On January 4, 2024, Milestone Community Development held a graduation ceremony at Norway House in South Minneapolis, celebrating the achievements of approximately two dozen students who completed courses in Information Technology and Data Analytics.
These intensive eight-week courses are designed to equip students with essential skills for the tech industry, preparing them for various career opportunities. “These graduates are now ready to enter the fast-growing tech job market,” said instructor Colin Miller.
The event brought together community leaders, elected officials, parents, and instructors to honor the hard work and dedication of the graduates. Mohamed Amin Kahin, the Executive Director of Milestone Community Development, expressed pride in the students, stating, “Tonight, we are celebrating the graduation of 20 young students. This program helps them prepare for jobs in the technology world.”
Mohamed emphasized the importance of continuous learning, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence. He encouraged the graduates to keep expanding their knowledge, saying, “Learning is a lifelong process, so continue gaining more skills. The world needs more young people with talent, and the training and the certificate you received tonight will open more doors for you.”
The program has received state funding and aims to create opportunities for underserved youth, particularly those from minority and low-income backgrounds. Amin pointed out that many students would not have access to this type of training without state support, adding, “This program is essential for enhancing the lives of young people in our community.”
Colin Miller also noted the high demand for IT support and data analytics skills, stating, “The sky is the limit for these graduates. They can pursue careers in IT support, data science, and more, as companies are actively seeking individuals with these skills.”
Community leader Suldan Badde expressed his excitement about the education provided to the youth, thanking Mohamed Amin for his efforts. He encouraged other organizations to create similar programs, saying, “First of all, I want to thank Mohamed Amin for doing this program to help the youth.”
Representative Hodan Hassan also addressed the ceremony, highlighting the program’s significance. She stated, “Tonight, we celebrate the graduation of more than 20 young students from a technology program. This program helps them prepare for jobs in the technology world.” She urged graduates to embrace lifelong learning, asserting, “The world needs more young people with talent, and the training and the certificate you got tonight will open more doors for you.”
The graduation ceremony showcased Milestone Community Development’s impact in uplifting young adults, having successfully graduated 83 students since its inception and planning to increase enrollment significantly. The goal is to equip 500 students for careers in technology in the coming years.
Milestone Community Development collaborated with Ramsey County and North Central University, both of which played pivotal roles in the training program’s success. Their partnership has been instrumental in providing the resources and support necessary to empower students and enhance the quality of education offered.
Among the graduates, Sumeya Abdirahman expressed her enthusiasm for the program and the opportunities ahead. “My experience was great,” she said. “I learned a lot and realized there are more opportunities out there than I initially thought.” She hopes to work for large tech companies and expand her knowledge in data analytics. Sumeya believes that the education she received will lead to greater opportunities for her, stating, “It was great learning about computers and discovering new things. I encourage other youth like me to step out of their comfort zones and learn new skills.”
Ismail Ahmed Abdulqadir, another graduate of the eight-week IT course, shared his feelings about the program: “I learned a lot, and I am feeling great.” He told Somali Media of Minnesota. He added that he plans to continue his education and seek employment, saying, “InshaAllah (God willing), I will keep learning, and one day I will get a job.”
All students interviewed by Somali Media MN expressed their excitement and eagerness to further their education to unlock more opportunities in the tech industry.
