A trade school for the 21st century is how General Assembly CEO Jake Schwartz describes his company, which will begin offering classes in Chicago this September. In early 2015, they will move into the Fulton Market Innovation District, which will house Google’s new office among manufacturing, food service, and technology firms.[ibimage==37586==Original==none==self==ibimage_align-right]
Developed as a compliment to liberal arts education, General Assembly offers a technology-focused curriculum that includes web development immersion, data science – developed in part by an Amazon executive, and product management.
To keep pace with today’s job market, the curriculum and courses at General Assembly are constantly recalibrated. “We have a 15-person team devoted to updating the curriculum—we try to be incredibly agile, so it changes all the time,” said Schwartz. “We’re always talking to employers about what’s next.”
But the relationship works both ways. Through its enterprise program, General Assembly has trained employees of PepsiCo, American Express and GE in technology trends and best practices.
Since its opening in 2011, more than 100,000 people have participated in General Assembly classes in Sydney, London, and Seattle, among other cities. Chicago, General Assembly’s eleventh campus, will add students—and potential employers. Speaking about this growing network, Schwartz grew more animated. “What we’re trying to build here is a global community…and to see the interesting connections that form between business people, designers, and developers.”[ibimage==37588==Original==none==self==ibimage_align-left]
The alumni network is also attracting the attention of investors: In just the past week, graduates in Los Angeles and London received significant funding for their startups.
Generating investment opportunities is a goal of Chicago’s Fulton Market Innovation District, which will house General Assembly’s campus. From Hubbard Street south to Randolph, and from Ogden east to Halstead, the zone will cater to technology-based companies and include a Planned Manufacturing District.
“The plan’s goals and objectives rely on City of Chicago development tools and regulations to succeed, including economic development subsidies, historic preservation regulations and incentives….” according to the May 2014 draft development plan. Being part of the community and economic development generated through an innovation cluster resonates with General Assembly’s mission and values, according to their CEO. Their Boston campus is also housed within an innovation district.
Who would the company like to see at their Chicago launch? “There are so many great companies in Chicago. Sears is just as important as Groupon to the startup ecosystem; it’s an incredible hub of new innovation activity,” Schwartz offered.[ibimage==37589==Original==none==self==ibimage_align-center]
