This year we developed muscles and skills we didn’t have before, including some we didn’t know we needed. And despite 2020’s distractions, we were also able to lay the groundwork for new opportunities. Now it’s time to look ahead to what is in store for 2021.

Perhaps the most important skill we developed that will serve us well into 2021 and beyond was learning how to effectively teach a synchronous online class. While we can’t wait to return to in-person classes, the option of holding remote classes will help us better serve those living in rural Tennessee, and possibly even beyond Tennessee. Our focus remains on Middle Tennessee, but now not everyone will need to live in the greater Nashville area to attend NSS. 

THE REAL POSSIBILITY TO RETURN TO IN-PERSON

In hopes we are not tempting fate in saying so, it’s reasonable to think we will see classes back in person before the end of 2021 because of the progress we’re seeing with the COVID-19 vaccines. 

We will continue to keep open communication with our students and community on updates regarding our return date. We just have to wait a little while longer before we can finalize our plans to return to in-person classes, but we are hopeful nonetheless. 

NEW PROGRAMS COME TO FRUITION

Whether inspired by or in reaction to COVID-19 and 2020 as a whole, NSS has created and launched new programs that we will be able to see come to fruition in Q1 of 2021! 

For example, we announced our new Fellowship Program in Q4 of 2020. Since then, we’ve had several conversations with employers and expect to place our first graduates in Q1, 2021. With the growth of our career development team, we’re able to offer more support to our growing number of students and graduates looking for their first job in tech.  We’ll also be able to explore how to help our graduates find remote opportunities that allow them to still live in Nashville.

We’re also expanding our continuing education program to help more graduates and all developers and data analysts gain specialized skills that will help them advance their careers. Despite 2020 delaying our continuing education plans to 2021, we were able to launch our new Mastering SQL for Developers class and A/B Testing workshop for our Seekers. Both of these classes will be available to the public in 2021. In fact, you can apply to Mastering SQL for Developers now!  

While no one wants to repeat the circumstances that turned 2020 upside down, we’re excited about the opportunities it has created for 2021. We can’t wait to stretch our new muscles and introduce even more adults to tech careers in Middle Tennessee.