For BYU and UVSC students
College students may have heard that few jobs exist in information technology in the United States, but a seminar for Brigham Young University and Utah Valley State College students on Friday, Nov. 17 will demonstrate just how wrong this myth is.
The “Future Potential in IT” seminar – co-sponsored by Microsoft, the Society for Information Management, BYU and UVSC – will link senior IT executives with current students to discuss the benefits of adding a technology focus to their career aspirations and encourage them to pursue careers in computing and IT-related fields.
The seminar will take place on Friday, Nov. 17, in 251 N. Eldon Tanner Building at BYU. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the event starting at 9 a.m.
Kelly Phillips, vice president of IT for O.C. Tanner, will deliver the keynote address, which will attempt to dispel myths that IT careers and jobs are diminishing in the United States. Debra Anderson, chief information officer of Novell, will follow with a presentation focused on the “Day in the Life” of a CIO, walking the audience through her road to a career in IT.
The keynote presentations will be followed by a panel discussion and question-and-answer session with local technology and business leaders, after which attendees will have the opportunity to win a Microsoft Xbox 360.
“IT is crucial to business innovation, and with a shortage of qualified IT professionals, it’s important that today’s college students are aware of the tremendous opportunities available to them,” said Brad Beadles, Microsoft senior account executive. “Through the ‘Future Potential in IT’ seminar, we hope to show students that IT offers solid careers – right here in Provo and around the country – that will help change the face of business.”
The seminar series is a national program designed to encourage undecided college freshman and sophomores – including women and students from diverse backgrounds – to consider a major in IT.
“We are thrilled of offer Utah students the opportunity to learn about careers in IT,” said Craig Lindstrom, assistant professor for information systems at BYU “We are excited to showcase IT as a still-vibrant field with endless opportunities through our classes and seminars like this one. It is important for students, especially those who are undecided, to really understand all their options and how IT can play a vital role in their futures.
Established in 1968, the Society for Information Management is the premiere network for IT leaders comprised of nearly 3,000 members including CIOs, senior IT executives, prominent academicians, consultants and other IT leaders.
For more information and to register go online to cs.byu.edu/future or to ebiz.byu.edu/future.
