DENTON (UNT), Texas — The University of North Texas is partnering with leading experiential education company Podium Education to provide undergraduate students with in-demand skills for the modern workforce. Students who enroll in the UNT Global Tech Experience will collaborate with students from around the world on applied projects from companies such as Netflix, Spotify, and AirBnB.
“UNT always has been a proud proponent of global learning,” said Pia Wood, vice provost and dean for international affairs at UNT. “Partnering with Podium to launch the UNT Global Tech Experience enables us to expand outside of traditional study abroad experiences to provide these critical global skills to students at scale.”
UNT’s partnership with Podium Education comes at a time when the Dallas-Fort Worth area continues to add jobs in the tech sector. Dallas is one of the top 5 cities in the U.S. hiring for tech roles.
The Global Tech Experience combines elements of an internship with a global learning experience to prepare learners with the intercultural and technical skills necessary for entry-level tech and tech-adjacent roles upon graduation. Additionally, the Global Tech Experience is open access, with no prerequisites, making it an attractive upskilling option for students from all majors and backgrounds. The program has more than 3,000 graduates in the U.S. with 94% of graduates recommending the program to a friend or colleague.
"We are thrilled to bring The Global Tech Experience to the UNT community," said Chris Parrish, co-founder and president of partnerships at Podium. "Even the ‘local job’ is now global in some way. Students must be comfortable working in diverse teams and building products for a diverse set of users. That is exactly what students will learn in Global Tech."
Podium Education works with more than 50 universities including Arizona State University, State University of New York and the University of South Florida. UNT students will access the online experience and work in small groups with other students from 38 different countries, completing real-world projects and solving global problems for organizations across a variety of industries.
“We are thrilled to expand access and opportunity for our students,” said Adam Fein, vice president for digital strategy and innovation at UNT. “UNT Global Tech Experience provides our students with a high-quality, online alternative to traditional mobility-based study abroad.”
The UNT Global Tech Experience is designed for UNT undergraduate students. The program is worth 6 credits and the first cohort begins this summer. Deadline to apply is May 25. Interested individuals can sign up at www.globaltech.unt.edu.
For more information on Podium Education, visit: www.podiumeducation.com.
For more information on University of North Texas, visit: www.unt.edu.