HireUSA wins Rep. Susan Wild’s 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Pennsylvania’s Seventh District
Rep. Wild has named Aum Purani, a 10th grader at Parkland High School, as the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Pennsylvania’s Seventh District.
When asked what inspired the creation of HireUSA, the student said, “The inspiration behind creating HireUSA was rooted in the volatility of the job market, marked by challenges such as high employee turnover rates and the struggles faced by job seekers. My vision was to empower individuals seeking employment to identify the exact factors hindering their job prospects and facilitate connections with ideal employers. I firmly believe that everyone deserves guidance to find the right professional match, and HireUSA fulfills this purpose.
In the face of growing skepticism due to the emergence of AI technology, I held the conviction that technology, when harnessed correctly, could bridge existing gaps. This belief propelled me to develop a solution that not only tackled the challenges prevalent in the job market but also nurtured individual empowerment and economic growth. My passion for coding, AI, and entrepreneurship served as the driving force behind this endeavor. I aimed to create a platform that not only benefits my community but also instills confidence in individuals from diverse backgrounds, proving that technology can be a tool for success in today’s competitive job market. I wanted to create an environment where with Demand, we can Supply – if we use technology ethically.
Furthermore, news about Congresswoman Susan Wild and her team’s efforts to bring microchip development to the region and support local workers profoundly influenced my resolve to contribute positively. Witnessing these initiatives, I was inspired to take action and create meaningful change by providing opportunities and fostering growth. My aspiration is for people to wholeheartedly embrace the belief that, regardless of their background, technology can empower them, enhance their skills, and instill confidence, ultimately leading to success in the job market.”
This year’s Challenge saw an unprecedented level of participation, with 374 Members of the House of Representatives hosting competitions, surpassing the previous record of 340. A remarkable 11,334 students from across the United States competed in this year’s Challenge, marking an impressive increase of nearly 1,000 participants compared to the previous record set in 2019. The enthusiasm and creativity these students display is a testament to the growing interest in technology and signal a bright future for American innovation. The surge of ingenuity continued with a whopping 3,645 original applications flooding in, nearly a thousand more than the previous year’s high. This remarkable growth showcases the exceptional talent and innovation within our nation’s youth.
The Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Members of Congress host contests in their districts for middle school and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. This resounding show of bipartisan support emphasizes the critical importance of STEM education in today’s rapidly evolving world. Each participating Member of Congress selects a winning app from their district, and each winning team is invited to showcase their winning app to Congress during our annual #HouseOfCode festival. The program is a public-private partnership made possible through funding from Omidyar Network, AWS, Rise, theCoderSchool, Apple, and others.
The 2024 Congressional App Challenge will launch in May of 2024, and eligible students can pre-register for the competition now.