Abstract
The Industry Connect Initiative (ICI) of the Department of Computer Science at Southeastern Louisiana University aims to prepare undergraduate students for successful careers by utilizing a four-pronged approach which includes an Industry Advisory Board, Real-World-Ready Curriculum, the Distinguished Lecturer Series and Internships. Additional assistance is provided through the Workforce Talent Initiative (WTI) position of Technology Career Manager (TCM), who plays a crucial role in aiding students in securing internships and career placement opportunities. This preliminary report gives an overview of the WTI and discusses the relationship of Career Services and the new Technical Career Manager (TCM) to the fourth-prong, Internships, and the ICI as a whole. Preliminary results from informal observations and secondary data from LinkedIn are presented. Future work with detailed results will commence upon IRB approval.