Information Technology

Learn the fundamentals of IT from industry-skilled instructors. Dive deeper into program-specific material with hands-on activities that will leave you job-ready. Choose a program in either Cybersecurity or IT Technical Support. Programs offer a capstone or internship to gain real-world experience during the 20-weeks.

Information Technology

The Information Technology (IT) program areas are designed to provide students with entry-level skills in the IT field through classroom and hands-on training completed in two 10-week phases. During Phase I, students learn the fundamentals in the IT industry. During Phase II, students move into program-specific information. At the end of the program, students participate in internships or capstones to participate in real-world IT projects.

Transcript – Start your Entry-Level IT Job at the North Star Innovation Center

LEROY WEST: You know, Summit was growing; we were at 95% capacity. We couldn’t fit anybody else in the shoe-box here. So, we needed a place. And we needed a place to grow. And we knew IT is the future. We launched the innovation center. That is the place where magic is happening in IT.

LOUIS KING: It is also a place where we provide the opportunity for you to master the skills of today, and be part of developing the skills needed for tomorrow.

MALLORY MONGE: We partnered with Summit Academy with hopes that individuals will start to see themselves in IT more. Providing a pathway for individuals who have never considered IT was kind of the goal.

DWYNE SMITH: For me, this was completely brand new.

JENNIFER SPRYSHAK: I worked for a bank.

DANIEL WAKEMUP: Quit my job as an accountant.

DONALD STEWART: I was a machine operator at a press company in Chanhassen.

ANDREW LEWIS: I started out not doing anything with computers. No IT stuff. At all. Construction. Warehouse. Burger King. You know, so… if I can do it, anyone can do it. I don’t think that there’s a barrier on anyone. I think that Summit’s willing to work with everyone as long as they’re willing to work with them.

LOUIS KING: So Summit had to get into help desk, had to get into network operations, had to get into app development. All the things that make today’s corvette run, we want to be the people who are there, and provide our students with access to those tools.

CHRISTEN WINSOR: It’s cool to see the newer technology that’s here. I hadn’t had a laptop for a while; being able to play around with that has been kind of fun. Considering that I’m going for application development, hopefully it’ll help me get some experience and some confidence. So, that when I do get in the job sector, I’m able to flourish there.

LEROY WEST: Students are getting great training. So, when employers are coming to us and asking for our graduates, or interviewing our graduates, you know, they’re getting somebody who’s well-trained and well-prepared for that industry.

ANDREW BINGENHEIMER: By bringing these individuals in as an apprentice-level, we create a huge opportunity from the standpoint of growth within the organization.

DWYNE SMITH: The internship worked out great. It allowed us to get the work experience while learning something new. And, it allowed us the opportunity to build a relationship with a place, to where we can go straight into a real career.

MALLORY MONGE: We’ll pull some star students out of those cohorts and say: “You’re going to be an amazing fit. Let’s get you, kind of, on this fast track and into IT. You’ll start in an entry-level position and we’ll grow you from there.”

ANDREW BINGENHEIMER: And as we see these individuals start to take more positions and more responsibility, leading people. That’s the part of the story that’s going to be really eye-opening as we look at the trajectory of, you know, what an apprentice runway is within a company like US Bank.

DWYNE SMITH: So it went from, being out of work to working. The internship was paid. So, we were in a paid internship. And so, you started to produce for your family before you even finished the program.

ANDREW BINGENHEIMER: Our apprentices are coming in excess of $60,000 starting salary. That’s the starting point. And as those individuals continue to grow, continue to learn, the income earning potential just goes up from there.

LEROY WEST: And that’s what Summit – what we do. You know, we provide those levels of skills to get you that entry level job. So that you can then ascend in your career. So that you can start providing for yourself and your family.

ANDREW LEWIS: Coming to Summit, and the people who are here, I feel like they genuinely care; they want you to succeed. And they’re willing to do what they can to help you do that.

DWYNE SMITH: If you’re willing to take on a new language; you’re willing to try something new; you’re willing to be motivated — Then, try the IT program.

LOUIS KING: In here, we give people the skills and education that they need. But, at the same time, we connect them to a social network that allows them to participate in the economy. And the market needs them now, and we are happy to play that role.