An Interview with Shelley Stern, Central Region Citizenship Lead, Microsoft

Microsoft believes that future economic success will be measured in technological innovation, which is why the software giant has created grassroots level programs to educate youth about the opportunities and possibilities that come with a technology-based career.

“We believe that the economic future depends on innovation,” said Shelley Stern, Central Region Citizenship Lead for Microsoft, who has her main office in Chicago. “We need to innovate better and faster. We see innovation as a collaborative effort for business, government and communities to transform Chicago into something globally recognized.”

Microsoft has taken the initiative in this process by targeting major cities like Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C. and Chicago, and installing programs that engage the public in an effort to help bridge the digital divide and stimulate interest in technology-related careers.

“You need to have the fundamental digital literacy capabilities,” she said. “You need to know how to use a P.C. and you need to know how to use the various applications, but you don’t learn Word just to learn Word. You learn Word so you can write your resume and you learn how to search the Internet so you can get it out there and figure out where the job opportunities are.”

To help reach out to local populations here in Chicago, Microsoft is partnering with institutions like the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, the University of Illinois at Champagne, UIC, Northwestern University, the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Chicago Urban League, and Chicago Public Schools.

“We care about making the local economies very vibrant places,” said Stern. “The bottom line is that technology is so integral to everybody’s livelihood, everybody’s economic independence, that we believe it’s our responsibility to invest in our communities and to help people realize their potential.

“Microsoft can accomplish this by providing the roadmap with digital literacy programs and sharing intellectual property. These pathways to innovation enable students and schools, and businesses to collaborate, grow and develop new programs, sciences, and entrepreneurial businesses.”

In Chicago, Microsoft has also worked with the Chicagoland Chamber as Founding Sponsor of the Innovate NOW! Summit. This year’s summit was held on October 25. The event is part of Innovation Week, which began on October 21, and brought together innovation experts, business executives, government leaders, and academics to address the importance of innovation and how it will play a key role in accelerating Chicago’s economic future.