WORK, EDUCATION, AND LABOR - Evaluation of BreakThrough Tech’s AI Studio and Sprinternship Programs - Research Report - May 2026

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Bintang

Evaluation of BreakThrough Tech’s AI Studio and Sprinternship programs examines how experiential, project-based learning engages employers and expands representation in tech. The mixed-methods study centers on employer engagement and fellows’ outcomes, including employer motivations, program design factors, fellows’ sense of belonging, confidence in career readiness, and attainment of internships, jobs, and earnings. Findings highlight employer participation for diverse talent pipelines, high employer satisfaction, increased belonging and confidence among fellows, and internship placement as a key outcome with varied patterns across demographics.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages40

Reading Time1 h 41 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Evaluation of BreakThrough Tech’s AI Studio and Sprinternship Programs

Overview of Programs

Research Questions and Data Sources

Employer Motivations and Satisfaction

Fellows’ Belonging and Career Readiness

Internship, Job, and Earning Outcomes

Conclusion and Recommendations

Notes

References

About the Authors

WORK, EDUCATION, AND LABOR Evaluation of Break Through Tech’s AI Studio and Sprinternship Programs How Do Experiential Learning Tech Programs Engage Employers and Expand Representation in the Tech Field? Karen Gardiner Nathan Sick Julia Payne Hailey D’Elia RESEARCH REPORT May 2026 ABOUT THE URBAN INSTITUTE The Urban Institute is a nonprofit research organization founded on one simple idea: To improve lives and strengthen communities, we need practices and policies that work. For more than 50 years, that has been our charge. By equipping changemakers with evidence and solutions, together we can create a future where every person and community has the opportunity and power to thrive. Copyright © May 2026. Urban Institute. Permission is granted for reproduction of this file, with attribution to the Urban Institute. Contents Acknowledgments iv Executive Summary v Evaluation of BreakThrough Tech’sAI Studio and Sprinternship Programs vi Overview of Programs 1 Research Questions and Data Sources 3 What Are Employer Motivations for Participating? What Program Design Factors Contribute to Their Satisfaction and Influence Their Decision to Return? 3 How Do BreakThrough Tech Programs Affect Fellows’ Feelings of Belonging in Tech and Confidence in their Career Readiness? What Program Features Affected Their Experiences? 9 How Do Break Through Tech Programs Affect Fellows’Attainment of Internships, Jobs, and Earning Potential—and How Do Those Outcomes Vary by Fellow/Host Characteristics? 18 Conclusion and Recommendations 28 Notes 29 References 30 About the Authors 32 Statement of Independence 33 Acknowledgments This report was funded by the Strada Education Foundation, via Cornell University. We are grateful to them and to all our funders, who make it possible for Urban to advance its mission. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders. Funders do not determine research findings or the insights and recommendations of Urban experts. Further information on the Urban Institute’s funding principles is [available at](available at urban.org/fundingprinciples)[ ](available at urban.org/fundingprinciples)[urban.org/fundingprinciples](available at urban.org/fundingprinciples). We would like to acknowledge and thank several people who were instrumental to this work. At BreakThrough Tech, Debra Marcus oversaw the project and provided helpful guidance and review of the evaluation plan, early analyses, and multiple drafts of the report. Aderinsola Gilbert was instrumental in helping us navigate Break Through Tech’s administrative data. At Urban, Ryan Kelsey and Daniel Kuehn reviewed the report and provided helpful comments. Lexi Mills edited the report. Executive Summary Break Through Tech offers undergraduate students technical skills training, professional readiness support, and real-world project experiences to help them attain in-college paid internships and post-college tech jobs. Program leadership commissioned a mixed methods evaluation of BreakThrough Tech’s two experiential, project-based learning programs: AI Studio, a one-semester, part-time, virtual program and Sprinternship, a three-week, full-time, hybrid program. The evaluation focused on employer engagement and participants’ (known as fellows) outcomes. Key Findings: ◼ Employers participate in AI Studio and Sprinternship to build diverse talent pipelines and develop staff leadership; most reported real-world use for fellows’ projects. ◼ Employers rated their experiences with AI Studio and Sprinternship fellows highly and would recommend fellows for internships and permanent positions. ◼ Fellows in both programs reported an increased sense of belonging in tech (29 percent and 30 percent, for AI Studio and Sprinternships, respectively), confidence in their skills (13 percent and 15 percent), and desire to pursue a tech career (2 perc

FAQs

What are the AI Studio and Sprinternship programs?

AI Studio is a one-semester, part-time, virtual program, while Sprinternship is a three-week, full-time, hybrid program for undergraduate participants.

How were employers and fellows evaluated in this research report?

The study uses a mixed methods evaluation focused on employer engagement and fellows’ outcomes, including motivations, satisfaction, belonging, confidence in career readiness, and employment-related results.

What key outcomes did fellows report across both programs?

Fellows reported increased sense of belonging in tech and gains in confidence in their skills, alongside differences in desire to pursue a tech career across the two programs.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Bintang