Become a Seneca
Foundation Tech Scholar
What if your career in tech kicked off your college journey?
The Seneca Foundation
makes that possible.
Here’s what happens
when you join Seneca
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Get Ahead of the Curve
Start gaining experience in computer programming AS you begin your college career. Computer science, data analytics and cybersecurity are the fastest growing tech careers in IL. Plus, the median annual wage of computer-programming related occupations in 2019 was $86,980.
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Code, Code, Code
You’ll get nine months of technical training, working on a team and coding 6+ hours each day, creating a strong foundation in software engineering. You will help to develop a web application that you can show off to potential employers.
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Earn While You Learn
From the beginning of your apprenticeship, you will earn well above minimum wage for the duration of the 14-month training.
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Getting Professional
In addition to your technical training, you’ll get robust post-secondary success training to help you thrive in the tech sphere - from workplace etiquette, to networking tips, to building an online presence.
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Real-World Experience
After successfully completing nine months of training at Seneca, you will be placed in an internship with an established company, getting hands-on experience as an intern-level software developer.
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College Tuition Assistance and Professional Memberships
The Seneca team and mentors work with all Tech Scholars to provide guidance to obtain necessary resources and financial assistance while pursuing an undergraduate degree. All Tech Scholars are eligible to receive a Seneca Scholarship ($3,000/year) towards the completion of a computer-related Bachelor’s degree and a paid student membership to the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) or the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Requirements
to Apply
Black or Latinx.
Able to legally work in the US, including students with DACA status.
High school graduate in 2022 or 2023.
Reside in the Chicagoland area.
Commit to obtain a bachelor’s degree in a computer science, data science, software engineering, or other software-related field upon graduation from the Seneca Foundation program. All Tech Scholars must be enrolled in college (2- or 4-year) no later than January 2024.
Seneca Foundation is a full-time commitment during the 1st summer. All accepted applicants must be available to work 100% in person during the Intensive Training (June 26-August 11) during the hours of 9:30am-3:30pm.
The Seneca Experience
Core Training
The first 9 months of the program covers, but is not limited to, the following topics: Computer Science Theory, Agile Principles, Command Line, Foundations of Engineering, Testing and Code Quality, Secure Coding, Web Architecture Principles, Data Architecture, Front-End Architecture, DevOps. Apprentices work in teams throughout the program.
Pre-Internship Preparation
During the academic year, Tech Scholars will continue to receive technical training while working closely with the engineering team to select and execute projects involving app development. Scholars will also continue to participate in college/career success workshops.
Internship at Seneca Tech Partner Company
After 9 months of training, Tech Scholars will be placed in a 5-month internship with a Seneca Partner Company and continue to receive post-secondary success support from the Seneca team.
“Being a part of this internship was absolutely life-changing for me. I would have been outside almost every night playing soccer had it not been for this opportunity. I feel incredibly accomplished right now."
— 2020-2021 Seneca Scholar
FAQs
Is the Seneca Training Program a job?
Yes. From your first day at Seneca you will be paid an above-minimum wage hourly rate. During the Seneca Intensive Training (June 26-August 11), scholars will work on-site for 30-40 hours/week in our office located Downtown Chicago at 2 N. Riverside Plaza.
What’s included in the program?
9 months of paid technical training, 5 months of work experience at a Seneca partner company and College/Career Readiness Workshops. Scholars are also paired with a mentor and tech tutor to support them throughout the program. Scholars also receive Seneca scholarships, professional organization student memberships and MacBooks to keep!
Does a Seneca Foundation internship replace college?
Absolutely not. A college degree in a STEM field is vitally important in today’s business environment and is critical to an individual’s economic mobility. Seneca believes you can begin your college journey with a paid apprenticeship.
How is a Seneca Foundation progrogram different from bootcamp?
Traditional coding bootcamps often focus on a single technology and are optimized for short-term results. At Seneca, an apprenticeship exposes you to the entire software development life-cycle, emphasizing technical problem solving and communication throughout the training, developing grit and a growth mindset.
