BY THE CODING SCHOOL
Last week, Qubit by Qubit, an initiative of The Coding School, kicked off our newest program: the Early Quantum Career Immersion (EQCI) Training and Internship Program, which aims to create a pipeline for undergraduates from diverse backgrounds to explore careers in quantum computing.
We believe that the future of quantum is strengthened by expanding diversity in the field, and that future innovators in the quantum space need to learn real-world skills in this emerging field today. Currently, there are limited opportunities for undergraduates to study quantum computing, and even fewer opportunities for them to participate in internships at quantum companies and start-ups. To help address this issue, we developed EQCI: a 10-week program for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds to learn tangible quantum skills, explore STEM careers, engage in professional development, and apply their knowledge through a quantum internship at one of our five partnering companies.
This summer, 17 early undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds are joining our first EQCI cohort: 60% female; 60% first-generation college students; and 100% BIPOC.
From 13 universities nationwide – UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, CSU Monterey Bay, University of Houston, Rice University, Georgetown University, Northeastern University, Syracuse University, University of Maryland College Park, Columbia University, CUNY City College Queens College, and Hunter College – our interns are engaging in collaborative work, virtual and in-person, across Eastern to Pacific time zones.
The 10-week program, which runs from June 6 to August 12, 2022, is separated into two parts: training and career immersion. Launched last week, our course developer and instructor Phil Labrum is leading a three-week-long virtual intensive for students to learn key skills in quantum mechanics, quantum computation, quantum algorithms, Python coding for quantum, leadership, and professional development. Starting in the fourth week, each student will join one of our five partnering companies to work hands-on with emerging quantum technologies, and research projects as they continue to develop and put into action their leadership and professional skills.
We believe an innovative workforce development program like this is crucial to strengthening the future of quantum technologies. By creating this pipeline into the quantum field, we are expanding access and opportunities for students!
Special thank you to our partners at Qunnect, IBM Quantum, Unitary Fund, Google Quantum AI, and bp for making this possible!