Business Analyst

Team 3

Veronica Aguila

Rori Jackson

Nneka Okobi

Fayetteville State University

School of Business and Economics

BIDA 670, Spring 2024

March 11, 2023

CONTENTS

I. Introduction

A. General Overview of The Contents

B. Motivation

C. Goals

D. Company Background

II. Problem Definition

III. Literature Review

IV. Approach / Methodology

V. Data Collection

1. Introduction

Our analysis encompasses the developing youth STEM programs of the Emerging Technology Institute, a small military and first responder training company. The overarching goal of this research is to optimize its cohort 4 program called the Young Innovators program. The Young Innovators program is a high-impact internship program targeted towards high school upperclassmen and college students and prepares them to enter a technologically driven workforce. The structure of the Young Innovators program is undergoing a restructuring thus, this research is critical in setting the foundation for future cohorts. There are approximately ten cohort 4 participants during the 2023-2024 school year and, the organization aims to increase the participant size and number of internship iterations. To do this, ETI must the dynamics between baseline STEM skills and attitude evaluations, workforce readiness metrics and digital competencies.

1.1. General Overview of the Contents

We will explore ETI’s background and evolution, the challenges it faces, and the motivations and goals of this research. Subsequently, we will navigate through a comprehensive literature review of workforce readiness and digital competency as it relates to technological careers. Following, we will meticulously lay out the approach and methodology adopted for the research to include data collection and survey assessments. The culmination will include a discussion of the implications and significance of the research and transformative options for ETI.

1.2. Motivation

Firstly, the motivation behind this research is driven by ETI’s innate desire to offer a next step solution to youth in STEM who are interested in pursuing technology careers. Secondly, to impart on today’s emerging and young adults the skills to successfully operate in the technology driven workforce. Finally, to generate a positive understanding and increased awareness of career opportunities working alongside the military and federal workforce. The company's primary challenge is identifying which metrics are most useful in determine attitude improvements and skill competencies of their emerging and young adult populations.

1.3. Goals

The goals set forth for this research are designed to be transformative for the future of ETI’s cohort 4 of the Young Innovators program.

1.3.1. The first goal is to establish and validate baseline metrics used to determine participant success.

1.3.2. The second goal is to evaluate the digital competencies of high school students and college students as it pertains to workforce readiness.

1.3.3. The third goal is to compare the digital skills and competencies assessments of cohort 4 against the wider student population to determine ranking and success.

1.4. Company Background

Emerging Technology Institute (ETI) is a small military and first responder professional training and coaching company established around 2018. ETI specializes in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), robotics and artificial intelligence in addition to offering tactical training at their facilities. Emerging Technology Institute (ETI) is a small military and first responder professional training and coaching company established in 2018. In 2022, ETI established its youth STEM program, broadened to elementary through college students, that offers STEM engagements and curriculum described as Level 1 – 4 services. Services include school-based engagements, intensive clinics, camps, and opportunities for competitions, scholarships, and internships. The goal of the program is to expose students to technology careers and develop the skills needed in Department of Defense and the American workforce.

2. Problem Definition

The company has not established baseline data collection efforts to track participant progress through cohort programs. Current data collection has revolved around observational engagement and attitude perceptions for cohorts 1-3. The company is interested in having the ability to determine if positive changes in skills and attitudes correlate with high-impact services to maximize program participation and output. Further, the company would like to understand which indicators are significant in determining changes in skills and attitudes.

3. Literature Review

4. Approach / Methodology

4.1. Approach

4.2. Methodology

5. Data Collection

Data collection will encompass a small skills and attitude survey aimed at current cohort 4 participants. Further, a larger 82-question digital competency survey will be distributed to a larger high school and college student population. Cohort 4 participants will be evaluated against the larger population to determine rankings in like programs and to determine baseline skills.