New York, NY, February 4, 2026 – The Nomad Futurist Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation of technology leaders, is proud to announce its partnership with the New York City Department of Education’s Workplace Challenge Virtual Short Program, a career preparation initiative designed to connect students with real-world professional experiences.
The Workplace Challenge engages small groups of students, typically four to six per team, in tackling authentic business problems presented by employers. Through this hands-on, project-based learning approach, students gain exposure to career pathways, collaborative workplace skills, and practical problem-solving experience.
“The Workplace Challenge continues to be a powerful way for NYC students to connect classroom learning with real-world experience,” said Jocelyn Oviedo, Assistant Principal of Sciences and Assessments at Long Island City High School. “Partnerships like this one with Nomad Futurist ensure our students are prepared for the careers of tomorrow and can envision themselves thriving in the tech industry.”
As part of this partnership, Nomad Futurist will participate in the IT Track, supporting the Software Development challenge titled “My First App.” In this track, students will work on a software development project pre-designed by Grant Associates, aligning with their academic and career interests. The program introduces foundational concepts in application development while emphasizing teamwork, creativity, and real-world relevance.
The six-week virtual program is led by Nomad Futurist Student Advocate and Senior at Stevens Institute of Technology, Harris Hamid, who is guiding students from Long Island City High School through the challenge:
“It’s inspiring to watch students take an idea from concept to code,” said Hamid. “They’re not just learning software development; they’re gaining confidence, teamwork skills, and a real sense of what a career in technology can look like.”
Under his mentorship, students will collaborate, design, and develop their first application while gaining insight into careers in software development and the broader technology industry.
“We’re thrilled to partner with NYC DOE on this program,” said Nabeel Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer of Nomad Futurist Foundation. “Giving students hands-on experience in building technology solutions empowers them to see themselves as creators, problem-solvers, and innovators. This is exactly the kind of early exposure that can change a student’s career trajectory.”
The collaboration between Nomad Futurist and NYC DOE ensures that students not only gain technical skills but also build confidence, teamwork, and a clearer vision for their future careers.
For more information about Nomad Futurist and its educational initiatives, visit www.nomadfuturist.org.
About The New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE)
The New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) is the largest public school system in the United States, serving over 1 million students across more than 1,800 schools. Committed to equity and excellence, the NYC DOE provides rigorous academic programs, innovative initiatives, and comprehensive support to help every student succeed. The department partners with families, communities, and organizations to prepare students for college, careers, and lifelong learning.
About Nomad Futurist
The Nomad Futurist Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to demystify the world of digital infrastructure and the related technologies that impact every aspect of our daily lives. Our primary focus is to empower and inspire younger generations through exposure to the underlying technologies that power our digital world and cultivate the next generation of industry leaders. Through the contributions of our supporters, we are launching global programs in partnership with a range of education providers, NGOs and other nonprofit organizations committed to educating children in underprivileged communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and opening up opportunities for growth and new career paths.
To learn more about the Nomad Futurist Foundation, please click here.
Media Contact for NYC DOE
Jocelyn Oviedo
Assistant Principal of Sciences and Assessments & FRNYC SLC Supervisor
Long Island City High School (30Q450)
Email: joviedo2@schools.nyc.gov(
Tel: (718) 545-7095 ext.6401
Media Contact for Nomad Futurist
Julia Terlizzi
Marketing & Program Director
Email: jt@nomadfuturist.org
