"I got lucky." Trish Millines Dziko's warm smile brightens the computer lab at Technology Access Foundation, a program she cofounded in 1996 with $150,000 of her own funds. As one of the young millionaires created by an affiliation with Microsoft Corporation, Millines Dziko retired at age 39 and now uses her computer science expertise to provide technical training for children 5 to 18 in the Seattle area. Each year about 70 teens enroll in The Technical Teens Internship Program that includes courses in programming, Web site development, networking and career development skills. This is followed by job-readiness training, college entrance preparation and paid summer internships at local corporations or small businesses for practical experience.

Millines Dziko is preparing Seattle's youth to become creators of technology, software providers or knowledgeable users. In addition, about 200 5-12 year olds take computer classes to enhance their reading, math, critical thinking and problem solving skills through the TechStart program.

Back to 1999