Global Info Tech Companies Encourage Students to Pursue Careers

Eli Whitney Technical High School hosted a “Technology Day” featuring major Information Technology (IT) companies including Xbox, AT&T, Travelers and Infosys. Company representatives spoke with IT students about career pathways in the industry and shared tips on finding career success.

“Have passion and curiosity,” said Charles Anim, a Developer from Xbox.

Tobi Oshin, AT&T

Anim’s other pointers included networking, leveraging all available resources, preparing your elevator pitch, and preparing for every interview.

Tobi Oshin, a Design Manager with AT&T and an immigrant from Nigeria, spoke to students about overcoming challenges.

“IT is one field where you are guaranteed a secure job,” he said. “The skills you possess as a computer scientist overshadow any challenges you might face. Problem solve, analyze, fix things….these are the types of people that companies are looking to hire.”

Nearly 60 students studying IT at the technical high school were in attendance and asked the presenters questions about work environments and what software programs are most important to learn.

Jeff Aucker, Infosys

Jeff Aucker, an advisory board member for Connecticut’s technical high schools and the Innovation & Technology Hub lead in Hartford, CT, told students to “be in a mode of constant learning.”

Aucker shared he cannot hire people quickly enough, echoing the other presenter’s comments on the significant job openings in the field.

He left students with two themes: Build and Be.

“I want to know what you can do with your skills,” he said. “Show me what you built. Even better, show me what you and a team built.”

He also talked about Being in the sense that individuals should be aware of how they command the space they take up in a room and have a good sense of who they are.

“Know what you want to achieve,” Aucker said.

Eli Whitney Technical High School offers grade 9-12 students eleven career technical education programs to choose from. The IT program provides instruction in hardware, software, programming, web design and more. Following general study in IT, students select a pathway from among six options including Management Information Systems; Interactive Web Content and Digital Media; Computer Science and Programming; Computer Networking and CyberSecurity; Hardware Troubleshooting; and Web Development.