2019 Tech Connect

Please note: Registration is now full.

If you have not registered but wish to attend, you may show up this Friday for Session 1 or 2 and we will let you know approximately 20 minutes into the session if there is room. In the past, we have been able to accommodate unregistered students but there is no guarantee.

Employer Map for Tech Connect 2019

For one afternoon, top tech companies will takeover Lerner in order to connect with Columbia Computer Science & Computer Engineering students. Our Tech Connect event will put you at the roundtable with recruiters/alumni/engineers working at innovative technology-focused companies. If you want to work in tech, this is the event you can’t miss!

Barnard students - please contact Abby Stroup at acs2252@columbia.edu with your preferred session time to register for this event.

AIM OF THE EVENT

This event is designed from the ground up as an opportunity to learn about product innovations and projects from the company representatives living the work every day. You will also learn about company culture, career pathways, and of course, internship and full-time job opportunities in computer science/engineering roles.

Learn more about what to expect from our recap of last year’s event.

This is a resume-free zone! The focus should be on meaningful conversations about the work and life at the companies represented. Seek answers that you won’t be able to find on the internet! You are welcome to submit your resume to our resume book that will be sent to the attending employers after the event. Please note: Instructions on submission to the resume book will follow your registration.

EVENT FORMAT

IMPORTANT: Students must register for an entry time via LionSHARE to gain access to this event.

How it works — The event will take place in two sessions. NOTE: If you do not show up within 15 minutes of your scheduled start time, your spot may be given to a student on the waiting list.

Session 1: 11:00 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. (Please arrive by 10:50 a.m. to check in and ensure an 11:00 a.m. start)

Session 2: 1:30 — 3:00 p.m. (Please arrive by 1:20 p.m. to check in and ensure a 1:30 p.m. start)

You will be asked which session you want to attend when you register for the event. You will only be able to select one option.

You will then receive a ticket with your entry time on October 3rd. You must show your ticket on the day of the event to enter. NOTE: If you do not show up within 15 minutes of your scheduled start time, your spot may be given to a student on the waiting list.

DRESS CODE: Casual but neat. No suits — but, remember that how you dress is a reflection of your professionalism. Put your best foot forward!

Rules of the event -

Tech Connect Event Intro Video from Center for Career Education on Vimeo.

To make sure students have the opportunity to talk with multiple organizations, students will be required to rotate tables at regular intervals.

Tip - Your goal should be to speak to 5-8 employers in your 90-minute session.

Tip - Keep in mind, you want to have quality conversations, but you don’t want to waste time waiting for a seat! Some of the best conversations occur when you take the opportunity at an open spot and speak to a new employer.

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION

Each registered company will sit at a banquet size round table. Students will be invited to join the company representatives at their table for discussion. The employers present will be eager to discuss with you their work, team projects, achievements and challenges, their career trajectory, and the culture of the company.

Tip — We strongly discourage students from talking about specific recruiting timelines and processes. This is often information found on the company’s career website — try to gain knowledge about the organization that you cannot gather from their website!

GUIDE: POTENTIAL TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

Industry challenges + opportunities
User-driven innovations
Company priorities
Day-to-day work of an engineer
Cross-team collaboration
Impact of AI on design and work
Organization of the company — how do the engineering teams interact?
Training programs + advancement opportunities or patterns
Leadership interaction with engineers

I registered for the event. Now what?

We would recommend three important things in preparing for this event.

SUBMIT YOUR RESUME TO THE RESUME BOOK.

You will be permitted to submit your resume to the resume book starting on Monday, September 23rd. All employers will be given a resume book after the event. Remember, this is a resume-free zone. Use your time during the event for discussion.

How to submit to the resume book:

Log in to LionSHARE with your UNI.
Submit your resume to this job posting — 2019 Tech Connect Attendee — Resume Book
Please note that your submission is not an actual job application.
You can submit your resume between Monday, Sept. 23rd through Monday, Oct. 7th at 12:00 p.m.
NOTE: Only students who attend the event will be included in the resume book. If you submit a resume and then do not attend Tech Connect, your resume will not be included.

2. LOOK AT THE EMPLOYERS COMING

View the list of employers attending in LionSHARE.
Learn more about these companies by visiting their websites, following them on LinkedIn and social media, and check out how they are mentioned in the news.
Create a list of 10-15 tables you would like to speak with. You may not immediately get a seat at a table you want to join, so make sure you have a list of alternatives to join.
View the Tech Connect map to see where employers will be located inside the event.

3. DEVELOP QUESTIONS

You will be at the table with company representatives. This is your time to ask your questions about life and work as a developer.
Be thoughtful — the quality of the questions you ask can set you apart. Just ask the Tech Pros who attended our Software Practice Interview Night.
Think about questions that will help you decide what kind of company you want to work for. For example: Big or small? Startup or corporate? Individual or group work? Who do you want as your end-user?