• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Career Connectors

Connecting professionals in career transition with hiring companies and quality resources

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Career Connectors eUpdate
Subscribe Here
  • Job Seekers
    • Events
      • Event Schedule
      • Webinar Recordings
      • Event Recaps
      • Prepare for an Event
    • Resources
      • PipelineAZ
      • Community Updates
      • Career Chats
      • DISC
      • Business Portraits
      • Career Advice
      • Trusted Resources
      • LinkedIn Basics
    • Featured Companies
    • Volunteer
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Volunteer Application
  • Employers
    • Hiring
    • Outplacement Services
    • Partners
  • About Us
    • Donate
    • Applause & Testimonials
    • In The News
    • Mission Statement
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact

5/2/2019 – Technology Panel

May 6, 2019

Written by Rachel Gersten

Jessica Pierce welcomed and explained the agenda, which was a bit different than typical Career Connectors meetings. Instead of one keynote speaker we were fortunate enough to have two panel discussions, which included seven technology market experts. Today’s event was sponsored by USAA.

Panel One: Talent Recruitment in Technology

Brad Harris, Software Developer at USAA
USAA is a mission driven company built by members of the military for the military. They are actively seeking talented individuals to fill over 1,000 jobs in AZ in the next 2 years. Openings include Data Analytics Audit Manager, Business Intelligence/ETL Engineer, Senior Risk Analyst, Java Software Engineer, Attorney, .NET Developer, and Customer Service Representative.

Melissa McCoy, Vice President for TechFinders
TechFinders is a well-established recruiting firm that has adapted well to the changes in technology, over their 20+ year history. This is a company that knows how to stay current.

Gil “GW” Williams, Lead Sales and Marketing Manager for Intel
Intel has evolved into a more data-centric company. They still work with PC’s and chips but they are much more than that. They are known to say any technology will run better with Intel. They are hiring process engineers, manufacturing techs/engineers, as well as a number of other positions.

Panel One: Q & A

Q: When you say “technology field” what does that mean?

A: The “technology field” is everywhere. Our world has gotten to the point where we need tech for just about everything. Tech is becoming a bigger part of our lives. If you have a website you are a tech company.

Q: What do you consider a job in the field?

A: There is a full range of job opportunities in the tech field, some of which include: developers, data engineers, project management, support, management, marketing, sales, HR analyst, and quality assurance, to name of few.

Q: How do you break into the tech field?

A: Be in the middle of everything. Spend as much time as you can networking. Consider having a direct link to your resume on your business cards. Use social media like LinkedIn to research people at the companies you’re interested in working. Learn about their culture. Go to events. Remember it takes time, be persistent. Ask many people eventually someone will say yes. Only 8% people that apply online will get hired according to the panel.

Q: What do you see as the future of tech in AZ?

A: Artificial intelligence (AI) will be huge in the next five to seven years. Cyber security will be very important because of foreign threats and hacking. The old saying, “information is power” rings true.

Panel Two:  Career Pathways

Chukwudi Anya, Security Controls and Compliance Analyst at Freedom Financial Network.
Freedom Financial Network is the largest debt relief service provider in US. Open positions include Data Analyst, DevOps Engineer, Full Stack Engineer, Accounting Specialist, QA Coach, Software Engineer, Senior Scrum Master/Agile Coach and more.

Chad Johnson, Technology Manager for State Farm
State Farm provides financial services with over 83 million policies in the country. Openings include Software Developer, Java Developer, Data Scientist, Salesforce & Digital Analytics Analyst, Customer Service, and Business Analysts.

James Mitchell, Recruiting Manager for Deloitte
Deloitte is the largest consulting firm in the country. Deloitte has over 400 jobs to fill in Arizona including AWS Cloud Architect, Cyber Oracle Cloud EBS Security & Controls Consultant, Sr Linux Administrator, Cyber Risk Secure Software Enablement Consultant, UX Designer and many more.

Rob Loy, Head of Technology Education with GCU
GCU is an education provider with support for IT education, boot camps and degree programs.

Panel Two: Q & A

Q: What does tech mean for your business?

A: Technology means everything to business. It encompasses so many areas some of which include: support, operations, data support, compliance, risk security, planning and analyst.

Q: How would you get your foot in the door?

A: Remember to set yourself apart. Employers are interested in finding the right employee for the right position. Tap into your soft skills especially your willingness to learn.
There are many ways to get your foot in the door. One of which is to gain additional education by going back to school for degrees, certifications, and/or boot camps.
There are three things to keep in mind when wanting noticed: networking, networking, networking. LinkedIn is a great networking tool. Use it to connect with company leaders.

Closing

Jessica Pierce concluded the meeting by thanking USAA for sponsoring the Panel, our wonderful host GCU for their support, as well as all our amazing corporate sponsors and volunteers. The next meeting will be held on May 9th, 9 am at the Scottsdale location.

