• Single Mothers Program

Women in Technology (WIT) is providing a cyber Security Certificate program to benefit 20 adult single mothers per semester, living in poverty, interested in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) workforce education and employment, and are looking to improve the quality of their lives and the lives of their children.

The Cyber Security Educational Program for Single Mothers overall goal is to support single mothers living in poverty who are in college and/or working and have a foundational understanding of technology, to work with WIT and our program partners to be educated in Cyber Security and Information Security, one of the fastest growing fields in technology with an astounding workforce gap and shortage of talent amongst men and women.

The Cyber Security Educational Program for Single Mothers will offer 20 single mothers per semester, the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of Cyber Security and Information Security to change or further their career path in STEAM. Once the participant has earned the Cyber Security Certificate from the program, WIT in partnership with HUNTER Technical, will work to find jobs for the top 50% of the class giving them the opportunity to get out of poverty and start a new career that will provide a great salary with benefits. WIT will further their relationship with the participants by offering each graduate enrollment at no charge to monthly WIT Forum Events (educational and networking breakfast meetings) for 2 years. This benefit will continue their mentoring and educational opportunities based on their individual goals “from the classroom to the boardroom.”

*Everything offered in this program is provided FREE of charge to the 20 single mothers selected to participate.

Deadline extended to June 27th for our Fall Single Mothers Program! 

Our goal is to support single mothers who are in college and/or working in technology to be educated in cyber security, one of the fastest growing fields in technology with an astounding workforce gap and shortage of talent.

Click the link to apply! bit.ly/WITSMPCyberSecProgram

*Deadline to apply is by midnight, June 27, 2021*

Do you enjoy serving as a role model to share your knowledge, skills and experiences to help others?  If so, consider applying to be a Mentor for the fall 2021 WIT Cyber Security Education Program for Single Mothers!

Click the link to apply! bit.ly/WITSMPMentorsProgFall2021

*Deadline to apply is by midnight, June 20, 2021*

Closing The Gap

Women make up nearly half of the United States workforce, according to Pew Research. However, they still remain highly underrepresented in the skilled trade industry. A recent ‘Women in the Workplace’ study found that 40 percent of women in technical roles are the only women in the room at work. A lack of female role models, misconceptions of what it is like to work in a technical field and narrowly targeted recruitment efforts all contribute to the underrepresentation of women in technical careers. (McKinsey & Company)

While the percentage of women in the United States labor force has gradually climbed over the past decades, it is still significantly lower in the tech sector.

WIT is at the forefront of bridging this gender gap.  We are committed to guide and mentor our participants to grow in their career by offering playbook skills and training women how to level up their careers and lives.

There are over 400K+ cyber job openings in the United States with entry level positions starting at approximately $50K per year to $117K per year for IT Security.

Program Objectives

  • Identify and describe the fundamental security features in an information system
  • Analyze and evaluate the information security needs of an organization
  • Apply the principles of information systems security
  • Assess the effectiveness of various security systems
  • Support the formulation, design and implementation of information security systems
  • Evaluate, and analyze security threats and vulnerabilities in an enterprise system
  • Recommend and assist in the implementation of cybersecurity solutions
  • Maintain and troubleshoot an organizational information security system
  • Describe the structure and mechanism of IoT and its impact on the elements of cybersecurity
  • Explain the principles of incident response and management
  • Prepare to take the CompTIA’s Security+ professional certification

Program Details

20 single mothers are chosen to participate in the cyber security certificate program per semester. We will recruit participants by sharing this opportunity with our WIT networks, our corporate partners, and our nonprofit partners to reach a wide demographic of underserved single mothers located throughout Metro Atlanta. The participants will be chosen by way of a committee made up of female and men technology executives including a technology executive that is or formerly was a single mother.

12 week course - Fundamentals of Cybersecurity and Information Security Continuing Education Program offered at Emory (WIT partner) by industry experts on Saturdays 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Each participant completing the program will be awarded a Fundamentals of Cybersecurity and Information Security Certificate of Completion from Emory Continuing Education. The intent is to increase participants knowledge and skills in cybersecurity and information security to provide needed education and a certificate for them to acquire an entry level position and/or further their career.

Once the participants have earned the Cyber Security Certificate from the program, WIT will further this relationship by offering each graduate 2 years enrollment at no charge to the WIT.

Date:

Starts

September 25, 2021

Time:

Full Day

8:30am - 5:30pm

Location:

Virtual

       

Updated-Emory-Class-Schedule_Jan-30-2021

Women in Technology (WIT) and our program and funding partners are providing a Cyber Security Certificate program to benefit 20 adult single mothers, interested in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) workforce education and employment, and are looking to improve the quality of their lives and the lives of their children.

Read Program Brochure

Program Benefits

Placement Services

WIT in partnership with HUNTER Technical, will work to find jobs for the top 50% of the class giving them the opportunity to get out of poverty and start a new career that will provide a great salary with benefits

Recognition & Scholarship

The participant completing the program with the highest score for that program calendar year and is an ambassador of WIT, helping to get others involved in the program, will be recognized at the WIT Women of The Year annual gala and will be awarded a monetary donation to celebrate their achievement.

