CAREERS IN TECHNOLOGY Charlene Gamero Nicholas Barger What We Hope to Accomplish • Give you a little background on us • Introduce you to Arthrex • Explain why choosing a career in technology is a good • • • • • • • choice Discuss what we actually do Discuss how we actually do it Suggestions on how to pursue a career in technology Provide you some additional educational resources Explain the hiring process and give a few tips Discuss how non-technology careers are impacted Q&A Who We Are (Education) Charlene • Graduated in 2005, Bachelors in Computer Science • Masters in Computer Science Nicholas • Graduated in 2004, Bachelors in Business Administration • Minor in Classical Studies Who We Are (Work) Charlene • University of Miami • Online Management Systems • Arthrex Nicholas • Flame Internet • Clark Software • Online Management Systems • Florida Family Insurance • Arthrex Arthrex The worldwide leader in arthroscopic and sports medicine surgical devices, new procedure innovation and educational services for orthopedic surgeons and staff. http://www.arthrex.com Why Technology? • Job Growth • Salary • Stability • Dynamic Environment • Creative • Exciting • Impactful What Do We Do? • Solve difficult problems. • Innovate the business through technology. • Gather and analyze data to make critical business decisions. How Do We Do It? • Software programming • Web technologies • Database design and performance • Business intelligence and analytics • Business process design • Infrastructure design and support • System architecture design How To Get Started? • Decide an area you’re interested in. Don’t stress over this, you can (and probably will) change it later. • Find and participate in internship programs (Arthrex). • Develop your own projects. • Find others to work and learn with. • Fellow students • Clubs • Online (LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, etc.) • OpenStudy (http://openstudy.com/) Additional Educational Resources • Podcasts • Read Blogs/Articles/Magazines • Open Courseware • MIT OCW (http://ocw.mit.edu) • Stanford Engineering Everywhere (http://http://see.stanford.edu/) • Write a technical blog yourself (http://www.nicholasbarger.com) Stereo Types and the “it” Factor • Many people in technology are weird. Don’t be. • Personality and the perception of how you will fit into the team is more important than your technical ability, especially right now. • Set yourself apart by bringing something new to the group. • Leadership is a skill, practice it. The Hiring Process - Tips • The resume is important to even have a chance. No typos, focus it to the job, highlight accomplishments with specifics. • Speak professionally and genuinely during phone interviews. Admit if you do not know something, this speaks volumes, do not try and fake it. • Over dress for onsite interviews. Wear a suit. Practice your interview with someone who has hired others before – they will give you good advice. Who Hires? (Tech-Companies) • Technology companies such as Microsoft, Google, Oracle and Facebook. Who Hires? (Everyone Else) • Non-Technology companies such as hospitals, government, retail, research, and nearly every other industry. Big Business vs. Startups? • Startup Pro’s • Breadth of work and knowledge. • Working for a startup forces everyone to play lots of different roles and learn on the fly. • Very exciting. • Startup Con’s • Stability, stability, stability. • Usually, the hours can be 60-80+/week. Work becomes your life.. Big Business vs. Startups? • Big Business Pro’s • Stability, stability, stability – usually. • Depth of knowledge. Division of labor allows you to really focus deeper in your area. • There is a focus on best practices. • Big Business Con’s • Compliance and bureaucracy. • More difficult to stand out amongst so many people and layers of management. Careers Outside of Technology • Often, you are the customer. • The more you know about how technology works the easier it is to work with IT, engineers, and new technology. • Technology is prominent in nearly every company from tools to entire departments. • Use technology to help make you more productive. Q &A • We’re into bribery; candy for anyone who asks a question! • We’ll be available after the presentation as well.