August 31, 2020
During a typical recruiting season, the halls of Sitterson are filled with corporate partners tabling in the lobby and engaging in in-person panel discussions, networking events, or whiteboard parties. Today’s environment has called for a creative spin on this upcoming recruiting season to maintain the quality of the on-campus experience. This semester, with the support of UNC Computer Science’s Corporate Partners Program, the department is planning events and networking opportunities which have been reimagined for an engaging online environment.
Replacing the traditional format of these in-person events, we will be utilizing multiple platforms to provide different opportunities for connection. UNC CS will bring a lineup of events to help students be successful in a virtual recruiting environment. To kick things off, Resume Reboot provides students with an opportunity to have 15-minute individual resume review sessions with top industry recruiters. Throughout the fall, qualifying corporate partners will be highlighted in the Company Days programs, where these organizations will each receive a dedicated day to promote their positions, tech, and what it’s like to work at the company.
Other key events include Tech Panel Discussions, providing students with an opportunity to learn more about the recruiting landscape during the COVID-19 crisis as well as panels that highlight the many options available to graduates in a variety of tech-related fields; the Tech Career Fair, a department-hosted virtual event that will allow students to move to numerous virtual booths of employers just like an in-person career fair event; and a diversity in tech virtual event with networking opportunities for students and partners. We also expect to add virtual tech talks and virtual whiteboard parties, based on partner interest.
The creation of an opt-in LinkedIn Group, “2020-21 UNC CS Career Hub,” will provide students participating in the recruitment process a space to engage with recruiters from top tech companies, as well as gain valuable career development information through timely articles shared from CS Career Development Coordinator Stephanie Johnson, all in an engaging online, easy-to-access format.
This summer, student members of the UNC CS Summer of Code program helped to develop a UNC CS Resume Database, designed to allow for ease of access to student-uploaded profiles and resume information. Access to this database will be provided to corporate partners, allowing students the opportunity to get their information in the hands of top industry recruiters.
Recognizing that students will be spending significant time in video calls, email, chats, or other online platforms, we have narrowed down events to meet the needs of students in a timely fashion. All events and programs will have some sort of asynchronous access, allowing for students across the country and world to access information from industry experts and connect with recruiters in the field as part of the fall recruiting season.