IBM to hold first virtual career summit

CEBU, Philippines - While IBM has recognized the Philippines’ ability to produce next generation scientists, the company announced the holding of its first virtual career summit for university and college students, a global talent development initiative that will be launched in 11 countries, including the Philippines.

To be held on September 19 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the IBM Career Exploration is a half-day online virtual event experience designed for forward-thinking university and college students.

This interactive activity will engage participants in an information exchange and discuss the various career opportunities in IBM. Students from across the nation are encouraged to participate, as attendees can explore the information booths to better understand what IBM can offer, and learn how to best position oneself in the marketplace.

For the Philippines, at least eight virtual information booths will be available to showcase IBM’s globally integrated capabilities. The different booths include: Recruitment, business units for IT Sales & Distribution, IT Consulting & Services, Corporate Citizenship, Career Growth, New Employee Experience, and Smarter Planet. These booths will be manned by IBM experts, who will interact with participants via live chat. Participants will also have a unique opportunity to know more about recent and relevant IBM technology services like social media analytics.

“IBM has long practiced the art and the science of developing the world’s best business and technology professionals. For over 100 years, IBM has worked to support and foster this distinctive brand of thinker and doer, also known as the IBMer.  The Career Summit demonstrates IBM’s continued commitment to the Philippines and developing global professionals,” said Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, President and Country General Manager, IBM Philippines.

Earlier, Winhoffer announced the company’s effort in helping the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) craft an analytics-based curriculum that will boost the number of Filipino “data scientists”.

Initially, the company is presently touching base with several universities in Cebu  such as the University of Cebu (UC), Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT), University of San Jose Recoletos ( USJR), and currently negotiating with the University of San Carlos (USC), as well as Silliman University in Dumaguete City.

She said that IBM will take the lead in providing the next generation's new wave of "data scientists", or what she described as "sexy new professionals."

Already, IBM and CHED signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) late last year, while it has gotten an approval by the technical board, the proposal will still go through several processes in the government, Winhoffer said.

Part of the proposal is for IBM to deploy experts to train the teachers. Also, industry leaders will invited to join the formulation of final program "so that they will be able to participate in the educational formation," in providing the pool of Filipino data scientists in the next few years.

"Analytics is changing the game for companies starting today in order to face much challenging future," said Winhoffer. /JOB (FREEMAN)