Shape the future. Become an AI changemaker.
Opportunities to learn and lead
At SureStart, our goal is to provide high-school and college students with the skills to be an AI builder and changemaker. We are specifically committed to training and mentoring students from communities traditionally underrepresented in AI.
The heart of the program involves trainees learning hands on with sustained support from “proximate mentors.” Mentors are graduate students who excel at machine learning and AI skills, and can relate to the trainees’ educational journeys and their lived experiences.
Beginning July 1st 2024, Surestart will once again be hosting the MIT FutureMakers Create-a-thon, a 6-week virtual program hosted in collaboration with MIT RAISE. The program will bring together students from across the world to create a deliberately diverse group of learners, who are developing applied technical skills related to AI, machine learning, and related technologies such as computer vision, along with "power" skills critical for career success through a virtual program led by experienced technical mentors and coaches. There are multiple program tracks, offering opportunities for middle school, high school and undergraduate students to join — apply today!
For Trainees: About the SureStart Program
Phase one: Guided self-paced learning
In the first phase, trainees gain an understanding of machine learning concepts, become familiar with machine learning frameworks and libraries, and learn how to train machine learning models through a curated, self-paced curriculum, accessed virtually. They are supported with one-on-one and group mentoring from talented mentors who share knowledge, and provide accountability and encouragement. Check out the skills you’ll learn here.
Phase two: The AI Makeathon
In the second phase, it’s time to put those skills to work in a fun, exciting, and creative way! Working in small teams, trainees build AI-based solutions for real-world problems in a Makeathon that caps off the program. From brainstorm to completion, trainees employ an entrepreneurial process to develop their project, with support from their mentors. Check out a previous Makeathon to see the incredible projects past trainees have developed.
And there’s more…
Throughout the program, students will also have the opportunity to attend technical talks, participate in career skill-building seminars, and engage in formal and informal networking with peers and industry professionals.
Start your journey to a successful career in AI with sustained support from a network of qualified mentors, engaged peers, and invested industry experts!
Application window for our Summer 2024 program is now open!
Trainee eligibility criteria:
Applicants must be currently enrolled middle school, high-school seniors or undergraduate students.
Prior programming experience preferred but not required.
Applicants must be able to commit to 3-4 hours per day during the program (July 1st through August 9th).
For Mentors: How you can change the future of AI
Do you remember the person who made you realize your true potential? Or a time when you needed guidance and didn’t know where to turn?
If you said yes to the above, and you are a graduate student with coding and machine learning skills, SureStart is giving you the chance to pay it forward, or perhaps the opportunity to be the mentor you never had.
Benefits of being a mentor
In less than 10 hours a week, gain experience that will boost your career and enrich your life. And get paid to do it!
Get hands-on management experience
Strengthen your leadership skills
Network with industry professionals
Deepen your technical abilities (look up “protege effect!”)
Make life-long connections across the globe
Inspire the next generation of AI minds
What’s expected of a mentor?
As a SureStart Mentor, your main responsibility will be to train, support and encourage a small group of four to five students as they develop machine learning skills through the program, and apply those skills to build an AI-based product. Your day-to-day responsibilities will be to interact with your group of trainees through regular meetings, to keep them accountable for finishing the prior day's tasks, and to guide them as they run into challenges by pointing them to resources, showing them how to debug code, or by giving them helpful hints to discover the answer on their own.
How we support you
This is a paid position where you’ll receive ongoing support from the SureStart Program Manager and Head Mentor. You’ll have the chance to review the curriculum before the Program kicks off, and you’ll also receive expert training on how to manage and mentor effectively. You’ll also get the chance to attend career development seminars and talks from industry experts. It will be exciting, challenging, and incredibly rewarding work!
Share with your friends on social
Let’s build an equitable world together!