Staff Reports | Happenings & Events
Now in its seventh year, the highly popular Girls Get IT conference has been relaunched as Go Get IT, actively encouraging all junior high and high school students to explore career opportunities in information technology.
While the event has always been open to any interested student, the reimagined event aims to attract a wider array of students passionate about a future in technology, according to a press release.
The expanded event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14, at Scottsdale Community College, with increased capacity to accommodate approximately 275 attendees, the release states.
Recognizing the need for more IT professionals, Go Get IT offers fun, interactive and engaging workshops led by Maricopa Community Colleges’ instructors, as well as networking sessions with professionals already working in the field.
Students explore cutting-edge technologies and learn about the wide range of educational pathways and rewarding careers in IT fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, software development, and web design. Participants have hands-on experience with industry-relevant tools and skills, including streaming and event production using open broadcaster software, animation with Blender 3D models, and understanding the impact and implications of artificial intelligence.
New Go Get IT Scholarship
The Go Get IT event is now offering the GGIT Scholarship, generously supported by event sponsors. Past attendees (2020-2024) who plan to enroll full-time at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Mesa Community College, Rio Salado College, or Scottsdale Community College for the Fall 2025 semester, pursuing a certificate or degree within the Computer Information Technology Field of Interest, are encouraged to apply.
The $1,000 scholarship can be used for tuition, fees, textbooks, and other educational expenses. Scholarship applications are open now through Friday, May 23, 2025. For full eligibility criteria and to apply, visit bit.ly/ggit-application.
“Every year, this event grows in size and impact,” said Diane M. Meza, Director of the Maricopa IT Institute (MITI). “Go Get IT showcases the exciting opportunities in IT for all students, building on our tradition of inclusion. Our goal is to encourage all junior high and high school students to take the next steps toward rewarding educational journeys and fulfilling careers in technology.”
More than 50 professional IT mentors – including software engineers, web designers, developers, data analysts, and cybersecurity experts – will participate, offering valuable insights from their experiences and guidance to students considering a career in IT. The event will continue its commitment to community-building conversations to strengthen the talent pipeline long-term.
“This program has made a significant impact on countless students by introducing the art of the possible,” said Katy Campanini, technical director, staff operations for property & casualty technology at Nationwide. “I’m proud to have participated in this initiative and to have seen Nationwide’s sponsorship over the years. The experience middle school and high school students receive by being on a college campus, interacting with technology leaders, and seeing what is possible is valuable and an inspiring part of the program.”
Go Get IT is produced by MITI (Maricopa IT Institute), a collaborative initiative among Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Mesa Community College, Rio Salado College, and Scottsdale Community College. The institute provides career readiness training for emerging IT fields such as cloud computing, big data, and mobile technology.
