Classroom to Career Program
Connecting Students with Real-World Tech Professionals
TechStart’s Classroom to Career program connects K–12 classrooms across Oregon and SW Washington with technology professionals who can share real-world insights, career paths, and industry experience.
Our goal is simple: help students see what’s possible in tech, and how to get there.
How It Works
We match schools with volunteer tech professionals for:
Guest speaking
Career exploration sessions
Q&A discussions about tech careers
Real-world insights into the industry
Whether you're a teacher looking to inspire your students, or a professional looking to give back, this program makes it easy to connect.
For Schools & Educators
Bring real-world tech experience into your classroom.
TechStart works with teachers, administrators, and schools to match you with professionals based on your needs—whether that’s a one-time guest speaker or ongoing engagement.
You can Request:
Industry guest speakers
Career exploration sessions
Support for computer science and STEM programs
What Happens After You Submit?
Once you submit the School Interest Form, TechStart records your school's information and volunteer preferences. We'll identify technology professionals who have expressed interest in volunteering in your county.
When professionals are available, we'll email you a list of interested volunteers, including their backgrounds, contact information, and availability. You can then reach out to a professional directly to coordinate a classroom visit.
Please note: Submitting the form does not guarantee an immediate match. Availability depends on professionals volunteering in your area.
For Technology Professionals
Give back and help shape the next generation of innovators.
We’re looking for professionals across all areas of tech: software, IT, data, cybersecurity, product, and more, to share their experience with students.
Opportunities include:
Speaking to classrooms
Sharing your career journey
Answering student questions about the industry
What Happens After You Submit?
Once you submit the Industry Professional Form, your information will be added to our volunteer database, where we connect professionals with interested schools based on county preference.
When a school in your selected county is looking for volunteers, TechStart may share your professional profile and contact information with the school. A teacher can then contact you directly to discuss scheduling a classroom visit.
Please note: Signing up does not commit you to a specific date or classroom visit. Scheduling is coordinated directly between you and the school.
Our Impact
Access to computer science and technology careers isn’t equal across all schools. This program helps bridge that gap by connecting students—especially in underserved and rural communities—with real professionals in the field.
Privacy & Data Use
Information submitted through our forms is accessible only to authorized TechStart team members and is used to coordinate connections between schools and technology professionals.
Relevant professional profiles and contact information may be shared with participating schools to facilitate classroom visits. We do not publicly publish submitted personal information.
Get Involved
Whether you're an educator or a professional, your participation helps expand access to computer science education and career pathways for students across our region.