New 1819 partnership gives students direct path to AI careers

TCS is a digital transformation and technology partner for industry-leading organizations worldwide. Students will complete hands-on projects, receive mentorship, practice interviewing and earn global certifications aligned with current industry needs. 

The new initiative targets final-year students and blends academic learning with workforce preparation through an intensive three-month experience. The program is set to launch with a pilot in summer 2026 through special topics information technology courses open to both undergraduate and graduate students. 

The goal is simple but ambitious: Ensure graduates can contribute to AI-driven workplaces from day one.

“In keeping with its aspiration of becoming the world’s largest AI-led technology services company, TCS is committed to building a pipeline of AI jobs in the heartland of America,” said Amit Bajaj, President of TCS North America. “By building on our longstanding partnerships with the University of Cincinnati and Salesforce, we are designing a blueprint for the AI jobs of the future.”

A cornerstone of the program is a new Salesforce certification curriculum co-developed by the three partners. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a fall co-op at TCS, gaining paid, hands-on experience while completing their undergraduate studies.

By alternating academic coursework with practical training, the program expands UC’s nationally recognized cooperative education model into the fast-growing AI workforce.

“Companies increasingly expect entry-level job seekers to hit the ground running with practical AI skills,” said Hazem Said, professor and director of UC’s School of Information Technology. “We’re creating a model that helps redefine the value of a university education and builds pathways to success for tomorrow’s AI leaders.”

The program builds on a model that the university has already tested with industry partners. The school of IT previously developed a custom Azure Data Engineering program with Kroger Technology, enrolling more than 1000 students between 2023 and 2025.

The program is deeply rooted in the region’s growing technology ecosystem. TCS recently opened a Salesforce Center of Excellence at its Global Delivery Center in Milford, the company’s largest U.S. delivery center. 

“Together, we’re helping build an industry-ready local workforce that will accelerate client outcomes and launch AI careers,” said Meredith Nabavi, Director of Workforce Development Partnerships at Salesforce.

The collaboration reflects TCS’s broader investment in U.S. talent and its expanding Salesforce ecosystem, including the recent acquisitions of Coastal Cloud and ListEngage. 

The partnership could become a model for how universities and industry work together to prepare students for the fast-changing technology careers and keep that talent working in Ohio.

At its core, My First AI Job aims to close the gap between academic preparation and employer expectations. By treating certification and co-op experience as real-world assessments, the program increases the likelihood that students transition quickly into full-time roles after graduation.

For UC students, it represents a new pathway into one of the fastest-growing career fields, and for the region, another step toward becoming a hub for AI talent and innovation.

Cover image: Adobe Photoshop CC