 Have you ever been interested in learning more about technology? Geek Squad Summer Academy gives you the perfect opportunity to do so. This “inexpensive-to-free” Academy was created with a goal to encourage women to enter the industry of technology, but now it caters to both boys and girls. Geek Squad Summer Academy permits you to show the knowledge you have and then gain some. At this fun and innovating academy, kids will be able to learn how technology works and will be given the opportunity to show their creative side. Attending this academy can permit many advantages in the future for young kids. Moria Hardek is one of the leaders of the Geek Squad Summer Academy and we recently had the opportunity to talk to her about the Academy.
T.S.: First, can you tell our readers a little about Geek Squad and the Summer Academy?
Moira: Geek Squad Summer Academy is a program designed to inspire a younger generation to get involved firsthand with technology. We believe in “making lives easier though the use of technology”. Geek Squad Summer Academy is working to “demystify” technology for students through interactive classes and activities. This program not only helps students navigate our increasingly “techie” world, but also opens up the possibility of an exciting future in the technology field. We work closely with local organizations to bring a one of a kind experience to our participants. Each Summer Academy is uniquely designed and customized for the community in which they are held. This program also allows our employees to become more involved in the communities in which they live and serve. Through this innovative summer experience, students will know more about technology in their home and their world, will develop long-lasting friendships with other students and Geek Squad Agents, and be better prepared for the ever-changing technological world in which we live.
 T.S.: How did you get started with the Geek Squad Summer Academy?
Moira: I started Geek Squad Summer Academy back in 2006. That was when the idea began to take shape and I started recruiting Geek Squad Agents to get involved in help out. It was a very proud moment when the program came to life in the summer of 2007. I would have loved to participate in a program like this when I was a kid, so it was a great feeling to be able to put this together for the next generation.
T.S.: How has it been traveling the country to do these programs?
Moira: Traveling the country with Geek Squad Summer Academy has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Meeting all the Geek Squad Agents from around the country, watching the all the Junior Agents getting so excited to learn about and play with technology, meeting all the parents, working with the amazing non-profit partners…there are no words to describe it. It was life changing. It only inspired me to work harder to continue to grow the program and bring this amazing experience to as many people as possible. I learned a lot about each city and area of the country that we traveled to and had a very unique experience being so immersed in the local communities. I met so many amazing people. How can your life ever be the same after that?
T.S.: Were there any surprises along the way? What were the biggest challenges?
Moira: There were challenges all along the way. Most of them were operational. There were unique challenges at every location. My team and I had to learn to be very dynamic and adjust and change things on the fly and in the moment. Each facility and community was so unique and different and we had to adapt the program for each area. That was a huge challenge but very worthwhile and is what made the program such a success in each community. Everywhere we went I was constantly amazed by people’s passion and especially by how the Junior Agents connected with the Geek Squad Agents. We saw that happen at each Summer Academy and yet I was always surprised.
T.S.: Why do you think girls traditionally haven't been as involved in technology as boys?
Moira: It's true, that girls traditionally have not been as involved in technology as boys, and that was always a mystery to me—being a girl who’s very interested in technology. Technology as a field can only benefit from increased involvement of women. Many people have misconceptions about the “technology field” which is why we designed this program to “demystify” technology and let the kids know that it’s for everyone, not just the boys. I noticed that so many girls never even considered the technology field, they never even looked into it, and that had to change. It’s not easy to break into a male-dominated field but I believe that now is the time to change that.
T.S.: What do you think media outlets, like Teen Scene, can do to further encourage girls to get involved?
Moira: The media is very important to us achieving our goal of bringing more girls into technology. We need to get the word out that things are changing and that anyone can be a part of it. I know that in my career, having female mentors and role models has made a big difference. It was important for me to know that I wasn’t alone and to have someone to identify with. And the image of the Geek Squad has made a lot of this possible. Nowadays its cool to be “techie” or a “geek”. The pop culture appeal of the Geek Squad brand and its relatability makes tech knowledge much more appealing and attainable than ever before. And you have to remember, “the geek shall inherit the Earth”.
T.S.: How can girls participate in the Summer Academy in 2009?
Moira: People can learn more about Geek Squad Summer Academy by visiting our website, www.GeekSquad.com/SummerAcademy. We are currently in the planning and development stage for Geek Squad Summer Academy 2009. Keep checking the website for updated 2009 locations and registration, and for some online learning opportunities as well.
T.S.: Anything else you'd like to tell our readers?
Moira: I’ve worked in the technology field for just over 11 years and for the majority of that time I never worked with another woman. I look around now, and look back on my Summer Academy experiences to date, and I can tell you that it’s changing. Women are starting to head back into technology and the impact of that is going to be something beyond our wildest dreams. We are going to change the world. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that! Technology is nothing to fear. It’s something to be embraced. We can make our lives easier through the use of technology. And whether or not you can attend a Summer Academy there are programs throughout the country that share our mission and our passion. If you’d like to know more about Summer Academy or would like some help finding a technology program in your area, please feel free to contact us at
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The Geek Squad Summer Academy definitely gives a different twist on the typical summer camp. While it isn’t located everywhere, The Geek Squad hopes to expand in more schools and influence young women to enter the world of technology.
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... i am very intrested in the technology feild
