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For Barbara Koster, IT isnt only about alignment and meeting business goals.
The global CIO of Prudential Financial, a $37 billion financial services firm, feels a palpable responsibility to help a new generation of IT professionals into the fray, particularly at a time when enrollment in technological fields of study are declining.
As part of a partnership with Workforce Outsource Services, a New York City-based non-profit thats helping to train and employ disadvantaged inner-city students in tech-related fields, Kosters IT team has taken on five interns, giving them the real-world experience theyll need to prepare for careers in IT.
Key to that experience, Koster says, is mentoring—creating special relationships, imparting words of wisdom and providing encouragement to rising technology leaders.
Koster recently chatted with Senior Reporter Debra DAgostino about her approach as a mentor; her edited comments follow.
Why did you decide to work with Workforce Outsource Services?
My involvement in WOS goes back to the fact that we dont have a large number of people going into technology careers today. At some point, you have to have a pipeline for that future.
So how do we find ways to fill those jobs? Its through programs like these. I am hoping that it does change the tide and helps more people go into technology.