“We are short on labor… needs for cyber, coding, programming — and financial/program management.”
— Jamie Dimon, CEO, JPMorgan Chase
From “college then skills” to “skills before college”
College matters—but it’s no longer the first time kids should encounter the tools that shape their future. When business leaders say the gap is cyber, coding, and project leadership, that’s a signal to start earlier, when curiosity and confidence can grow without the pressure of grades or admissions.
“Business, education and government working together is essential to help people develop the skills and credentials needed for high‑demand, well‑paying jobs.”
Why earlier works
- Confidence compounds: Younger students see coding as play—projects feel achievable, not intimidating.
- Real‑world mindset: Kids learn to plan, build, and present—mirroring how teams ship software.
- AI‑ready thinking: Even with AI tools, kids still need to design, debug, and decide. Coding builds the mental models behind effective AI use.
But isn’t AI writing the code?
AI can generate code—but kids still need to understand what to ask for, how to reason about outputs, and how to fix what’s broken. Learning to code remains the best path to strong problem‑solving, ethical decision‑making, and technical literacy in an AI world.
What this looks like at Hackingtons
- Cybersecurity Explorer: password labs, phishing sims, safe‑browsing challenges.
- Python & JavaScript: apps, automation, and interactive web projects.
- Unity & Roblox: game development with real publishing goals.
- Project Leader mini‑badge: every track includes planning → building → presenting.
How parents can start (this week)
- Ask your child what they want to make—a game, a website, or a mod. Tie learning to a project they care about.
- Give them a space to show progress—a quick demo after dinner, a screenshot for grandparents, a short presentation at the end of the month.
- Enroll in a structured, mentor‑led class that blends coding with project skills. That’s our specialty.
Ages 8–16 · Flexible schedules · Bay Area & Online