It will almost be 15 years since I moved to Nashville from Paris, France, with a degree that didn’t fully translate in America because companies didn’t know the French education system. I landed my first job in tech as a C programmer, despite my thick French accent, and it was my launching pad to a great career in technology. Today, as the president and CEO of the Greater Nashville Technology Council, I love exposing others to the possibilities of a career in technology. I understand firsthand the value of finding purpose and passion in a career that is paving the way to a cutting-edge future.
I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to holistically affect the technology community, from students in grade school to professionals and leaders in tech organizations; I call it the K-to-CIO impact, and it’s one of the things I love most about my job.
The NTC recently concluded a seven-week STEAM summer camp where 25 local students, ages 13 to 15, were given a chance to explore the different avenues a career in tech can take them. Their activities included learning to code their own video games, visiting local tech companies to learn about what tech looks like in real life, visiting universities and community colleges to understand the paths leading to tech jobs, listening to guest speakers who shared their passion about technology, learning from young professionals the essentials of preparing for a job in tech, showcasing their work to their families, and taking home their own new iPads. This annual camp was founded in 2015 in partnership with Nashville’s Metro Action Commission, an entity that provides a variety of programs to break the cycle of poverty by increasing family economic security, educational success, health and well-being. I’m thrilled to be a part of an effort that contributes to those goals.
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I am thankful for all of the community partners who came together this summer to help make NTC’s STEAM camp successful. I believe innovation must always be supported by collaboration if we are to achieve our greatest potential as a society. Some of Nashville’s most influential tech organizations and professionals contributed their time and resources to inspire the next generation, and I will be continually grateful for their generosity. Many thanks to Alliance Bernstein, Apple, BGSF, BNA, CGI, Convergint, Middle Tennessee State University, Nashville State Community College, the National Museum of African American Music, S3 Recycling Solutions and the state of Tennessee – all of which hosted or conducted sessions with our students this summer.
I’m passionate about connecting individuals to tech careers to improve workforce development efforts in our community. While Middle Tennessee’s job market is growing, the tech industry’s growth continues to outpace it. With the projected job growth of the industry over the next half-decade set to continue as new tech companies move to town and existing businesses expand their tech capacities, we must work as a united community to find solutions and develop more local tech talent to fill those open roles.
Nashville is an amazing city in which to have a career, and we have all the tools needed to support a vibrant workforce. Our city is fortunate to have such talented and generous professionals who are willing to pour into the next generation. Technology changed my life, and I believe the opportunities are only getting bigger and better.
Elise Cambournac is CEO of Nashville Technology Council.