Best Buy : 3 Lessons Learned From Recent Geek Squad Academy Season

Andrea RiehlStaff Writer

I love my job. I manage our Geek Squad Academy program, which brings hands-on tech education to kids across the country in the form of two-day immersive camps.

This summer, our 11 season, Geek Squad Academy brought 1,250 of our employees out to their communities to work with 4,800 Junior Agents. Classes included 3-D design, digital music, coding, programming and much more.

It was an amazing summer of tech education and exploration. Here are three lessons I learned:

1. Combining creativity and technology really makes our Junior Agents shine.

[Attachment] There is something so powerful about this combination that removes barriers and unlocks potential. Our students have created music of their own that is on par with (or better than!) anything on the radio, and we love that they are just as excited as we are to share it with one another.

2. Teamwork makes it all come together.

Whether it is our Junior Agents working side by side to solve a programming maze, or our employees all pitching in to put on a great camp, none of the magic that happens at Geek Squad Academy is possible without everyone working together.

3. Our Junior Agents have more to teach us than we could ever hope to teach them.

We're sure our Junior Agents are going to create the next big app or build the next great website. They are the entrepreneurs, industry disruptors and innovators of the future. We can't wait to see what they come up with!

I'm inspired by the kids and employees I spent time with this summer and excited to make next year even better.

Organizations interested in hosting a Geek Squad Academy camp must submit a proposal application. Applications will be accepted for the 2018 summer season starting Nov. 15.

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