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The Alabama Data Scholars, a pioneering internship and skill-building initiative powered by QuantHub through grant funding by Innovate Alabama, celebrated the graduation of their first cohort of Data Scholars on July 25, 2024 at QuantHub’s Headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama with a graduation ceremony and a series of Scholar presentations.
Pioneering a New Era of Tech Talent in Alabama
The brand-new program is transforming the future of tech talent in Alabama by equipping high school students with cutting-edge skills in data science, analytics, and AI through direct, hands-on experience. By partnering with a mix of corporate partners, innovative startups, tech companies, and nonprofit and government entities, Alabama Data Scholars offers Alabama high school students from across the state the rare opportunity to gain 21st-century skills through paid internships, all before graduating high school. This 8-week internship and skills development program has opened doors for students across Alabama, equipping them with the tools and experiences needed to thrive in high-demand careers and allowing them to find opportunities to succeed right in their home state.
Dr. Kelsey Bickett, Program Manager of the Data Scholars Internship, breaks down the impact of the program
The inaugural cohort of Alabama Data Scholars, comprised of 26 Scholars, was competitively selected from a pool of over 100 applicants. Once accepted into the program, interns were placed with 21 innovative employers throughout the state, including Energy Alabama, Hispanic and Immigrant Center of Alabama (HICA), BlackBelt Technologies (BBT Connects), Southern Company, Protective Life Insurance, EBSCO Information Services, Altec and many more. These organizations provided an enriching environment where Scholars could develop valuable skills in AI and machine learning, data analysis, data visualization, business analytics, Power BI, Python, and SQL by participating in their own hands-on projects.
Throughout the program, Scholars not only gained technical expertise but also heard from special guest speakers from higher education partners at Alabama State University, Auburn University at Montgomery, Samford University, Trenholm State Community College, Troy University, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of Montevallo, and the University of North Alabama. These institutions provided valuable perspectives on the latest advancements and research in data science, offering Scholars a comprehensive understanding of the academic pathways available to them.
A key highlight of the program was the opportunity for Scholars to earn micro-credentials through their successful completion of skills in QuantHub. These micro-credentials are recognized in the industry and are specifically aligned with Alabama’s talent marketplace, known as Talent Triad, providing Scholars with a competitive edge as they enter the workforce.
Dr. Kelsey Bickett, Program Manager of Alabama Data Scholars, introduced the cohort to the audience by breaking down some of the most impressive data points generated by the interns during the program. By the close of the 8–week program, interns mastered over 450 data skills (despite the fact that 85% of Scholars were also juggling commitments outside of school). She added that Scholars could expect to earn a projected starting salary of $85,956 after college (well above Alabama’s average salary $47,826), which would translate to an estimated 8x ROI for the state.
But Dr. Bickett was clear: the priority of Alabama Data Scholars is not only to build a robust workforce for the state but also to persuade the Scholars to consider making Alabama their forever home:
“While the internship experience itself was central to the program, we also wanted to ensure that students knew that they had access to great opportunities in Alabama. You can stay here and have a great quality of life, get a great education, and achieve your dreams.”
Bridging the Urban-Rural Tech Skills Gap
As demand for tech skills surges, place-based opportunity gaps persist, leaving rural communities at a disadvantage and vast amounts of potential untapped. Alabama Data Scholars is a vital step toward addressing these disparities by bringing relevant tech skills to learners across the state. By focusing on inclusive and diverse talent pipelines, the program ensures that all students, regardless of their geographic location, have access to the education and opportunities needed to succeed in the 21st-century workforce.
Data Scholar Joseph Kelly (far left) worked with the AL Department of Commerce, Rural Development Department and is pictured here with Alabama Governor Kay Ivey at the opening of Alabama Mineral Springs LLC.
Shannon Allen, Program Director for HBCU Engagement at Innovate Alabama, expressed her pride in the Scholars’ achievements:
“Innovate Alabama is dedicated to driving entrepreneurship and innovation all across our great state, and part of that mission is investing in young talent, just like you, that will shape our future. Data science and data literacy are the cornerstones of our workforce, and you, our graduates, are standing right at the front of that transformation.”
Data Scholars Monisha Bommu and Fernando Acevedo attend the Sloss Tech Next in Tech panel
Stories of Success and Learning
After each Scholar received their diploma and $500 scholarship, they were invited to the stage to present the projects they worked on during the course of their internship and share what skills they took away from the experience.
Fernando Acevedo discusses his experience working with ¡HICA!
Fernando Acevedo, a rising senior at Hoover High School, shared that he learned the complexities of data migration and access control while interning at ¡HICA! One pivotal part of his experience as an Alabama Data Scholar was creating a data visualization showing the increase in Hispanic populations across Alabama counties over the past 30 years.
