A 5x Investment in our Future: My #HourOfCode 2019 Pledge

Anything is possible with an #HourOfCode.

As Accenture’s “coder in chief,” I firmly believe this, which is why I’m pledging not just one but five volunteer hours helping kids around the globe learn to code. 

More on the 5x in a minute, but first some context: I believe anything is possible through coding because I’ve seen how technology and Computer Science for Good are improving the world every day.

Thanks to coding, people are solving critical challenges facing society and our planet. They’re imagining, for example, solutions to address hunger using artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things. They’re also working to empower students to explore jobs of the future with virtual reality (VR), they’re innovating to protect biodiversity with blockchain and they’re using mobile to provide healthcare in hard-to-reach regions.

Yet there’s so much more to be done.

Which is why I’m urging YOU to pledge your hour now (or better yet meet my 5x challenge) and share your support at #HourOfCode and #MakeAGreaterGood.

The why behind my 5x

I love how kids believe anything is possible. They’ve got natural-born curiosity and unlimited enthusiasm, which the world needs.

By pledging five hours of volunteer time teaching students to code, I’m helping them build the digital skills and tools they need to create solutions the world seeks. This is something I can do as I travel to meet with clients and Accenture people.

The other reason I’m increasing my commitment? This is Accenture’s fifth year partnering with Code.org to support Hour of Code, which takes place December 9 through 15, during Computer Science Education Week. It’s the largest globally coordinated learning event in history with a mission to empower every student to succeed in the digital world.

Last year, Accenture people helped approximately 100,000 kids at Hour of Code events at local schools and other venues in their community. This is an incredible accomplishment, and I couldn’t be prouder. But with nearly 500,000 employees, I know we can do even more this year to inspire the future of countless students and encourage them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Our Accenture people have rallied by organizing an unprecedented number of #Hour of Code events around the world. You can watch the story unfold and see photos by following #AccentureMoments.

In this spirit, I’ve also challenged Accenture leaders to participate in Hour of Code and share their love of “all things technology.” We’ve also expanded the impact even wider by inviting Accenture’s clients, alumni and recruits to volunteer for Hour of Code as well.

Solving an educational need

Every single hour counts because the need for Computer Science education is huge: There are more than 500,000 open computing jobs in the US alone, but last year only 61,642 computer science students graduated into the workforce.[1]

Accenture is dedicated to improving the technology skills of people in our communities. We believe it’s critical for today’s youth, and frankly all people, to have a foundational understanding of what it means to code. That’s why Hour of Code is now part of a larger company-wide effort to build our own people’s tech skills.

Every year, Accenture people who participate in Hour of Code consistently say it’s about much more than just teaching students how to code. It’s about taking one hour out of their day to open a kid’s eyes to new possibilities.

Coding skills are essential for applying Computer Science for Good and creating solutions our society and planet needs. Just one hour of involvement—or 5x if you’re up to my challenge—will inspire the next generation to improve the world.

Given the urgency, I’ve launched a social challenge and shared it with Accenture CEO, Julie Sweet and Gene Reznik, Chief Strategy Officer:

Kids believe anything is possible and so do I. This #HourOfCode, I pledge to #MakeAGreaterGood by volunteering five hours of my time to teach kids to code. Julie Sweet and Gene Reznik what will you do?

I’m asking Julie and Gene to share their personal pledge to two people in their network who will forward it and so on. Just think how fast the challenge will multiply!

How will you pledge to #MakeAGreaterGood? Whether you commit one hour or more to teaching coding to kids, sign up for another volunteer opportunity that is meaningful to you, or simply help a neighbor or friend in need, it all adds up to making anything possible.

[1] Sources: The Conference Board and National Center for Education Statistics