The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ is playing a key role in preparing local students for careers in Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s growing technology sector. Through Good Jobs Â鶹´«Ã½, a statewide workforce development initiative supported by UH, students gained hands-on experience in user interface (UI), user experience (UX) and graphic design, thanks to a partnership with local creative agency Co. and Zippy¡¯s.
With few tech firms based in the islands, many aspiring designers are forced to move to the continental U.S. to gain entry-level experience. Piʻikū Co. aims to reverse this trend by equipping kama?¨¡ina with practical skills tailored to the needs of local companies. Rather than outsourcing its design work, Zippy¡¯s partnered with Piʻikū Co. to bring Â鶹´«Ã½ students in-house to support its digital and signage projects, giving students real-world exposure while strengthening ±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±¡¯²õ tech pipeline.
Michelle Tran, a local graduate of Kailua High School, struggled to find tech work after returning to Oʻahu from Claremont, California. That changed when she completed an eight-week internship through Piʻikū Co. She now works as a full-time UI/UX designer on Oʻahu.
“The Piʻikū internship played a very important role in my UX journey,” said Tran. “It was my first time working directly with a client, and I learned so much about client management.”
Programs like these directly support the UH System Â鶹´«Ã½, which prioritizes workforce development and aims to reduce brain drain by keeping talent in the islands.