100,000+ reasons why the Tech Equity partnership wants to help Nashville learn to code

Brian Kimbrow talks about learning code with the determination you’d expect from a former SEC running back.

It’s not easy. Far from it.

Yet Kimbrow embraced months of technology training last year with CodeX Academy, taking time to learn something that at first, read like a foreign language.

And now, with support from a host of local business leaders, he’s inching closer to scoring a full-time gig as a full stack developer or software engineer. Expected entry-level salary: north of $100,000.

“If it’s something that you see that you want to achieve, accomplish, you can as long as you put your mind to it and remember that nothing is easy,” said Kimbrow, 31, a former student-athlete at Vanderbilt from 2012-15.

He's one of more than 500 CodeX Academy students, dating back to the program's launch in the fall of 2019. Then in January, he became a teacher's assistant, helping to guide the Tech Equity partnership's inaugural class of 34.

The Tech Equity partnership is supported by Amazon, the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, Nashville Soccer Club, Vanderbilt University, Nashville State Community College and Tony Giarratana. These local employers connect with students hailing from underserved and underrepresented communities in North Nashville and Antioch, getting a first look at potential job candidates.

"Most companies will train and graduate — 'OK, good luck. Let us know how you do,'" said Phil Henry, the CEO of CodeX Academy.

"We want to take it a step further and hold their hands throughout the entire process. To make sure they get proper, all-around training. Help with soft skills that will help them get in the door."

The annual cost of the virtual program is $146,000, funded by a collection of local grants.

Are tech jobs hiring in Nashville?

Software developer jobs are expected to be one of the most sought-after occupations during the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with the growth rate increasing 26% between 2022-32. Meanwhile, jobs are estimated to demand a median pay of approximately $127,000 annually.

Last year, the U.S. added 136,000 tech jobs.

While coding jobs are typically remote, some U.S. cities have become hubs for tech professionals. San Francisco/San Jose, Seattle, Denver, Austin, Boston and Washington D.C. top most lists, but Nashville's focus on healthcare, music and startups is increasing local opportunities.

Last year, Tennesse averaged more than 6,800 computer jobs each month, according to the 2023 State of Computer Science Education — with an average salary of $90,354.

These Tennessee high school students are required to take a computer science class to graduate

In Tennessee, the Class of 2028 will mark the first group of public students required to take a computer science class to earn a high school diploma. Yet the state legislation has already made an impact.

More than 22,000 high school students took foundational computer science during the 2022-2023 school year, according to the 2023 State of Computer Science Education – nearly double the total of previous periods. And Tennessee is one of nine states where more middle school students were enrolled in computer science than high school students.

Is math required for tech jobs? Answers

Andrew Becker disapproves when adolescents say someone is naturally good at computer science.

Hang on, he tells them, using himself as an example. He’s spent a lot of time in libraries; studying with peers; meeting with tutors; utilizing digital resources. An incremental journey from struggling to learning to thriving and much, much later, mastering.

“Those advanced degrees didn’t come cheap,” joked Becker who teaches computer science at Antioch High. He was also the MNPS teacher last fall to work with Stanford University in a dual enrollment course which taught students the basics of computer science, along with coding and programming.

Count Becker as another professional who said mastering math is not the top prerequisite for a career in tech. Also, Computer Science Zone.org, which encourages careers in computer science and IT, lists the following attributes:

Self-reliance. Language. Logic.

Attention to detail. Recognition of stupidity. Abstract thinking. Patience.

Strong memory. Scientific method. Communication and empathy.

No wonder Becker wants his students to embrace the journey, full of failures and setbacks.

"We don’t allow ourselves the ability to practice at math before we decide if we’re good or bad at it," he said. "We just say, 'Oh, I can do this, or I can't.' And that leads to … I have top students that take a (computer science) test — part of district testing. They can be scoring in the top of the class and not feel that they are.

"Someone who thinks they're failing the class, but actually has some of the highest scores in the district."

Working in technology takes more than tech. After all, Henry wants his students to "wow" on interviews. That's why the Tech Equity partnership includes workforce readiness training, which helps students acquire soft skills that leave lasting impressions on hiring managers.

Each participating company promises to support courses that prepare students with entry-level software development skills; serve as mentors and school ambassadors; offer job placement opportunities through business programs; and volunteer in-person and virtually.

Kimbrow, a Memphis native who previously completed the technology training, is now matriculating through workforce readiness training. He's expected to wrap up this training around the time the inaugural Tech Equity partnership class graduates in September.

Henry expects the next Tech Equity partnership class of 50-70 students to start in January 2025.

Meanwhile, Kimbrow's career goal is to not just to enter the tech space, but create a running lane for others to rush through.

Gary Estwick is the business, race and culture editor at The Tennessean. Reach him at gestwick@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: CodeX Academy wants to help Nashville residents learn to code