educational outreach

Hi all,

This fall I would like TriJUG to extend our feelers out to local educational institutions (high schools and colleges) and see if there's anything that we as a group can offer them. We'd want to start a dialogue with those groups to see how we could benefit each other. I wonder if they might like to hear from the "real world" of programming and hear about day-to-day experiences. We might also be able to share knowledge on more cutting-edge technologies than their teachers get exposed to. Benefits to the JUG include potential future members, and knowing where the best and brightest are when we/our employers are looking for new recruits.

Instead of cold-calling all these places, I'd like to find out if any of our members have connections with local high schools and colleges. I'm thinking the faculty liaison of the Computer Science club (presuming one exists) would be a place to start. If you have a connection to a local group like this, I'd really like to know! (Having only relocated here in 2006, I'm at a bit of a disadvantage.)

I'll make myself available during the pizza portion of next week's meeting -- I'll be in my Florida Panthers cap. If you'd like to be involved with this, please find me and let's chat. If you won't be making the meeting this month, please feel free to email me. Whether you just want to give me the contact info, or continue to be involved in this effort, I'd very much like to hear from you!

Thanks,
Rob