the past several months by talking to other VAR and business contacts throughout the industry, through his own work with kids in areas like New York and North Carolina.

"I'm challenging these guys to go back to their schools and get other kids interested, get communities interested," White said.