Microsoft Fargo is hosting 120 college students and their faculty from schools across the region for a day of activities today.

The 2011 Microsoft Mentorship Outreach and Retention in Education program capstone event focuses on supporting and encouraging college students, especially female college students, interested in or pursuing technical degrees.

Twenty schools across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota currently participate in the free program.

The goal of the event is to provide students an opportunity to learn about the software industry, available career paths, and the qualifications necessary to succeed in this and related industries, a news release stated.