Q2, a Northwest Austin–based banking technology company, is working with officials from Austin ISD and the Austin Area Urban League to engage students in pursuing software development careers.

Adam Anderson, Q2's executive vice president and chief technology officer, said partnerships were first cultivated when AISD and AAUL officials and students were invited to attend Q2's recruiting event in July. AAUL's mission is to help African Americans and other underserved populations achieve social and economic equality, including through educational improvements, according to its website.

"I've talked to them about ways Q2 can help those two organizations and their missions," Anderson said. "We really believe in their missions around Austin and local community."

Q2 has hosted recruiting events twice a year since 2012. At July's event, Anderson said AISD students were very engaged and asked many questions about careers in software development.

The next step is exploring ways of furthering science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, education at AISD and AAUL, Anderson said. Details are still being worked out with AISD, but a partnership could involve Q2 employees mentoring high school students and helping them understand the job responsibilities and requirements of software developers, he said.

"Since [July] I have met with AISD high school principals to discuss software engineering and Q2's approach," he said. "We've been in touch to figure out how to take it to the school level for activities and partnerships, how to build programs, or how Q2 can help with AISD's programs."

Q2 recently launched a boot camp called Project R. After the company's recruiting events, staffers select about 20 to 25 attendees to interview for the boot camp program. The candidates are interviewed in groups, and Anderson said the company chooses four or five to go through the 90-day boot camp. The goal, he said, is to help people interested in development gain experience.

"You don't see a lot of entry-level positions in development," Anderson said. "A lot of places want someone with experience. We feel like this program allows us to compete for best and brightest entry-level talent that goes overlooked."

Q2's next recruiting event is Nov. 19 from 5:30–9 p.m. at Pinballz Arcade, located at 8940 Research Blvd., Ste. 100. For more information visit www.q2ebanking.com.