By Krysten Brenlla
When March rolled around in Miami, attending the Youth Fair was every kid’s weekend plan. For Bryan Alberto Garcia, passing the sign that read “Florida International University” every time he visited sparked a dream that – at the time – felt far-fetched.
However, that dream became reality the moment he received his acceptance letter.
Now, nearly four years later, Garcia is preparing to graduate from FIU with his bachelor’s degree in information technology, becoming the first in his family to do so.
“Growing up, I would always tell myself, ‘Let’s see if I can get that far.’ I’m so proud of myself for doing this,” Garcia said. “I enjoy being at FIU and having the opportunity to experience college life.”
From a young age, Garcia knew he wanted to work with computers. His family relied on him for anything tech-related, and he drew inspiration from his uncle, who also worked in the field.
Now, as a senior at FIU studying information technology, he’s not only focused on computer programming but has also expanded his expertise into artificial intelligence and app development. His internships with GoFan, a national high school ticketing platform, and JN Music Group have allowed him to gain hands-on experience.
And, if that weren’t enough, throughout his time at FIU, he co-founded Code Crunch – a student-led organization dedicated to creating a collaborative and inclusive environment for aspiring coders and tech enthusiasts through workshops, networking, guest speakers, and more.
“With Code Crunch, we’re reaching a high point where so many people are interested in what we’re doing, and the industry as a whole,” Garcia said. “It’s such a great opportunity for students at any level.”
As Garcia’s time at FIU comes to an end, he reflects on the organizations and mentors that helped shape his journey – especially hackathon’s, and FIU’s Tech Talent Academy (TTA), a program within the Knight Foundation School of Computing and Information Sciences that supports students with resources and skill development in technology and programming.
The TTA helps students bridge knowledge gaps, enhance soft skills, and build confidence within the industry. It’s backed by the Miami Tech Talent Coalition – a collaboration of employers, academic, and community organizations dedicated to strengthening Miami’s tech talent pipeline that is part of Miami Tech Works, an initiative funded with a $10 million grant from the US government.
“The TTA was something new and exciting because it was all about getting ready for internships, and helping us with our resumes,” Garcia said. “We also learned new skills, like building projects with GitHub as if it were a real-world experience. Although it might have felt scary, it was a good experience – we met so many people, worked in teams, and I had a lot of fun.”
Looking ahead, Garcia is eager to apply his skills and FIU education to real-world projects, particularly in artificial intelligence, where he hopes to create something new and extraordinary.
As a senior about to close his collegiate chapter, he shares a key piece of advice that guided him throughout his FIU journey: work with what you have, and seize every opportunity.
“You never know what could come from an event or workshop,” Garcia said. “I went to so many and met new people everywhere who helped me land interviews and introduced me to professionals from different companies. You never know who you’ll meet or what you’ll gain from it.”
*****
For employers: How to get involved in the Miami Tech Talent Coalition
Your involvement can make a significant difference in shaping the future of Miami’s tech industry, creating a vibrant and sustainable tech talent ecosystem. Together, participants can continue to build Miami as an innovative hub and a desirable destination for businesses and tech talent.
- Join the Coalition here. Employers can also specify a work group they are interested in.
- Attend a meeting: The next in-person general meeting will be April 10. Find out more and register here.
- Stay connected with the coalition’s progress and updates by signing up for their newsletter here, reviewing the website here, and following Miami Tech Works on LinkedIn and Instagram.
READ MORE ABOUT MIAMI TECH WORKS IN REFRESH MIAMI:
- From Venezuela to FIU and soon Microsoft: Meet this computer science student making waves in the Miami tech ecosystem
- Building a future in tech: How OIC of South Florida helped Woodly Chery turn passion into opportunity
- How Miami Tech Works and its partners aim to keep the region’s emerging tech talent right here
- How did this MDC international student land a corporate job in tech? Hard work and networking
- From paramedic to software engineer: Meet Rolando Caceres
- At the Tech Talent Summits and Fest, smart job-hunting advice was in abundance. Here’s some of the best.
- The data is in: We have tech talent, but are not retaining it. Now what?
- And much more here.
Refresh Miami is a proud partner of Miami Tech Works
- UM students launch AIdMD, reimagining electronic health records with built-in AI - February 27, 2026
- Six women founders pitched at eMerge Americas’ SHINE! competition. And the winner is … - December 19, 2025
- UM grad’s safety app helps students stay protected and connected. Now with seed funding, he’s expanding access - November 12, 2025