This summer, Cleveland high school students gained hands-on, real-world experience designing websites for KeyBank mock client volunteers. Through a TECH CORPS program called Student WEB CORPS, nearly 80 students and more than 40 KeyBank volunteers partnered together for a learn-and-earn experience.
The Student WEB CORPS program provides high school students with a suite of web development, project management, and professionalism skills and then challenges them to apply those skills by building a website for a mock business.
KeyBank Events & Program Manager Rhonda Crawford says the Student WEB CORPS program is popular with Key associates because they enjoy working with a diverse group of students who love technology. “Key is very big on community involvement and giving back,” says Crawford. “We want to work with students and get them introduced to the technology field and build relationships so hopefully they can become future KeyBank interns or rotational analysts.”
For most students, this was their first experience working in a simulated, corporate-style environment. The students met online weekly with their KeyBank mock client volunteer to learn the scope of their website project. The website businesses included professional dog walkers, florists, fitness centers, computer repair, and more. The mock client volunteers challenged the students on several topics, including logo design, online scheduling, blogs, and customer testimonials, while the students worked diligently to build websites that met their client’s specifications.
“We were nervous when we first met our mock client because we didn’t know what to expect or what type of person our client would be,” explained Alexander, a 12th-grade student at John Hay School of Science and Medicine High School. “We had to focus on what we were tasked to do for our client. If the client was rigorous or specific, we had to accept that and not let our personalities get in the way of our work.”
The KeyBank volunteers gave the students a taste of what they can expect in their future careers. “I find it extremely important to work with high school students because there may be gaps between their future job/s and their understanding of what it may look like to work for someone,” explained Marshall Cannon, a KeyBank Senior Marketing Consultant. “This type of work is what I’ve done for more than 25 years and being able to share simulated experiences that are close to reality helps the students gain invaluable experience that should propel their future forward in many ways.”
As the students worked in small teams, each student applied and was “hired” as either a team leader/project manager, content manager/verifier, designer/innovator, or coder/developer. With support from TECH CORPS summer staff, the teams worked in a safe and supportive environment.
Katie McDonald, KeyBank Lead Service Officer, was excited to be part of each team member’s transformation from student to professional. “The students began our calls somewhat on the quieter side, hesitant to speak up or ask for much feedback,” says McDonald. “As we progressed, they became more vocal and confident. As they became more engaged, they began to take their individual roles on the team to another level. It was impressive and very rewarding to see them step up and exceed expectations.”
TECH CORPS has been bringing technology education experiences to K-12 students for more than 25 years. TECH CORPS National Executive Director Lisa M. Chambers believes that to ensure a technologically literate workforce tomorrow, we must take a holistic approach to growing, nurturing, and supporting students today. She said, “We are grateful for the support of the KeyBank volunteers. The time they shared with our students will have a lasting impact for years to come.”
In 2023, the Student WEB CORPS program was implemented in Chicago, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; and Lorain, Ohio with more than 60 mock client volunteers representing more than 15 companies. Program sponsors include KeyBank Foundation, Nord Family Foundation, Google, Tech Talent Pipeline, Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services, Youth Opportunities Unlimited-Cleveland, Claretian Associates, and One Summer Chicago.
