The CUNY 2X Tech initiative was launched by Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office in partnership with NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) in 2017 with the original purpose of doubling the amount of CUNY students to graduate with a tech-related bachelor’s degree by the year 2022. The success garnered by the first phase of the initiative prompted Mayor Eric Adams to later expand the initiative as part of his administration’s “Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success.”
This second wave of funding will address students’ needs for, as noted by City University of New York Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, “work experience, mentors and connections to employers who are eager to hire them.” The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) is delighted to be among the first of CUNY’s community colleges to receive funding to develop its student body into a top-quality tech talent pipeline for New York City’s employers.
Key Components of CUNY 2X Tech
BMCC technology majors that partner with CUNY 2X Tech will benefit from the following supports:
Tech Talent Pipeline Residency Internship Program (TTP-R) – hosted and funded by NYC’s Tech Talent Pipeline (an industry partnership managed by NYC’s division of Small Business Services), the TTP-R program sharpens students’ technical and professional skills in web development during an immersive Winter/Spring bootcamp and match them with employers for summer internships.
Tech in Residence Corps – students take classes, seminars, and workshops taught by current industry professionals. This provision enriches students with cutting-edge industry knowledge and access to mentors and employment references in the field.
CUNY Tech Prep – our second-year students are directed to apply for this year-long program designed to sharpen their technical skills, expand their portfolio of relevant projects, and increase their confidence in interviewing for entry-level positions.
Employment Coaching – CUNY 2X Tech staff will guide students through selecting and completing technical internships while balancing the needs of their academic programs and personal responsibilities via workshops, seminars, one-on-one coaching sessions, and warm referrals to vetted employers.