Mang interned remotely, completing internship assignments for EBSCOed from the comfort of home
Mang Hnin Lian, a rising junior at Susan Moore High School, interned remotely with EBSCOed where he was tasked with enhancing the company’s credentialing system. He successfully created over 32 new credentials and added more than 1,500 skills to strengthen the database. Additionally, he developed over 200 skeleton credentials, laying a solid foundation for future expansions aimed at colleges. These contributions not only bolstered EBSCOed’s credentialing framework but also deepened his understanding of database management and skill integration.
Mang also found a unique way to personalize his internship experience by leveraging his passion for programming. Inspired by his love for coding, Mang devised a system to gamify the process of collecting “neurons” within the tasks assigned through QuantHub. And using Python, he managed to automate and iterate tasks, effectively “cheating” the system in a constructive way. This approach not only allowed him to excel in completing tasks but also fueled his enthusiasm for tackling challenges creatively.
“Reflecting on my internship and experience in the Data Scholars program, I am profoundly grateful for the myriad opportunities that have shaped my personal and professional growth. Beyond acquiring technical proficiency, I developed essential soft skills — including communication, critical thinking, and adaptability — that are indispensable in today’s competitive landscape.”
-Mang Hnin Lian, Alabama Data Scholar
Kingston Boatman (left) worked with fellow Data Scholar Preston Ganacayo (right) at Tquila Automation. Here they are pictured with Tquila Automation Co-Founder and CTO, Richard Denton (middle).
Kingston Boatman, a rising junior at Hoover High School, was hosted by Tquila Automation, where he immersed himself in the world of AI, automation, and data analytics. His primary assignment was to develop a recruitment chatbot for the company’s hiring managers. Using Druid AI, Kingston and his team designed a chatbot that could ask candidates questions from a survey created by the HR team. The responses were then processed using UiPath and automatically input into a Google form.
“QuantHub’s Data Scholars program has allowed me to learn about different degrees offered at colleges within Alabama related to these fields, and the skills I’ve developed have helped me narrow down which type of engineering I am interested in pursuing in college. I’ve also realized just how useful AI and data literacy can be and how their applicability could benefit people working in many different fields. The growing uses of AI and data will only make it more important for students to become familiar with skills like those I’ve learned as an intern.”
-Kingston Boatman, Alabama Data Scholar
Irene Kihara’s presentation on her internship experience with BlackBelt Technologies
Irene Kihara, an intern with BlackBelt Technologies, learned the importance of data literacy and how organizations use data to make informed decisions. “Something that surprised me is the high demand for data scientists. This showed me the crucial role data plays in helping organizations become profitable and improve their operations.”
Interning at BBT Connects was an eye-opening experience for Irene, highlighting the critical importance of data and AI skills in government and organizational settings. The internship also made her realize how these skills can aid in predicting outcomes and making better decisions. As a student who plans to major in cybersecurity engineering, Irene found that the new skills and problem-solving abilities she acquired will be invaluable in securing career opportunities in the future.
“My experience with the Data Scholars program has been invaluable, not only in connecting me with an industry internship but also in providing opportunities to learn from professors and speakers about post-high school prospects and ongoing skills development.”
-Irene Kihara, Alabama Data Scholar
The Scholar Showcase celebrating these Scholars’ achievements was more than just a celebration; it was a testament to the power of opportunity, learning, and the impact of data science on our world. As Shannon Allen concluded, “Alabama is going to benefit and reap the rewards from this partnership for years to come.”
We encourage you to explore the phenomenal projects and work created by the Alabama Data Scholars here.
Apply to join the 2025 Alabama Data Scholars cohort now!
Student applications open in December 2024, and employers interested in getting involved can register now through October 1, 2024 to help with student recruitment, and support the program as speakers, workshop leaders, mentors, and more. Both applications can be found at https://www.quanthub.com/intern/
Alabama high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates are eligible to apply to the Alabama Data Scholars, provided they are over the age of 16 at the start of the internship. The program welcomes students eager to learn, regardless of their prior experience, making it an inclusive opportunity for all interested in business, STEM careers, and data science.
The selection process is thorough, and Scholars are evaluated based on their interest in data science, academic and extracurricular involvement, and their engagement in QuantHub. Final internship placements are made by partnering employers after careful review and interviews.
Looking Forward
As the Alabama Data Scholars program continues to evolve, the future is bright for both the Alabama Data Scholars and the state of Alabama.
QuantHub is introducing Applied Data Science and Data Analytics courses in Alabama classrooms during the 2024–2025 academic year. These courses will complement and integrate the QuantHub educational platform into the curriculum, effectively preparing students to dive into internships through skill paths and exercises seamlessly aligned with industry needs.
QuantHub is also piloting new community projects to engage K-12 students with data, involving Data Scholars alumni in peer mentoring and project management activities across the state. The Alabama Data Scholars program will also expand to involve more students and employers in 2025, with plans currently underway to build out new, interdisciplinary data pathways and undergraduate internship and professional development opportunities.
Alabama Data Scholars is just the beginning for QuantHub.
QuantHub is on a mission to advance data literacy across the U.S. through a unique, multifaceted, and tech-driven approach. They aim to replicate this work in other states and nationally! For more information, reach out to k12@quanthub.com.
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