3rd Annual Tech Day a Success
Just before winter break, the Raymond A. Mason School of Business hosted their third-annual Tech Day. Tech Day is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to learn more about both the business and computer science sides of the Tech Industry. The event is open to all students at the University, giving everyone a unique opportunity to learn valuable information about their intended field of work. Students have first-hand interaction with alumni, tech-savvy panelists, industry experts, and prospective employers to learn about the current climate of the industry, the types of skill sets required to be successful in Technology, and different paths to get involved with Tech.
“Tech Day is more than just a networking and recruiting opportunity,” Dean Larry Pulley explained when introducing Keynote speaker, Melvin Greer. “It is a one-of-a-kind forum here at William & Mary, bringing students together to engage with business leaders on the most pressing technology-related issues.”
The day opened up with a series of panels related to current issues in the Tech Industry and how these problems affect us every day. Panel topics included data bias, the hacker epidemic, and technical interview prep. Panelists came from a wide variety of backgrounds, including tech startups, banks and consulting firms, government agencies, and academia. Every panelist provided a unique perspective on each of these topics, showing how modern issues affect all facets of our life in the technology age. Many of the panelists were W&M alumni, who each told students how their experience at the university helped them to succeed, professionally and personally, every day.
Those in attendance were treated to a seated lunch and a talk by Keynote speaker, Melvin Greer, Chief Data Scientist at Intel Corporation. Greer spoke about data literacy, the new AI economy, and the direction that the tech industry is heading towards in the new decade: “If we aren’t creative in being able to figure out how this technology can be delivered in a safe, equitable, ethical manner. And if we aren’t thoughtful and mindful of how it should be deployed, we can’t be successful."
During the afternoon, students had the chance to browse and network with potential companies at the Tech Day employer showcase. With nearly 50 employers in attendance, students found Tech Day to be a meaningful experience that shed light on an ever-growing and demanding industry.
