7th Annual William & Mary Tech Day at Raymond A. Mason School of Business Transforms Learning Landscape
In a convergence of innovation and education, the 7th Annual William & Mary Tech Day was held at Miller Hall, home to the Raymond A. Mason School of Business. This year's theme was "Age of Smart Technology & Radical Change: Generative AI." The event, held on November 1, attracted tech enthusiasts, industry experts, and eager students seeking insights into the dynamic world of tech.
The day commenced with an engaging keynote address by Aaron Koehl, Ph.D. '15 and Chief Data Scientist/AVP at Riverside Health System. Koehl delved into the intricacies of Generative AI, shedding light on companies' ethical considerations while navigating the digital revolution. The audience was introduced to new concepts and insights as he explored Hex software and its implications, providing a glimpse into the cutting-edge technologies shaping the healthcare landscape.
Following Koehl's morning session, Professors Guillermo Rodríguez-Abitia and Rachel Chung facilitated an interactive activity regarding ChatGPT with the student audience. It was an engaging and informative session titled 'Let's Chat About It' to dispel misconceptions surrounding generative AI and deliberate on its merits and constraints. “Teams of participants were encouraged to actively utilize prompts in their preferred Generative AI tools to generate content that ranged from inappropriate and inaccurate to downright ridiculous. The teams subsequently shared their outcomes, fostering a lively discussion culminating in a friendly voting process to determine the most creative results. This event not only proved to be enjoyable but also served as an enriching educational experience,” noted Guillermo.
Then, Christer Johnson, BA '92, and Chief Analytics Officer at Healthfirst, took the stage for the lunch session entitled "Career Insights in the Analytics Space." Johnson's address offered a comprehensive view of the analytics industry and emphasized the importance of focusing on specific skills to stand out in a competitive job market.
Rosalyn Hundley Barnett, Associate Director of Corporate Relations and Employer Engagement for the Graduate Career Management Center expressed her enthusiasm for this year's event, stating, "It was particularly exciting as we decided to revamp the structure a bit. In planning the 7th Annual William & Mary Tech Day, Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) faculty expressed the importance of the day being an interactive experience for student participants, and I believe that's where we really delivered. The entire program was rich in thought leadership, innovation, curiosity, enlightenment, and connection."
The afternoon session saw an in-person career fair that provided students with the opportunity to engage with employers from a diverse array of industries. The retail sector's increasing recognition of the need for data scientist expertise, particularly in supply chain and merchandising, highlighted the event's relevance to real-world industry demands and the expansion of industries tapping into the value of data science.
Katie Keene, Senior Corporate Recruiter from Marathon Consulting, praised the seamless organization of the event, noting, "The Mason School of Business consistently organizes exceptional events that seamlessly engage participants. From its outstanding location to the high caliber of students, the school fosters a genuine partnership with employers. The dedicated college staff goes above and beyond, exerting considerable effort to ensure students have ample opportunities for meaningful face-to-face conversations with industry leaders who can open doors to promising career opportunities."
Graduate students, such as Yaw Obeng, MSBA '24, reflected on the day's impact on his education and career. Obeng highlighted the value of insightful discussions with guest speakers, emphasizing their role in bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications. He noted, "AI is a game changer. It helps students and working professionals enhance their codes. The right application of AI will always increase companies' efficiency."
Divya Wadhwani, MSBA '24, shared her perspective on the event, emphasizing the importance of networking opportunities, insightful discussions about different career paths, and the discovery of emerging tech trends like AI and cybersecurity. She acknowledged the event's contribution to understanding the skills required for success in the tech industry.
In a post-event interview, Wadhwani outlined the impact of her interactions with professionals and recruiters, stating, "I realized the skills and qualities companies value in potential hires and gained a clearer understanding of day-to-day realities of various tech roles."
William & Mary Tech Day, once again, demonstrated its success as a platform for thoughtful reflection on current technological trends in business analytics. It provided a unique space for the convergence of students and employers to explore potential work opportunities. This year's focus on generative AI and careers in business analytics drew substantial attendance and active participation proving to be a catalyst for fostering connections, bridging the gap between academia and industry, and preparing the next generation of tech leaders for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
