i.c.stars is a nonprofit organization that has identified, trained, and placed low-income young adults in technology careers in Chicago since 1999. It provides training programs of varying lengths and helps place over 90% of graduates in jobs with over 80% retention in the industry. The organization has hosted over 2,200 events with business leaders and invested over 3,000 volunteer hours back into local communities. It works with companies to provide internships, residencies, fellowships and job placements to bring diversity to the tech sector through engagement, sponsorship, and employment opportunities.

1. i.c.stars |*
PAINT THE FUTURE
We find talent, train talent and put talent to work…
Since 1999, i.c.stars has been identifying, training, and jump-starting technology
careers for Chicago area low-income young adults who, although lacking access to
education and employment, demonstrate extraordinary potential for success in the
business world and for impact in their communities.

2. i.c.stars |*
PAINT THE FUTURE
92% job placement rate92% job placement rate
81% industry retention rate81% industry retention rate
Over 200% increase in payOver 200% increase in pay
Over 2200 high teas withOver 2200 high teas with
business leaders since 2000business leaders since 2000
1000 hours of industry volunteers at i.c.stars inspiring1000 hours of industry volunteers at i.c.stars inspiring
Over 3,000 hours of volunteering re-invested in ourOver 3,000 hours of volunteering re-invested in our
communitiescommunities
The total social return on investment (SROI)
is 1816.21% when factoring in increase in
income and public social services saved

3. i.c.stars |*
PAINT THE FUTURE
Internship
Program
Residency
Program
Fellowship
Program
1200 hours 1600 hours 1600 hours
Associates Degree
1600 hours
Internship Training Program – onsite at i.c.stars
4 months – 70hrs/week
Month 1 Month 2 Months 3-4
Project RFP
Competition
Business
Competition
Application
Development
Client Enterprise Startup Non-profit
Skills • Requirements
Definition
• Vendor Analysis
• Project Estimation
• Mediate conflict
between Business
and IT
• Lean Startup
• Marketing mini-
sites
• App/Mobile Dev
• PPC Marketing
• Conduct
Customer
Interviews
• Systems Dev.
Lifecycle
• Mobile Dev
• Quality Assurance
Testing
Sponsors

4. i.c.stars |*
PAINT THE FUTURE

5. i.c.stars |*
PAINT THE FUTURE
Engagement Model
(where to plug in and how much it costs)
Step 1:
ENGAGEMENT
Step 2:
SPONSORSHIP
Step 3:
EMPLOYMENT/
CONTRACTING
Goal
Learn about i.c.stars – get to know
how the organizations might work
together
Goal
Increase Employee Satisfaction and
Retention of top performers through
participation in CSR experiences with
i.c.stars
Goal
Recurring Talent Source in
project/staffing or full-time
employment related activities
*Critical Success factor – Hiring
Managers initiate demand
Sample Activities
Attend “High Tea”
Table Host for Capitalize on Illinois
Innovation Host for iOpener
Celebrity Bartender at TechBash
Sample Activities
RFP Project
Job shadowing Day
Mock interview Evening
Event tickets for team members
Sample Activities
Development Projects
Service Desk Staffing
Temp to perm hiring
Rotational Programs
Cost
No cost
Cost
$2.5K - $60K / year
Cost
Varies based on project/role range:
$15-$55/hr

6. i.c.stars |*
PAINT THE FUTURE

7. i.c.stars |*
PAINT THE FUTURE

8. i.c.stars |*
PAINT THE FUTURE

9. i.c.stars |*
PAINT THE FUTURE
Roles Companies
Marketing Coordinators (4 hires in 12
months)
SIM Partners
Mobile Application Developers (3 hires in
12 months)
Solstice Mobile
.NET Developer in Selenium Coyote Logistics
.NET Developer Front End Magnani Continuum Marketing
Data Specialist Reyes Holdings
Automation QA Associate ifbyphone
Application Development Intern Accenture
Application Specialist Grosvenor Capital Management
LAN Support Specialist ICE
Windows Desktop Refresh Consultant Juno Lighting
TechBar Consultant Sun Times
Ux Researcher Apartments.com
Fulfillment Coordinator Cars.com
Level 1 Support Redbox
Application Specialist
Business Analyst
Production Engineer
Fieldglass

10. i.c.stars |*
PAINT THE FUTURE
Roles Companies
Marketing Coordinators (4 hires in 12
months)
SIM Partners
Mobile Application Developers (3 hires in
12 months)
Solstice Mobile
.NET Developer in Selenium Coyote Logistics
.NET Developer Front End Magnani Continuum Marketing
Data Specialist Reyes Holdings
Automation QA Associate ifbyphone
Application Development Intern Accenture
Application Specialist Grosvenor Capital Management
LAN Support Specialist ICE
Windows Desktop Refresh Consultant Juno Lighting
TechBar Consultant Sun Times
Ux Researcher Apartments.com
Fulfillment Coordinator Cars.com
Level 1 Support Redbox
Application Specialist
Business Analyst
Production Engineer
Fieldglass