Stories
We're passionate about making tech a more accessible, inclusive, and equitable space.
But don’t just take our word for it.
We’ve compiled some of our student experiences so you can learn firsthand what we’re all about.
Putting Machine Learning Skills to the Test: Students Begin AI Studio Projects in New York, Boston, and LA
The Break Through Tech AI Program is focused on giving students the skills and confidence to succeed in machine learning and AI — and there’s no better way to put what they know to the test than the first-of-its-kind AI Studio program.
Seizing the summer: Students complete Summer Guild across the country
For incoming first-year undergraduates, summer is an important time — busy with course selection, packing in hours at summer jobs, studying a campus map — to prepare for the four years ahead. At Break Through Tech, we think it’s never too early to start thinking about how the classes they choose set a student up for their future career.
Break Through Tech AI is off and running in 3 cities
At Break Through Tech, “innovation” and “scale” are words that comes up a lot because when trying to bend the curve in the tech industry towards gender equity we know that anything less than constant innovation and large scale will not get the job done. That is why we’ve been busy at work since our launch announcement in April, making changes and improvements to the program based on learnings from our pilot year and rolling out the program in three cities: New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles.
The Story Behind the Numbers: AI Studio Project Partner USA for UNHCR
Jenny Sy had already heard of the Studio at Cornell Tech when she submitted a project to Break Through Tech’s AI Studio last year. The Data Science Manager at the Hive, USA for UNHCR — the UN Refugee Agency — had enjoyed working with Master’s students at Cornell, but wasn’t sure what to expect with undergraduates from schools across the greater NYC area.
A Love for “Building Things”: AI Student Mariam D.
Mariam D.’s father works in construction. It’s he who she credits with fostering her love for “building things” — but it took Mariam a while to realize that she could build programs, abstract things, not just physical, concrete ones.
A Foot in the Door: Employers Share their Sprinternship™ Experiences
As the weather warms up, many of our students are looking towards a major milestone in their career: their first summer internship. It’s a turning point for a college student, as that experience can give them the confidence they’re on the right career path and get them in an employer’s pipeline for future opportunities, or even full time employment. But for a lot of our students, summer internships seem impossible to land — that is, until they have a Sprinternship™ on their resume.
Coming Into View: A Future in AI
Grace has always known she liked math, but growing up without options to continue challenging herself in math, it was difficult to picture how she might use those interests in a career. When she got to NJIT, she wasn’t sure how to answer the questions she was asked about her future path in tech. Through Break Through Tech’s AI Program, she has some of the answers.
If you aren’t already hosting Sprinterns™ — you should
This program is a powerful example of how to deliver transformative outcomes for underserved women in tech by operating in the white space at the intersection of industry and academia.
Optimizing the internship experience
Meeting people is one of the best parts of a Break Through Tech Chicago Sprinternship. The pharmaceutical company AbbVie found a way to make that activity as interactive as possible.
Enhancing the tech behind the business of sports
Not all tech jobs are at tech companies. Five UIC women applied their technological know-how to a powerhouse of the sports world through their Break Through Tech Chicago Sprinternship.
Designing a network (and networking)
Some of this year’s Break Through Tech Chicago Sprinternships gave UIC students the chance to come up with ways to use technology to support Chicago communities. Learn how five Sprinterns at the networking giant Cisco Systems developed an idea to move Pilsen forward.
A Drive for Data Science: Baruch College Student And Break Through Tech Intern Izabella Wieckowska
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” Break Through Tech National’s Intern, Izabella Wieckowska, shares her journey into tech.
Learning as a Lifestyle: Break Through Tech National Communications Intern, Lena Rose
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” Break Through Tech National’s Communications Intern, Lena Rose, shares her journey into tech.
Every Step as a Learning Experience: Brooklyn College Student Chelsea Rice
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” a CUNY Brooklyn College student and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Chelsea Rice, shares her journey into tech.
Finding Her Path to Computer Science Through Creative Art and Design: City College Student Angela Diaz
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” a CUNY City College of New York student and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Angela Diaz, shares her journey into tech.
A Move Across the World that Changed Her Life: CUNY York College Student Nafisa Tabassum
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” a CUNY York College student and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Nafisa Tabassum, shares her journey into tech.
Breaking The Cycle of Self-Doubt: John Jay College Student Aaliyah John
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” CUNY undergraduate at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Aaliyah John, shares her journey into tech.
Finding Comfort in Community and Connection: Queens College Student, Cindy Navarro
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” CUNY undergraduate at Queens College and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Cindy Navarro, shares her journey into tech.
The Power of Perseverance and Determination: Hunter College Student Nalini Ramdeo
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” CUNY undergraduate at Hunter College and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Nalini Ramdeo, shares her journey into tech.
Overcoming Challenges and Change in the Philippines and the U.S.: Hunter College Student Kyra Alyssa Chu Abbu
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” CUNY student at Hunter College and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Kyra Alyssa Chu Abbu, shares her journey into tech.
Finding Her Path to FinTech: Queens College Student Anjali Dutt
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” CUNY student at Queens College and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Anjali Dutt, shares her journey into tech.
Inspired by the World (and the Web) Around Her: Macaulay Honors College Alum Annmarie Gajdos
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” CUNY graduate of Macaulay Honors College at Baruch and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Annmarie Gajdos, shares her journey into tech.
Overcoming Obstacles and Breaking Barriers: City College Student Ida Touray
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” CUNY graduate of City College and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Ida Touray, shares her journey into tech.
Hard Work and Giving Back: How Family Values Affected Hunter College Student Anahi Mayancela
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” CUNY graduate of Hunter College and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Anahi Mayancela, shares her journey into tech.
Navigating Tech Through Different Industry Paths: Queens College Student Anika Chowdhury
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” CUNY graduate of Queens College and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Anika Chowdhury, shares her journey into tech.
From Anguilla to New York: City College Student Chrystal Mingo’s Journey into Tech
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” CUNY graduate of City College and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Chrystal Mingo, shares her journey into tech.
Baruch Alum Radhika Kalani: Changing People’s Lives Through Tech
As part of the “Young Women Shaping the Future of Tech Series,” CUNY graduate of Baruch College and Break Through Tech New York program alum, Radhika Kalani, shares her journey into tech.