FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Amanda Britz/Erika Farber Heather Groetsch

Connors Communications TechiesDay

212/807-7500 612/253-3482

amanda@connors.com/erika@connors.com hgroetsch@techies.com

TECHIES ACROSS THE NATION PARTICIPATE IN LARGEST MENTORING PROGRAM TO REACH YOUNG STUDENTS

TechiesDay and TECH CORPS Bring IT Professionals into Schools to

Encourage Technology Careers

Minneapolis, MN – October 2, 2000 – TechiesDay, a nationwide initiative that addresses our nation’s increasing demand for a qualified technology workforce, has enlisted thousands of IT professionals to volunteer their time on October 3 in workshops and events in schools across the nation in order to expose young people to careers in technology. According to The Office of Technology Policy at the U.S. Department of Commerce, in 2008 there will be nearly four million information technology jobs.

With the help of TECH CORPS, a matching program that allows technology professionals to volunteer their time to raise awareness about technology careers in K-12 schools, students will celebrate TechiesDay by participating in these special programs. Some highlights include;

• Atlanta, GA – As part of the Student PC Loan Program, refurbished computers will be granted to students who are lacking technology at home. Students will be greeted by a representative from Compaq Computer Corp. who will discuss careers in technology.

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• Chicago, IL – TECH CORPS volunteers will speak about the many career paths in technology at five junior high schools throughout Chicago; Marconi Academy, Near North Montessori, Harriet Beecher Stowe Fine Arts Academy, Byrd Academy and Glen Ellyn School District.
• Minneapolis, MN – Students will visit and tour techies.com, a national network of local online career resources for technology professionals. Several different presentations will be given by employees on the following technology topics; computer design, teamwork and creativity lead by techies.com co-founder Doug Berg, the role of a COO, designing Web pages, immigration in technology and the role of business and writing in technology.
• Oakland, CA - The Oakland Technology Exchange West is announcing the “Project SOAR Take Home A Computer” program where it will deliver 700 Internet ready computers to SOAR students and their families.
• Washington, DC – A career assembly will be held at the “DC Link and Learn” in Waterside Mall where several technology employees will discuss with students the many directions one can go within a technology related education.

“Key to building a qualified technology workforce is providing young people with role models and hands-on exposure to technology,” said Sue Hanson, Director of TechiesDay. “The volunteer program we have created with TECH CORPS will reach thousands of children on TechiesDay, and we hope that this will have an impact on their futures and help gear them towards careers in technology.”

For more information about events happening in your neighborhood, please contact Erika Farber at Connors Communications, 917-408-6823 or Amy Perler Strom at TECH CORPS, 978-897-0275.

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About TECH CORPS

TECH CORPS is a national nonprofit dedicated to enhancing K-12 education through the effective use of technology in classrooms. TECH CORPS is building a national network of volunteers to help schools with technology planning, wiring, computer installation, teacher training, mentoring, and ongoing technical support.

About TechiesDay.org

TechiesDay, to take place on Oct. 3, 2000, is a nationwide initiative that addresses our nation’s increasing demand for a qualified technology workforce. TechiesDay was co-founded by CNET Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNET), the leading content network providing news and information to buyers and sellers around the world, and techies.com, inc. (www.techies.com), the national authority on the technology workforce providing solutions that help companies plan for, acquire, and retain their technology workers. TechiesDay seeks to create technology career awareness, readiness, response, and achievement among students in grades K-12, while recognizing technology professionals’ contributions to education. In addition to CNET and techies.com, TechiesDay sponsors include AOL, Atomic Tangerine, BestBuy.com, Compaq, Gartner, GirlGeeks, Microsoft, Saba, Scientific Learning Corporation, TECH CORPS and T.H.E Journal. To find out more about TechiesDay 2000, visit www.techiesday.org.

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