IEEE Engineers Train 30+ Students to Close Tech Skills Gap

Students graduating with computer science degrees often lack the hands-on skills employers desperately need, but a group of young engineers just proved there's a practical solution.

The IEEE North Jersey Section Young Professionals hosted their first Buildathon event at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in November, bringing together 30 students and early-career engineers with 11 industry experts. The day-long program focused on AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing skills that universities often don't have time to teach.

Alok Tibrewala, a senior IEEE member and software engineer, organized the event after reading a troubling government report. Last year, three U.S. departments confirmed what tech workers already knew: America faces a serious shortage of talent in advanced manufacturing, AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. The gap threatens the country's economic and technological leadership.

"Students will be entering the U.S. workforce without enough hands-on experience building secure AI-enabled enterprise and cloud systems," Tibrewala explained. He saw early-career workers would feel the impact first, so he partnered with NJIT to create mentor-led training before students graduate.

The workshops covered practical skills like managing research datasets through IEEE DataPort, understanding how AI transforms game development, and building professional brands that get noticed by employers. One session taught engineers how to adapt their communication styles to work better with different personality types.

Why This Inspires

The results speak louder than the curriculum. Humna Sultan, a senior at Stevens Institute of Technology, said the training "significantly enhanced my understanding and readiness for industry roles, filling gaps my regular academic coursework did not fully address."

Carlos Figueredo, a graduate student at the University of Michigan, felt the difference immediately. "It boosted my confidence and practical skills essential for the industry," he shared after working through real engineering challenge scenarios.

The timing couldn't be better. The U.S. Labor Department launched a $145 million grant program last month to develop apprenticeships in AI and information technology. Tibrewala's grassroots approach shows that professional organizations and universities can bridge the gap right now, without waiting for government funding to arrive.

IEEE Region 1 Director Bala S. Prasanna emphasized during his keynote that this kind of collaboration between universities, industry practitioners, and volunteer leaders will become essential. Programs like the Buildathon create a direct pathway from classroom theory to workplace reality.

With sustained support, this model could spread across the country, turning anxious graduates into confident professionals ready to lead America's tech future.