Work In Tech Estonia
10 months (22 ECT-s)
During this program, 250 women in Estonia will:
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get FREE access to an online course developed by Google and Coursera to develop skills that enable starting a career in IT
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develop a network among the local community of learners and recruiters
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develop soft-skills that support career change
The application form to our 2023 program is open and the application deadline extended to 24.02.
Short description:
Program duration: from March 2023 until January 2024
Price: FREE
Language: Coursera courses in English, rest of the communication in the program in Estonian.
Application criteria: no previous IT-related job or learning experience required, just a motivation to start a career in IT
Course structure: independent learning in Coursera (about 150h) to boost IT-related skills, webinars twice a month to increase soft skills, and internship at the end of the course.
What to expect as a learner?
During the program learners will get access to a free e-course in Coursera that gives learners a broad overview of IT and skills to start working as an IT Support specialist. It takes approximately 150 independent learning hours to finish the e-course. Learners can choose their own time and speed for finishing the course, however, we expect it to be finished within 5 months.
However, the IT Support Course is just the starting point in the program and the overall career change. To successfully finish the program AND find a new job, learners must go for an internship or choose additional course that they wish to study after completing the IT Support certificate. Learners are themselves responsible for finding an internship, work or a course/program for further studies. During the program learners get to meet inspirational speakers and company representatives to learn more about different job possibilities in the field of IT.
In addition, for those learners who finish IT Support quickly, we offer opportunity to take a specialization course in Data Analytics, Python, UX, Project management, E-Commerce, Cyber Security. This opportunity is available for the first 150 learners, who finish the IT Support course. And do not worry if you do not know what these words and professions mean - this is one of the main aims of the current program that we will help you to understand the different IT career opportunities as well as which role would suite you best.
There will be additional webinars organised to increase learners soft skills and career possibilities during the whole program duration. Those meetings are held online approximately twice a month and last about 2-4 hours. The initial topics for the webinars are following (can change a bit based on the learners preferences and availability of trainers/guest lecturers):
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Goal Setting, keeping motivation, and avoiding distractions while learning
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Learning strategies, how brain studies
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Time management
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Thinking techniques to solve obstacles
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Gender equality/gender issues (stereotypes and threats to women at labor market)
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Career planning (what work/organisations/roles would suite me)?
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Introduction to careers in: programming, data analytics, UX, digital marketing, management & cyber security
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Virtual teamwork essentials & effective digital communication
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Building a strong CV, motivational letter and Linkedin profile
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How to prepare for a job interview
The instructors of webinars may give learners additional independent tasks/exercises to be completed before or after the webinars to deepen the learning curve.
The learners will find themselves in a warm and friendly learning environment. Learners are organised into smaller learning groups of 5-6 learners, allowing to get to know each other better. The program managers are at disposal to support learners in every way they can - including for example giving 1-to-1 advice regards future career, CV, motivation letter, etc.
Criteria for candidates
The program accepts applications from candidates, who have:
- a strong desire and motivation to start a career in IT
- ability to dedicate approximately 8-10 hours per week for studies
- basic IT skills (to search for information in web, use ready made applications, etc)
- a level of English that enables studying and communicating in English, and a level of Estonian that allows taking part of webinars and groupwork in Estonian.
- a previous specialization in some other field or at least 3 years of working experience after high-school
How to apply?
To apply to the program, go to the online form in Google Forms, and provide us:
- your contact details
- link to your LinkedIn profile (if you do not have it, then now it is the time to do it ;))
- a motivation letter, where you explain your motivation and thrive to start working in the IT field, as well as your capabilities & resources for fulfilling the course criteria
- an answer to a practical exercise (you will learn more about it from the application form)
Criterias for passing the program
To pass the program, the leaner must:
- finish the IT Support course in Coursera (about 150 h or independent learning)
- attend 90% of the webinars
- go for an internship, start working in the IT field or choose additional course to study independently after the current program has finished
Learners, who meet the criteria above, will get a certificate stating that they have passed the program.
More information
A letter of acceptance or non-acceptance will come at least a week before the kick-off seminars.
The kick-off seminars are taking place on 23 and 25.03 at 10-14.
Before writing to us, please read through the DOCUMENT with frequently asked questions and answers (it is in Estonian).
If you still have additional questions, then we are at your disposal for further information.
2022 graduates key-takeaways from the program:
Program is supported by
