Non-technical Skills for Technical Students: TechBiz Minnesota

Feb. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- MINNEAPOLIS (February 8 2012) Industry professionals and IT/computing faculty members have the opportunity to participate in a unique and timely exploration of the importance of personal effectiveness and professionalism skills (often called soft skills). Normandale College in Bloomington hosts the April 19-20 event that will feature a faculty session to discuss incorporating soft skills into curriculum, a faculty-business symposium with a panel and small group discussion, and a “Learners Showcase” where student teams will present their knowledge and nontechnical skills.

Industry professionals and IT/computing faculty members are invited to participate in the two Friday sessions.  Faculty members, in addition, are invited to participate in the Thursday Feb 19th evening session.  Student attendees have the opportunity to attend a special career presentation and Q&A session on Friday morning, and then present their projects in the afternoon TechBiz Minnesota Learner's Showcase, as part of the In-Person and Online competitions this semester.
   Plan to attend this free event and meet colleagues across MnSCU, and industry professionals from the wide array of IT/Computing fields.  
   Faculty: encourage your students to compete in the TechBiz Online and In-Person competitions. Deadline for students to submit project proposals: February 10, 2012.
   INDUSTRY/MnSCU FACULTY REGISTRATION - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TECHBIZ (Student teams can learn more and register through the link provided on the STUDENT TEAMS page at http://TechBiz.advanceitmn.org )
Interested? Read more below and online at the TechBiz Minnesota site http://TechBiz.advanceitmn.org.
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IT/computing faculty members
Session 1: Nontechnical Skills in IT Careers - Faculty session, Thursday, April 19, 4:30-8pm
•   Faculty from seven MnSCU colleges and universities will present how they are working together to develop nontechnical or 'soft' skills into their curriculum and assess skill attainment.
•   The presentations will be followed by a Q & A session and dinner with attending faculty members.
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Industry professionals and IT/computing faculty members
Session 2: Industry & Careers Symposium - Faculty & Industry meeting, Friday, April 20, 8:30-Noon
•   Keynote presentation on IT-related employment in Minnesota.
•   Panel Discussion with IT experts in various fields covering the IT.
•   Faculty/Industry small groups session by career track.
> INDUSTRY/MnSCU FACULTY REGISTRATION - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TECHBIZ (Student teams register through the link provided on the STUDENT TEAMS page)
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Industry professionals and IT/computing faculty members
Session 3: Learners' Showcase - Student presentations, Friday, April 20, 1:00-4:30pm
Very few opportunities exist within IT-related programs across the state for students, especially those nearing graduation, to expose their knowledge and nontechnical skills to an external audience. TechBiz is such a venue.
•   Student teams across MnSCU colleges and universities compete in presenting an academic paper or project.
•   Industry professionals and Faculty attendees judge student work for rigor and presentation skills.
•   Top three competing teams are awarded prizes in this In-person Competition, the second of two opportunities to compete this Spring.
•   All teams presenting at TechBiz also submit their papers and project reports for evaluation in a separate Online Competition prior to presenting at TechBiz.  Presenting at TechBiz is an optional competiton opportunity to teams competing online.
•   Student submissions are published in the online TechBiz Minnesota journal.

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The Center’s mission is to collaborate with industry, workforce agencies, and education to create and deliver IT expertise to ensure career and business success. The vision is to make Minnesota a top ten IT arena for IT.