Case Study: Best Buy & Geek Squad Summer Academy

Best Buy supports Geek Squad Summer Academy to help students learn about technology while giving employees an extraordinary volunteer experience. Best Buy’s Geek Squad Agents partner with local nonprofit organizations and schools to get teens excited about technology. The Geek Squad Summer Academy brings Best Buy professionals and Geek Squad Agents together with kids to inspire them to become future technology leaders and innovators.

The Opportunity

Moira Hardek, Summer Academy Director, was looking for ways to recruit more female talent for Geek Squad. She went back to her alma mater, Chicago’s Mother McAuley high school, to get teen girls excited about technology. After the successful launch of Summer Academy in 2007 Geek Squad expanded the offering in a dozen cities across the country throughout the summer of 2008. In 2007, Summer Academy offered camps exclusively for girls. The expansion in 2008 opened doors for all teens.

Best Buy’s Pro Bono Investment

More than 200 Agents and 500 Best Buy employees volunteered their time to educate nearly 1,200 teens. Geek Squad partnered with local non-profit organizations to help localize the events and offer customized workshops and trainings such as digital imaging, computer build, Wii-Olympics, and tech-jewelry classes. The 2009 Summer Academy program will expand to 35 programs in new regions, including Puerto Rico.

The Impact

Based on a participant survey, nearly 75% of female students said that they were more inclined to consider a career in technology. Sue Simonson, the Business/Computer Education Teacher at Mound Westonka High School said, “I have seen many different parents of girl attendees and all have been pleased and amazed at the things their daughters accomplished. You have made an impact in our community, and I wish I could articulate what it means to me. I truly share your vision for exciting girls about technology.” In addition, the program provides employee volunteers with valuable experience, Keith Falcone, a Geek Squad agent who served at 3 different academies, observes, “The chance to have participated in a program like this not only enlightened me to an area that needs attention, but it also proved to me that there really is a group of people within our company that cares deeply about the “next generation”. The children are given a chance to get involved in predetermined areas of technology that they otherwise would have absolutely no exposure to and are certainly ready to absorb.”

About Geek Squad

Geek Squad is the first national 24-hour task force dedicated to solving the world’s technology challenges. Comprised of highly skilled and specially trained Agents, home entertainment installers (GSIs), AutoTechs and appliance repairers (GSRs), nearly 20,000 active Geek Squad technicians patrol Geek Squad precincts in all U.S. Best Buy stores, at Geek Squad stand-alone U.S. store locations and at service centers nationwide.

About Best Buy

Best Buy Co., Inc. operates a global portfolio of brands with a commitment to growth and innovation. Our employees strive to provide customers around the world with superior experiences by responding to their unique needs and aspirations. We sell consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services through nearly 1,300 retail stores across the United States, throughout Canada and in China. Best Buy supports the communities in which its employees work and live through volunteerism and grants that benefit children and education. For more information, please visit www.bestbuyinc.com.