Zillow Announces 2nd Annual HBCU Housing Hackathon
Data scientists, robotics engineers, UI/UX designers, and artificial intelligence specialists are some of the most sought-after jobs in today’s workforce. Since technology is constantly advancing, recruiters in tech industries are always hunting for new talent. As a way to diversify the tech industry and help HBCU students develop in-demand skills, Zillow is hosting another Hackathon program this year.
Earlier this month, Zillow opened registration for its second annual HBCU Housing Hackathon. Zillow is a tech real-estate company offering a marketplace for renters and homebuyers to find homes. The HBCU Housing Hackathon — a collaboration between Zillow, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and Amplify 4 Good — helps HBCU students learn essential tech and business skills. At the same time, they compete for almost $90,000 in cash prizes and internship opportunities.
“The hackathon is open to students who have advanced coding experience as well as those with little or none. Teams can have as many as four members, and although registration is open to HBCU students in any degree program, each team must have at least two members enrolled in a computer science, computer engineering, or related major” (Zillow).
The program runs from September 9th to 16th, with Zillow giving participants an overview of the real estate industry. The students will then develop and pitch tech solutions to help Zillow’s consumers find their dream homes. At the end of the competition, the students will present their ideas to Zillow and other tech giants to obtain cash prizes, internship opportunities, and other incentives for their HBCUs.
“The UNCF is proud to be back for a second year, partnering with Zillow on such an impactful program for our students, said Chad Womack, vice president of National STEM Programs and Initiatives at UNCF, and the co-founder of Black Tech Ventures. “Our HBCU campus connections allow us to reach students who may not otherwise consider such a challenge. We’re working to diversify the talent within STEM industries, and programs like Zillow’s HBCU Housing Hackathon helps us do just that.” (PR Newswire).
Registration for the HBCU Housing Hackathon closes on September 6th, 2022. To learn more or register for the program, visit their website.