Empowering Students Through the Hyland Fund

At Hyland, we believe in investing in the next generation of innovators and leaders. Through the Hyland Fund, we support organizations worldwide that create pathways for young people to gain skills, build confidence and prepare for meaningful careers in technology.

That’s why we’re proud to have partnered with Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) through this year's Hyland Fund grant, helping expand meaningful career pathways for high school students across Northeast Ohio.

“Our mission is to equip teens and young adults with the skills and experiences needed to thrive in an evolving workforce,” said Brittany Atkinson, Manager of Foundation and Corporate Relations for Y.O.U. “In the tech space, that means giving high school students real-world exposure to careers while strengthening our region’s future talent pipeline.”

As the regional intermediary for Ohio’s High School Tech Internship (HSTI) program, Y.O.U. plays a pivotal role in connecting students with employers in software development, data, cloud and IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity. In summer 2025 alone, the organization coordinated 190 IT/tech-focused work experiences — 141 of which qualified as official HSTI experiences under the Governor’s program.

Real-world impact: Hayden’s story

The program’s impact is best seen through students like Hayden, age 17, who spent his summer interning at University Hospitals in the Data Center and Server Storage area.

Hayden gained invaluable, hands-on experience in technology operations working under the close mentorship of Terry Polomsky, Manager of IT Server and Storage — sharpening his technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and understanding of large-scale IT environments. During his internship he was involved in various responsibilities, including assisting with system workflow design and documentation, supporting change management and policy development, troubleshooting issues (including interfaces and vendor coordination), creating reports, managing ServiceNow tickets and contributing to system integrations while following change control standards.

Hayden’s experience not only highlights the technical skills he developed, but also the mentorship and encouragement that shaped his growth throughout the summer. For Hayden and many of his peers, internships like these provide a great opportunity to see themselves thriving in high-demand careers.

Expanding opportunities through the Hyland Fund

With Hyland's support, Y.O.U.’s Internship Program has grown from 72 interns in 2024 to 96 in 2025, providing more students with career exploration workshops and paid 120-hour work placements aligned with their interests.

Students in the program also gained the chance to earn certifications that strengthened their resumes. To date, 78 students have earned industry-recognized credentials, including 26 with the Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt awareness-level certification — an in-demand credential that demonstrates problem-solving and process improvement skills highly valued across technology careers.

“The Hyland Fund grant allowed us to serve more interns across the program overall,” Atkinson explained. “Because technology is consistently a popular choice, the grant also helped us strengthen our pipeline of STEM-focused internships.”

A lasting partnership

Hyland’s relationship with Y.O.U. spans six years and extends beyond funding. Hyland mentors have welcomed interns, guiding them through projects, workshops and team experiences that bring careers in technology to life.

“Hyland mentors have inspired students to pursue careers in technology,” Atkinson shared. “Beyond the grant itself, Hyland’s partnership elevates the visibility of our program, demonstrates the importance of investing in young talent, and sets a strong example for other employer partners.”

Building brighter futures

The Hyland Fund supports organizations globally that open doors for the next generation, and the partnership with Y.O.U. is one example of this mission in action. Together, we’re helping students like Hayden — and countless others worldwide — gain the skills and confidence to take their next steps.

“We are deeply grateful to the Hyland Fund for its continued partnership,” Atkinson said. “Because of Hyland’s support, more young people are not only envisioning themselves in tech careers but are also taking concrete steps to prepare for them.”

At Hyland, we’re proud to stand alongside Y.O.U. in this mission, ensuring that tomorrow’s innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.