Professional Development & Career Planning

Each participant will have the opportunity to learn how to “Identify their Purpose and Vision for Life” based on their passions, desires and given tools needed to assist in achieving their goals.  They will define their Personal Brand using the skills women need to expand on their capabilities to be successful in their careers and lives. These online courses are a 4-week series of Career and Professional Development workshops offered by WIT and our partner VWH Consulting.  These online workshops give each participant the opportunity to attend in the comfort of their home.

Progress Tracking

Surveys, test results, and success tracking will be implemented for each participant to measure the success and metrics of the program with feedback also from the participants, partners and instructors on ways to improve.

Transportation & Childcare

WIT will partner with organizations like Atlanta Regional Commission and Sheltering Arms to receive discounted rates to provide participants with free transportation to and from class and childcare (for 1 child, age range 1-4) if needed by the participant for the duration of the course (12 weeks-Saturdays). The childcare provider will also be teaching/training the children in technology so while the mothers are being trained in technology, so are the children.

Free Box Lunches

WIT will partner with a food vendor to provide box lunches each Saturday through the duration of the program (12 weeks).

WIT Membership

Each participant will become a member of WIT to further network with other women in technology and have the opportunity to volunteer at the WIT events and socials (a great way to meet executives in the technology space.)

Additional Program Benefits

  • Each person that successfully completes the Cybersecurity Program will have earned a Fundamentals of Cyber Security and Information Security Certificate of Completion from Emory Continuing Education
  • Each mother selected to participate in the program will receive a laptop, monitor and mouse and will be able to keep the provided equipment for their own personal use after successfully completing the program. The participants will also receive the course materials, to include curriculum books & lab credentials for the Cyber Security course.
  • Financial Literacy and Nutritional coaching provided by Warrick Dunn Charities (WDC) as well as the Hearts for Community Service scholarship program
  • Life Skills and Career Readiness online classes will be provided by WrightNow Solutions
  • Each participant will be matched with a Mentor to support them during their 12-week course as well as during their 12-week post-graduation (Onboarding, Education, Placement).

*All the PROGRAM BENEFITS outlined above are provided Free of Charge to the 20 single mothers selected to participate in each program semester.

For More Information

Ask Us About Single Mothers Program

Program Eligibility and Requirements

 

  • Must be an adult single mother

  • Must live in the state of Georgia

  • Applicant is required to make a commitment to attend the 12-week course - Fundamentals of Cybersecurity and Information Security Continuing Education Program offered by Emory University (WIT partner) taught by industry experts on Saturdays 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

  • 100% attendance is required.  Only 1 class can be missed with proven extenuating circumstances

  • Any applicant applying for the program must meet initial requirements, will also be required to provide photo ID, current year, or year prior of most recent tax return showing their annual income to be less than $36,000 annually, proof of employment in a technical field (retail employment qualifies) or college enrollment with a focus in technology

  • Any applicant must write a maximum 500-word cover letter explaining the following:

    • Why you are applying

    • Why you should be selected

    • Your career goals 

    • Anything else that you think is important to share with the selection committee.

  • Any applicant must provide 2 Letters of Recommendation (500 word maximum each) that includes the following about you:

    • Your character

    • Your reliability

    • Your determination to succeed

    • Your work and honesty ethic

    • Your ability to problem solve

    • Your dedication to your career and to your family

    • Why you should be chosen in the Cyber Security Educational Program for Single Mothers

  • Applications to be submitted by the designated deadline to be eligible when the application window is open

  • Any applicant must be willing to attend a face to face interview with the WIT Single Mothers Program Steering Committee

  • Participants must agree to all program requirements and provide their signature to the Program Commitment Statement included in the application

  • For more program information contact Tina Litzenberger at witsinglemothersprogram@mywit.org

  • To become a WIT Single Mothers program or funding partner, please contact Penny Collins at penny@mywit.org

Would you consider funding this impactful program?

We provide this opportunity to single mothers annually at no charge to them.

The cost of this impactful program is:
$11k per single mother
$220k per semester for 20 single mothers
$440K annually for 40 single mothers

Help Fund The Single Mothers Program

    WIT Testimonials

    Single Mothers Program news

    2021

    A New Start for Our Single Mother Graduates

    A New Start for Our Single Mother Graduates Women In Technology (WIT) is incredibly excited to announce that all graduates of the Single Mothers Program who were in need of job placement are now working throughout the technology field.  Throughout the 12-Week Cyber Security Educational Program for Single Mothers, these women worked closely with WIT and our program partners to earn a Fundamentals of Cybersecurity and Information Security Certificate of Completion from Emory University.  The
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    2021

    Women In Technology (WIT) Celebrates Spring 2021 Cyber Security Graduates of Inaugural Single Mothers Program

    On Saturday, 20 single mothers graduated from Women In Technology’s 12-week Single Mothers Program, with each graduate earning a Cyber Security Certificate from Emory University. The graduates of this inaugural class received an average score of 95% on course work and are in the process of job placement. Read More
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    2021

    WIT Single Mothers Program: Cyber Security Course Graduation Celebration *PRIVATE EVENT*

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    2021

    WIT Single Mothers Program Congratulation

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    Thank you to our wit single Mothers Program Partners
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    Financial and Health Management Workshops
    Cyber Security and Info Security Training
    Careers and Professional Development
    Job Placement Services
    Early Education and Child Care
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