At ACT, we spend most of our time focused on systems, security, and keeping our clients running smoothly. But explaining what that actually looks like isn’t always easy, especially at home.
So for Bring Your Kid to Work Day, we didn’t try to explain it. We showed it.
This year, we welcomed our team’s kids into the office for a day built around hands-on activities, problem-solving, and a real look at what IT actually looks like.
“What Do You Think Your Parent Does All Day?”
We started the morning with a quick welcome from ACT President Frank Riina, followed by a simple question: What do you think your parent does all day?
The answers varied, but many kids only had a vague idea of what working in IT actually looked like. Through hands-on challenges and interactive activities, they quickly discovered that technology is about far more than just sitting behind a computer screen. It’s about problem-solving, teamwork, and helping people every day.
Teamwork in Action
Instead of sitting through presentations, the kids got right into it.
The first challenge was an escape room, split by age group. Each team had to work through a set of clues to crack a mystery password that would unlock their computer. As they raced against the clock, the room quickly filled with excited guesses, teamwork, and last-minute breakthroughs. The kids quickly realized the challenge wasn’t just about technology, it was about working together, communicating, and thinking critically.
Building Their Own Computers
Later in the morning, Frank walked the group through the different parts of a computer and explained how each component works together to keep a system running. The kids got the chance to build their own computers, giving them a hands-on look at the technology they use every day.
For many of the kids, this was the moment technology stopped feeling complicated and started feeling approachable. Seeing the inside of a computer come together piece by piece made it one of the most exciting parts of the day.
Wrapping It Up
We closed things out by recognizing everything they had accomplished. Each participant left with a “Junior IT Specialist” certificate and a much better answer to the question we started with. More importantly, they left with the confidence to explore technology in new ways and a better understanding of how IT impacts the world around them.
Why We Do It
This day is fun, no question about it. But it’s also about something bigger: helping kids feel comfortable with technology, introducing them to cybersecurity in an approachable way, and showing them that IT is about far more than just computers.
After watching the students work together, tackle challenges, and build with confidence throughout the day, one thing became clear: the next generation of innovators is already getting started.
