Since 2021, Greater Washington Partnership (the Partnership) has championed over 500 scholarships for undergraduate students across the Baltimore to Richmond region through the Emerging Tech Talent (ETT) Scholarship program in collaboration with 14 postsecondary partners. The Scholarship supports learners from underrepresented populations in the tech workforce as they develop skills for technology careers, such as cybersecurity, data analytics, and software development. Forty-two percent of ETT students are first generation college students. The Emerging Tech Talent Scholarship is made possible by General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, T. Rowe Price and other leading organizations.

On November 6, the Partnership held the third annual Emerging Tech Talent Scholar Career & Game Day, hosted by Ted Leonsis, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Monumental Sports & Entertainment (Monumental) at District E and Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. The event drew 29 ETT scholars, representing 11 scholarship-awarding institutions: American University, Bowie State University, Gallaudet University, Georgetown University, George Mason University, Hood College, Marymount University, Towson University, Trinity Washington University, the University of Maryland, Global Campus, and the University of the District of Columbia. 

District E Industry Networking Session

The scholars kicked off the event with a private reception at District E, Monumental’s immersive venue for its professional esports teams. After opening remarks from Partnership CEO Kathy Hollinger, the scholars heard from Leonsis, who shared valuable insights and encouraged them to remain curious and adaptable as they transition from college to their careers – and to consider the growing opportunities in the region’s tech ecosystem. 

While at District E, the scholars participated in intimate, small-group discussions with leaders from some of the region’s top employers. Guest speakers included William Chen, Project Management Consultant at Maximus, Brian Krause, Founder and Managing Director of Coda and Vice President at Clark Construction, Venoth Lal, Director of Cyber Security Services at KPMG LLP, and Charlie Myers, Chief Technology Officer at Monumental Sports & Entertainment. The speakers shared stories about their career paths as well as advice for undergraduates and recent graduates pursuing opportunities in tech, including how young professionals can distinguish themselves in today’s competitive landscape.  

“Hard skills are what get you the job, but soft skills are what keep you the job.” – William Chen, Maximus

Capital One Arena Tour

Scholars then participated in an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the brand-new Monumental Sports Network (MNMT) studio and Capital One Arena.  Just minutes before the Washington Capitals’ pregame show went live, Monumental staff guided the group through MNMT’s state-of-the-art facilities including the studio and control rooms. The tour offered the scholars a preview of the potential tech transformations on the horizon as Monumental plans to upgrade the Arena and invest in downtown DC in the coming years. Afterward, the scholars received tickets to the evening’s Washington Capitals game – a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators that also marked the 1,000th win in Leonsis’s tenure as team owner. 

“It was an incredibly enriching experience at Capital One Arena, with a wealth of knowledge shared by industry leaders and inspiring entrepreneurs. Ted Leonsis’ encouragement about building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in Washington left a lasting impression. I left feeling energized about the future of tech in the Greater Washington area and grateful for the connections made.” – Ignacio Pericet, Business Management & Finance major, University of the District of Columbia 

“It was an amazing experience gaining insights about various tech-related fields from experts during our breakout sessions. It was inspiring to see the ongoing demand for tech talent in every industry—even in sports! I also had a blast touring Capital One Arena and the Monumental Sports studios, capped off by watching the Capitals game with my fellow Scholars! It was a memorable and enlightening day, showcasing how deeply tech integrates into all aspects of modern business.” – Sabhee Rehman, Computer Science major, Towson University 

“The Emerging Tech Talent Scholar Career and Game Day offered invaluable insights from speakers and alumni, and I’m excited to apply this knowledge in the legal field. Plus, cheering on the Caps made it all the more memorable – Go Caps!” – Alexis Tolentino, Political Science major, American University   

“Each individual I spoke to opened my eyes to being open to change and to being myself in every situation. Because at the end of the day, everyone starts from somewhere to get to where they are! I am very grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Emerging Tech Talent Scholar cohort and hope to continue networking and learning more through ETT events.” – Ramy Rozario, Information Technology major, Marymount University

Hear more from Emerging Tech Talent Scholarship students:

The Future of the Emerging Tech Talent Scholarship 

Greater Washington Partnership and its partner companies look forward to continuing to create opportunities for Emerging Tech Talent Scholars to learn from industry leaders and gain more exposure to career opportunities in our region.  

If you are an employer who is interested in engaging with students pursuing digital tech coursework across the Partnership’s university partners, please reach out to Kim Sarro ([email protected]) to learn more.