Irvine, Calif., Oct. 28, 2021 — The University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education invites recent alumni to apply to Netflix Pathways Boot Camps.
These no-cost online training programs in cutting-edge technology fields are available through a partnership with Netflix, the world’s largest streaming entertainment service; 2U, a global education technology company; and historically Black college and universities and Hispanic-Serving Institutions around the country. The boot camps’ mission is to diversify and accelerate the careers of the next generation of tech leaders. UCI, a nationally recognized HSI, is the sixth university – and the first in California – to provide the programs.
Starting in January 2022, the UCI Division of Continuing Education and Netflix will offer part-time, introductory-level boot camps in Java engineering, data science and UX/UI design to UCI alumni from the classes of 2020 and 2021. Those who complete the 17-week foundational course will have the opportunity to progress into an advanced program in the same subject in fall 2022. Applications for UCI’s Netflix Pathways Boot Camps are being accepted until 8:59 p.m. Pacific time on Nov. 29 at netflix.2u.com, with classes beginning Jan. 10.
“UCI’s alliance with Netflix Pathways Boot Camps underscores UCI’s emphasis on creating successful pathways for its graduates to careers and jobs that address the needs of our regional and national economies,” said Gary W. Matkin, Ph.D., dean of continuing education and vice provost of career pathways. “UCI’s reputation for serving students of many backgrounds means that, through this program, a pool of highly trained, workforce-ready and diverse recent graduates of UCI, dedicated to the advancement of information science and technology, will enter the workforce very soon.”
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 19.3 percent of the more than 88,633 bachelor’s degrees awarded in the computer and information sciences field in 2019 went to students who identified as Black or Hispanic. Stronger connections between higher education and the workforce are one way to help bridge this persistent diversity gap.
“Throughout my career, I’ve benefited from development programs that have positively shaped my career,” said Corey Twitty, global emerging talent lead at Netflix. “Technical training and mentorship help us close the representation gap in the tech industry. By bringing a large public university like UCI into the Netflix Pathways Boot Camps, we can continue to expand access to tech jobs for historically underrepresented talent, especially for Black and Latinx students.”
Course materials for the boot camps have been developed by 2U in collaboration with subject matter experts across the Netflix organization. Students partner with seasoned employees on Netflix’s engineering, data and UX/UI teams. They gain industry insights and key knowledge through regular one-on-one mentorship sessions and receive dedicated support services and career coaching from 2U’s advisers.
Since 2017, the UCI Division of Continuing Education has worked with 2U to provide adults with high-quality, market-responsive boot camps in subjects including coding, cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing and UX/UI design that have helped more than 1,900 graduates obtain the skills to pursue technology careers.
“UCI has been a longstanding partner of 2U in providing transformative career training opportunities to adult learners in the region and beyond,” said José Santos, vice president and team lead of program strategy at 2U. “Partnership is critical to creating a more diverse, innovative and inclusive tech workforce, and together with Netflix and 2U, UCI can now offer recent alumni new opportunities to build the skills and professional networks needed to succeed.”
Also related to UCI’s federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, the university just announced that it has been named an inaugural Fulbright HSI Leader by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
For more information on Netflix Pathways Boot Camps, visit netflix.2u.com.
About University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education: The UCI Division of Continuing Education provides lifelong learning opportunities to thousands of students worldwide each year – fulfilling the school’s 60-year curriculum platform to connect degree programs to the world of work and achievement after graduation. The division offers a broad range of certificate programs, specialized studies and sequential courses to local, regional and global markets through online, on-campus and on-site delivery. A leader in the open education movement, the division provides free massive online open courses and content through the UCI Open initiative. For more information about the UCI Division of Continuing Education, visit ce.uci.edu.
About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu.
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