Student Spotlight—Meet Jamauri Bynum-Bridgewater

When Jamauri Bynum-Bridgewater began his studies at Grambling State University in 2020, the world was grappling with the complexities of a global pandemic. For a young person embarking on a four-year degree—an achievement attained by fewer than 25% of young Americans, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data—this presented a formidable challenge. Amid the pandemic, companies were compelled to adapt to social distancing and emerging technologies that were reshaping the future of work.

The class of 2020, navigating their university years during this turbulent period, faced not only the pandemic’s challenges but also a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Artificial Intelligence (AI) became integral to daily life, with significant implications for the workforce. According to a recent IBM Institute for Business Value (IBM IBV) Survey, 80% of executives believe generative AI will transform employee roles and skills.

Additionally, the World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts that emerging technologies will create 97 million new job roles, underscoring the need for adaptability in today’s job market.

Jamauri recognized that to thrive in such an environment, he needed to stay ahead of the curve. “AI is critical for students to embrace because this is where technology is heading in the near future. Regardless of your job or major, AI will play a significant role if you aren’t actively keeping up to date. Leveraging AI correctly can greatly benefit those who use it to its fullest potential”, he reflects.

Universities tasked with preparing the next generation of workers have varied needs, and IBM is partnering with some to offer learning content that will both equip students and teachers for the future and help close the global AI skills gap. Through IBM SkillsBuild, the company provides free educational courses in various domains, including AI, at no additional cost for the learner.

Jamauri Bynum-Bridgewater is one of the students who has benefited from this initiative. “IBM SkillsBuild can help students connect to new job opportunities because you’re learning things that may not be included in your school curriculum. You can use that knowledge to find your niche and explore areas related to what you’ve worked on in SkillsBuild to find a job”, Jamauri reflects. He adds, “The program’s emphasis on hands-on work is what really sets it apart from other free educational courses”.

Jamauri took full advantage of the free resources available, earning seven different badges in areas such as AI Fundamentals, AI Applications, and Machine Learning Methods. To those considering IBM SkillsBuild, he offers this advice: “Take your time and take notes; this program is immensely beneficial and enhances your resume, but its true value lies in applying what you’ve learned”.

Jamauri also collaborated with fellow students to host a “Tech Talk” focusing on Introduction to “Artificial Intelligence”. During the session, he introduced key AI concepts and tools, highlighting how Grambling State University students could earn the foundational AI badge by enrolling in the “Getting Started with Enterprise AI” course through IBM SkillsBuild.

Jamauri emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Being an ambassador for IBM taught me the importance of educating those around you. Many students didn’t take these opportunities because they thought they wouldn’t apply unless they were majoring in a STEM degree”. Through events like this, Jamauri strives to empower his peers to recognize the value of AI education, no matter their major.

Immediately after his graduation, he secured a full-time position at a Fortune 500 company. According to him, recruiters were notably impressed by his AI credentials. “Having IBM SkillsBuild badges and certificates show employers that you are actively keeping up with industry trends and constantly evolving your knowledge. I recently received a full-time offer from an insurance company, and one of the things I discussed were my IBM badges. They were extremely impressed,” he explains.