AIKCU is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Cook Systems International to help develop Kentucky’s Information Technology workforce. Cook Systems International has partnered with AIKCU to strategically place AIKCU-affiliated college students in real-world situations through the COLLEGECAREERCORPS® program.

The COLLEGECAREERCORPS® is a program that integrates students into professional technology teams in entry-level positions. The students join a team that includes experienced information technology professionals working on actual I.T. projects on a long-term basis. Cook Systems International has developed technical and certified management professionals using COLLEGECAREERCORPS® project methodologies and procedures to ensure achieving the highest quality project results. Students typically work 20 hours per week and continue with the same client partner for up to two years. Cook Systems International is currently working with approximately 20 colleges and universities nationwide through COLLEGECAREERCORPS® efforts.

Information Technology jobs represent one of the fastest-growing sectors in the U.S. economy, with more than 1 million new jobs projected to be added through 2014. Six of the 30 occupations expected to grow the fastest are I.T.-related, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Students benefit in the COLLEGECAREERCORPS® program by receiving professional training as employees of a professional I.T. services firm working directly on projects for major regional corporations, giving them exposure to key leaders in the business community. This further provides the students the ability to learn to work in a corporate team environment and add practical and real-world work experience to their resume. Students earn money year round and receive possible internship/credit hours while gaining an inside track to jump-starting a career.

As part of its partnership with AIKCU, Cook Systems International will actively identify corporate and government partners that can benefit from the COLLEGECAREERCORPS® program. Because partners contract directly with Cook Systems International, projects don’t have to begin and end during a single semester like a traditional internship. The COLLEGECAREERCORPS® program provides real and critical services to partners and long-term employment opportunities as well as professional level experiences to participating students.

Colleges and universities benefit by using Cook Systems International’s COLLEGECAREERCORPS® for several reasons, including improving student recruiting. Colleges and universities have seen computer science-related degree enrollment drop by as much as 70% nationwide. The COLLEGECAREERCORPS® program gives colleges and universities a better ability to attract more students to the field and increases their students’ chances of landing jobs by offering more intense, hands-on experiences.

“The Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities supports our member institutions and students by providing partnerships to enhance both their quality of education and the contribution they make to their community and our state,” said Gary Cox, AIKCU President. “This unique partnership with Cook Systems International’s COLLEGECAREERCORPS® to provide students with real IT work experience is a win-win for AIKCU’s member schools and students as well as for the communities and businesses in Kentucky.”

“We at Cook Systems International are excited about introducing our COLLEGECAREERCORPS® model to the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges & Universities and the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky area,” said Ben Bryant, President of Cook Systems International. “This has been a tremendous success in other regions of the country and we know it will be here as well. In addition to providing I.T. students with real-life project experience, this model serves as a significant I.T. workforce development initiative and globally cost-effective alternative to off-shore outsourcing for the corporate and government partners who support this.”

Corporate and government partners benefit with the COLLEGECAREERCORPS® by receiving Cook Systems International’s unique expertise with the model, leading edge research services from colleges and universities, and the ability to partner with students and faculty to address critical business challenges. Services are delivered at globally competitive rates while developing a future workforce.

Unlike traditional internship models, the student teams support real, operationally budgeted activities. Under the guidance through the COLLEGECAREERCORPS® program, the risk of using students is greatly reduced and ensures the success through Cook Systems International’s delivery accountability. Corporate and government partners further benefit by retaining the best and brightest students in the local area and by finding and managing students with fewer corporate resources.

About Cook Systems International, Inc.
Cook Systems International is a well-established firm headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, providing information technology resources and solutions to customers throughout the United States. With a strong focus on the mid-west and southeast, Cook Systems International currently has active initiatives in Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, and North Carolina with offices in Charlotte, Atlanta, Frankfort, and Colorado Springs.

Cook Systems International offers several types of services including: Program and Project Management, Professional Staffing, Managed Services, Outsourced Software Development and Maintenance Projects, Software Testing, Change Management and Business Process Consulting, and the COLLEGECAREERCORPS®.

Cook Systems International is the number one rated vendor in the Memphis area having a proven track record of providing unsurpassed I.T. consulting services to Fortune 1000 companies, as well as state and local governments. Cook Systems International currently is a major provider of I.T. Professional Services to the Commonwealth of Kentucky as well as to other states and Fortune 1000 companies.

For more information please visit cooksys.com or collegecareercorps.com.