Reboot Your Career: Panel Discussion and Breakfast Event

On Friday, February 1, Penn State Great Valley presented Reboot Your Career:  Achieving Success in the Changing Field of Technology, a free networking breakfast and panel discussion for business professionals, students, and alumni. The event was widely successful as attendees braved the icy morning weather conditions to hear keynote speaker Dr. Robert T. Kelley, chief operating officer and founding partner of Liquid Hub provide insights on the IT industry.

Kelley discussed globalization and its affect on technology careers, and how even local companies are affected by the global economy. He stressed that professionals must brand themselves, and pointed out that creativity and updating one’s skills are crucial for success. Kelley noted that the most valuable people in an organization will be professionals who can be savvy about business, understand how all the pieces come together, make meaning out of technology, and know how to use it. He urged tech professionals to consider the power of advanced education to challenge and change the way they think.  To see Dr. Kelley's presentation in PDF format, click here.

A panel discussion entitled Voices of Experience:  Tips & Tools to Help you Move your IT Career Forward followed, moderated by Phillip A. Laplante, Ph.D., P.E.  Panel members included alumni Eric May, manager of pre-sales and consulting at FullTilt Solutions Inc., Robin Roberts, vice-president of human resources at Harrah’s Casino, Ken Sassa, software support analyst at First Consulting Group, and Georgia Gordon-Martin, senior manager of compensation, benefits and HRIS at De Lage Landen Financial Services Inc. [links to their full bios listed below]

Panelists said that they look for people who can understand how to apply technology to business, and how technology provides value to a company. Robin also pointed out that service and innovation were also very important. Georgia spoke of her Penn State education as having helped her develop her creativity and knowledge of IT management and business. Ken explained that he looked for people who communicate clearly, liked to teach others, and demonstrated the ability to learn hard skills.

Another point the panelists made was the importance of networking, and how one’s connections are most valuable to find the right job. Job-seekers should use Web 2.0 and networking resources such as LinkedIn to their advantage, but be cautious of social networks that may seem less professional, such as My Space. The underlying theme of the discussion was that event though technology is becoming commoditized, good employees are not.

An open house followed the panelist discussion, enabling attendees to talk to the keynote speaker, panelists, Penn State faculty, and program representatives. The event was held in the Warren V. Musser auditorium in the Safeguard Scientifics Building between 7:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Panelists

Robert T. Kelley, Ph.D., chief operating officer and founding partner of LiquidHub, a systems integrator and technology consultancy.

Dr. Kelley leads solution development, marketing, and strategic sales. In addition, he serves as an executive consultant to clients, advising them on emerging technologies and the integration of technology with business strategy.

Prior to starting LiquidHub, Dr. Kelley was a partner and vice-president at Broadreach Consulting, where he created and led the organization’s Internet and eBusiness practice, and was later responsible for marketing and alliance management and new business development. Previously, Dr. Kelley was the manager of software development for Right Management Consultants, where he led global software development, and a project and team leader for Information Technologists, Inc. where he led software development, technology strategy, and technology education engagements.

Dr. Kelley received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla, and his master’s and doctorate degrees from Indiana University, where he investigated the cultural implications of virtual reality. He is currently a fellow of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Eric May, M.S. ’05, Manager of Pre-Sales and Consulting, FullTilt Solutions Inc., Wayne

Eric has over fifteen years of experience selling, marketing, managing, and developing information technology, with an emphasis on supply chain management solutions and working with small and mid-sized technology companies. He currently manages pre-sales/sales-consulting activities for FullTilt Solutions, the leader in Product Information Management (PIM) solutions. Eric received a bachelor of science in Business Logistics from Penn State in 1995 and a master of science in information science from Penn State Great Valley in 2005.

Robin Roberts, M. Ed., Vice-President of Human Resources, Harrah’s Casino, Chester

Robin has fifteen years experience in human resources in the gaming and financial services industries, and has also worked in education and for the state of Delaware. She currently serves on the board of City Team Ministries in Chester, Pennsylvania, and Pathways to Success in Wilmington, Delaware. A member of the Society for Human Resource Management, Robin earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware and a master of education degree from Penn State Great Valley in instructional systems.

Ken Sassa, M.S. ’07, Software Support Analyst, First Consulting Group, Wayne

Ken holds both his baccalaureate and graduate degrees in engineering from Penn State.  Most recently, he completed a master of science in software engineering at Penn State Great Valley. A month later, he accepted a position as a software support analyst in the Life Sciences Division of First Consulting Group.

Georgia Gordon-Martin, M. Mgmt. ’98 and M.S. ’01, Senior Manager of Compensation, Benefits and HRIS, De Lage Landen Financial Services Inc., Wayne

Georgia obtained a master of management (1998) and a master of science in information science (2001) from Penn State Great Valley. She was selected for the Warren V. Musser Graduate Fellowship from 1998 to 2001 and worked at Safeguard Scientifics during that time. She has extensive business experience and most recently has worked for Unisys Corporation and Sanofi-Aventis. She currently works as a senior manager of compensation, benefits and HRIS at De Lage Landen Financial Services Inc. Wayne, PA.