“CODE2040 is a unique and dynamic program that creates access, awareness and opportunities for top minority engineering students to ensure their participation and leadership in the innovation economy.” CODE2040 places students in internships with top tech companies and provides them with mentorship, leadership training, and network development.

In the year 2040, it is predicted that minorities will become the majority in the United States. The goal of CODE2040 is to ensure, by that same year, that Blacks and Latinos are proportionally represented in the leading edge of America’s innovation economy in all areas and specialties. The program hopes to create leading entrepreneurs, respected thought leaders and innovative technologists.

In this blog post, Perry Ogwuche, a 2013 CODE2040 fellow, describes his experience in Silicon Valley and the lessons learned that he plans to share with his classmates and community upon returning to the University of Maryland-Baltimore County this fall.