Tech Career Discovery Series

10850 E. Traverse Hwy, Ste. 4400,Traverse City MI 49684

31 January, 2023

Description

Are you considering a career change? Are you a student interested in tech? Do you simply want to learn about emerging hot jobs? Hear tech professionals' career stories and consider if a digital career path might be right for you. What you can expectIn this month's event, we'll be talking about the IT career track. You'll hear from IT professionals at all different levels of their careers: entry-level, mid-career, and senior professionals. Enjoy light refreshments and be our guest for this free community event. Space is limited and pre-registration is requested. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows. Panelists for this event:Wendy Jacobson, Director of IT at Cherry RepublicSophia Masotti-Jordan, IT Specialist at Cambium AnalyticaDoug Nemetz, Desktop Deployment Coordinator (and former intern) at Safety Net, Inc.Who should attend:Anyone interested in learning about how to enter and prepare for a tech career. Anyone who wants to further advance in their current tech career. You will learn:What is it like to work in a “tech job”How to have a tech career and live anywhere – including right here in Northern Michigan!What are the in-demand and critical skills for successful tech careersHow to get started and pursue your tech career pathAbout the Panelists:Sophia Masotti-Jordan | IT Specialist with Cambium Analytica Sophia graduated from Albion College with a sociology degree followed by a year of service with the AmeriCorps Vista creating GED programs for young adults with Michigan Works!. While recruiting with the Girl Scouts she found her love was in technology while helping office mates with computer issues. At the encouragement of her wife, she applied for her first tech job at Safety Net, Inc. and within four years she went from creating tickets to a Level 2 Technician. Sophia has since joined Cambium Analytica where she supports a growing team working on multiple shifts, but she still finds the time to volunteer when MiSTEM called seeking mentors for area youth interested in learning about STEM concepts and careers from regional professionals. Doug Nemetz | Desktop Deployment Coordinator with Safety Net, Inc. Doug earned two degrees, one in Law Enforcement from Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), and the other in International Relations from Grand Valley State University (GVSU). He started on his professional journey just months before COVID hit. At the onset of the pandemic, he realized he wanted to explore other fields and had his first IT-related job at the help desk at NMC. After several months at NMC, Doug applied for an internship at Safety Net, Inc. through the MI STEMForward program in June 2022. He excelled at preparing desktops for deployment. By mid-July, he had been hired full-time and earned the role of Desktop Deployment Coordinator, managing the setup and performing the on-site installation of dozens of computers each month. When he’s not working or learning more about IT, Doug can be found climbing at Elev8 in Traverse City. Wendy Jacobson | IT Director with Cherry Republic Wendy has had an exciting progressive leadership career in IT which brought her back to the Midwest this past summer to accept the position of IT Director with Cherry Republic after several years working in the South Atlantic region. She most recently had been the Director of IT & Telecommunications with Hilton Head Island Beach and Tennis Resort in South Carolina and for several years lead the IT team in academia at Georgia Southern University. Wendy earned her bachelor’s in Information Technology from DeVry University and has a scrum certification. Wendy has an interesting IT career that started literally from the ground up while learning about sophisticated tech by running cables with her trusty set of plyers and crimping tools and soon found herself wanting to be involved with designing those systems. About the Career Discovery Series:This series of events features local tech experts working in various specialties (coding, cybersecurity, data analytics and artificial intelligence). Through in-person panel discussions, the panelists will share their experiences and career journeys, as well as answer your questions. This event is hosted by 20Fathoms and funded with support through the Michigan Industry Cluster Approach (MICA) Grant Program. About us:20Fathoms is the home of technology and entrepreneurship in Northern Michigan. We remove barriers and accelerate career growth through tech career training, talent acquisition, and the advancement of regional strategic initiatives. We also catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship through startup incubation services, business workshops, community partnership, and a vibrant coworking space.