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)

Nicholas• Graduated in 2004,

Bachelors in Business Administration

• Minor in Classical Studies

Charlene• Graduated in 2005,

Bachelors in Computer Science

• Masters in Computer Science

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.