On May 11th, USAA has an on-site Career Expo from 7:30 to 10:30 am. This will be held at USAA’s newly built campus at 25700 Norterra Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85085. Please remember to sign up online for these upcoming events.

Please check out the blog post from Heather Marcom at Freedom Financial Network on Re-careering.

Diane Forner

Filed Under: Event Recaps Tagged With: Deloitte, GCU, technology careers, TechFinders, USAA, Freedom Financial Network, Intel, State Farm

Primary Sidebar

Recent Event Recaps

2/10/22 – Getting My Career SHIFT Together

1/27/22 – Show Out When You Show Up

11/18/21 – A 7 Step Career Amplifier

12/14/21 – The Perfect Job in 2022

More Event Recaps

Career Advice

 10 Tips for Returning To Work As A New Mom

How Personal Brand Applies In The Job Search Process

Career Advice For A Changing Landscape in 2023

13 Stories: The Best Career Advice I’ve Ever Received

How Leaders Run Successful Meetings: 10 Tips and Tricks

More Career Advice

Footer

Socialize with us!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Testimonials

Career Connectors offered me a one-stop-shopping capability for all of the coaching, resources and connections I needed to perfect my job searching skills.  The package of services, and support I found while attending these workshops over the past 7 months was unique to, and more productive than any other networking venues I attended. I am thrilled to share that I’ve landed with B/E Aerospace in Tucson.  I recommend to all Job Seekers to find out what works for you, and exploit it for best r… Read more
Aidan F.
If you are a job seeker in transition or looking to find that new great position I highly recommend Career Connectors. The search process has changed significantly over the years and Career Connectors will provide you many tools that will allow you to stand out and demonstrate your unique value to potential employers. At each event I had the opportunity to “sharpen the saw” through top notch expert presentations on image portrayal, positive attitude, networking, social media presence, job… Read more
Joe C.
I just want to thank you and compliment you and your organization, all the people involved, for providing this free service to the people in the Phoenix area. Last August found me in the unforeseen, unplanned position of being without a job. This circumstance, anytime but especially being a single mom, is very unsettling, sometimes downright frightening and anxiety inducing. I began attending many of your weekly meetings through November, when a job opened for me. I found solace and guidance at … Read more
Dalene U.
I’ve attended a few of your events in Gilbert and Scottsdale since returning to AZ and being an active job seeker. I’m happy to report that I’ve been offered a job! I’m over the moon about the offer and couldn’t be more grateful after a long, three month search (that definitely felt much longer…. 🙂 ). I want to thank you for your programs. You have excellent speakers who always energized me when I was needing it most. And your resume reviewer was great. She was a tough cookie with a red pen y… Read more
Becky T.
I just wanted to let you know that there’s a reason why I haven’t come to any recent Career Connectors events. It’s because I found a job! This past week, I started working as a data scientist for a technology startup in the financial services space that’s based in downtown Phoenix. It’s an ideal opportunity for me to break into the data science industry with an exciting company. I wanted to thank you and your staff for putting together all of your fantastic networking events and bringing … Read more
Chris M.
I want to follow up with you about the position I had hoped to get. I got it! And thanks to Jack Milligan’s Salary Negotiation talk, for the first time I didn’t feel like an idiot when I accepted a job. No one else offers that kind of information.  Thank you for all you do. I appreciate your efforts to bless others.  May you and yours be blessed every day. Thank you for everything,
Cheryl
A good friend told me of her success using Career Connectors networking.  She landed an interview and later, a job in her field, after attending one networking event.  So, when it was my turn, I had to check it out. I was starting to get the blues about being unemployed but the speaker lifted me out of the dumps and put my life back in perspective. So many people were there to help and offer support!   Just by networking that day, I was given a job lead that has led to two interviews and a… Read more
Mary B.
After one year of unemployment, I have been employed with an excellent company at a job which is perfect fit for my experience and desires for many months, through the efforts of the devoted volunteers at Career Connectors. I and my family are eternally grateful. Sincere thanks!
Jeff A.
Thank you for all you do! I’ve been nine loooong months looking for a full-time position and Career Connectors was a real life-line. I was pretty discouraged by the time I found your organization on-line and first visited. The speaker provided some great information but most importantly, encouragement and hope. The panel discussion on resumes was incredibly helpful! Last month I had the opportunity to sit with Brenda and she suggested I really pare back all but the last 10 years of experience an… Read more
Robin C.
I wanted to take the time to write you to express my sincerest gratitude for all that you and those who work with you do for so many of us!I lost my job due to our medical office being closed. Your company came highly recommended by an HR person who worked with us as employees to help give us a hand up to become employed again through a very generous program provided by my employer. I am employed again in a job that I really love. It came with wonderful, kind, encouraging management and coworker… Read more
Ann Marie H.
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Services

© 2023 · Career Connectors. All Rights Reserved.