Vermont 3.0 Creative Tech Career Jam, Saturday, October 25

Is your career recession-proof?

Find one that is at the next Vermont 3.0 Creative Technology Career Jam — Saturday, October 25 at Champlain College in Burlington. This "job expo on steroids" will introduce you to representatives from some of Vermont's most innovative companies. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. The program lasts from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Click here for more details.

Comments

[Employer in the Vermont High Tech Community]

Vermont 3.0 is NOT doing the high tech community justice.
We were an exhibitor last year and were excited to see the potential of this event. It could be THE showcasing event to demonstrating to the public how big this industry really is in the state, help solve the brain drain, provide employment opportunities to all ages. I made a lot of constructive criticism after the last event and am disappointed to see that none of these were made.

There are too many higher ed institutions, media and others in relation to high tech companies. The same names and faces are doing panels and showing up in advertizing; specifically Champlain College, EpikOne, Union Street Media and the principles of VTsda.

Especially disappointing are the panels on being a CTO and being an entrepreneur. There should be real CTO's on that panel, not educators and recruiters. The entrepreneur panel has 3 out of 5 seats with those who try to make money from entrepreneurs.

Vermont 3.0 needs to do a better job reaching out to other employers who employ high-tech and related people, compose panels from the real world, and show more diversity all around.

[Cathy Resmer]

Hi Employer,

Thanks for leaving a comment on our blog about yesterday's Vermont 3.0 Tech Jam. I wish you'd attached your name to your comment, but since you left your email address in the email field, I know who you are, and will contact you offline to talk with you about your concerns.

In the meantime, let me address some of the points you raised in your comment.

First, the panels. Last time, we had two speaker series at the event. One track was for businesses, one track was for academics. Both are important to Vermont 3.0, because it's not just a business event -- it's also a place where people can learn about educational opportunities in Vermont. This information is useful to the many high school and college kids, and their parents, and career changers who come to the event. The educational institutions have been involved in planning Vermont 3.0 from the beginning, and it wouldn't exist without them.

This time around, we decided to have panel discussions rather than presentations, because we wanted to give the audience a wider variety of perspectives. We designed the panels to have one educator, one employee and one business owner working in each of the fields. That way, the audience could get a sense of how Vermont programs prepare students, what workers have to do to land jobs and advance in their careers, and what owners look for when they're hiring.

I'm sorry you were disappointed in the CTO panel. I was moderating the arts panels all day (yes, all 6 of them!), and I thought they were very interesting. Most of them were fantastic. I saw lots of business card exchanges, and heard from audience members who really enjoyed the opportunity to hear from our panelists. Heck, I enjoyed hearing from them.

And as part of the team of people who programmed those panels, let me tell you, it wasn't easy. As I'm sure you know, the people who are working in these fields are BUSY! There were several potential panelists who were unable to come because of scheduling conflicts. And there were people who we approached who never returned emails or phone calls. Were they uninterested? Swamped with work? Who knows. We tried.

You mentioned "the same names and faces." Well, all of those entities you mentioned have been very supportive of this event, and in the case of Champlain and VTSDA, they've helped organize it, and sponsor it. They've also been willing -- even eager -- to help out by sitting on panel discussions. We're grateful for their help. There wouldn't be a Vermont 3.0 without them.

We did try to find professors from other institutions -- we had panelists from St. Mike's, Burlington College, Lyndon State, UVM and Vermont Technical College (though I'm told she didn't show for her panel). It just so happens that Champlain teaches more classes in more of the Vermont 3.0-related subjects.

But we would love to include different people next time around, and we welcome your suggestions. Maybe you'd like to be on a panel? Seriously. Send us suggestions.

As for the exhibitors -- people paid for exhibition space. Believe me, we approached dozens upon dozens of companies asking them to exhibit at this event, including yours. Some of them said no. As far as I know, we didn't turn away anyone who wanted booth space who was able to pay for it.

I should add that we're looking into changing the exhibitor fees -- we raised the fees this time around to cover the cost of doing the event, but we're thinking of working out a fee structure that would allow smaller companies to exhibit at a lower rate. That might help get more smaller firms in the door.

If you know of companies that were not at this event but wanted to be, please, let us know! That goes for everyone reading this. We want the same thing you want -- a successful event that showcases as many of these companies as possible.

Anyone who wants to send feedback can post suggestions on this blog, or email me directly at cathy@sevendaysvt.com. I will pass your comments along to the Vermont 3.0 organizing committee.

Thanks for coming to Vermont 3.0. I had a great time, and was once again impressed by the energy, enthusiasm and talent here in the 802.

[Melissa Hersh, Director of Workforce Development Center, Champlain College]

Dear fellow bloggers,

First, thanks to Cathy for all the kudos.

The planning and implementation of this event is a complex, collaborative, process conducted by an Organizing Committee, second to none. It is comprised of employers, state agencies, colleges, VSAC, CEDO, Seven Days, and VT Software Developers' Alliance reps. The planning meetings are fast paced and the plentiful to-do's lists are shared across the committee. Anyone who would like to join, should let us know.

As a member of the Champlain College community, I was particularly thrilled to host the event on campus. Our curriculum matches up well with the careers promoted at the event and sends a powerful message to students about the connection between learning and earning.

The employer exhibitors and attendees that I spoke to were unanimously thrilled with the event!

Providing constructive feedback after the event is great and also welcomed by the organizers. Following through as a participant to help make the event EVEN better the next time is the hard part! Get involved in the process. Vermont 3.0 is YOU!