SIGNAL hosted 15 local tech companies in our Dunedin studio this month for speed meetings with SHIFT students.
Speed Networking events are one way we continue to build strong connections and networks between students and the tech industry, and this event was another great opportunity for industry to meet our diverse and dedicated SHIFT cohort for a placement starting in October.
A highlight for SIGNAL was the return of 2018 SHIFT graduate, Martyn Haigh. Martyn joined the AbacusBio team as a full-time software developer after completing his SHIFT industry placement there in 2018. We love to see our graduates returning to this event as industry professionals, and what a great example for our students to see the success of the SHIFT programme (and industry placements) first-hand!
“The speed networking event was an excellent opportunity to fast track my connections with local businesses that aligned with my skill set and interests.” - SHIFT student, Christena Ong.
Matching a SHIFT student with an industry-based project gives the student over 200-hours of real-world tech experience as part of their one-year programme. These companies benefit by having projects completed and the energy, fresh ideas and excitement these students bring.
The businesses were very impressed with the quality of the cohort and the wide-ranging skills they can bring to the table.
Abbe Hyde of Winely, attending her first SHIFT Speed Networking event, said that she was "blown away by the level of talent and motivation in the room, left completely inspired... wish we could host all the students!"
PocketSmith's Head of Marketing Dora Yip commented, "it was a fantastic event! I met 13 incredibly talented humans, each of whom would be an asset to any team. Their diversity of skills, passions, and backgrounds was a particular highlight."
The students were also very impressed with the variety of companies and scope of opportunities they have to offer, and are excited to see where their industry project will take them.
SHIFT student, Jiro Ishida said “the event was a great chance to learn about the projects that companies had lined up for us. It allowed me to get a glimpse of the people behind the businesses, and there were plenty of opportunities related to my coursework. I’m looking forward to the upcoming placements and applying my skills!”
We would like to thank those who attended our Dunedin SHIFT 2020 Speed Networking event, supporting new talent and the Dunedin tech industry, by helping develop new tech professionals:
- AbacusBio
- ADInstruments
- Aurora Energy
- Bpac NZ
- Blue Jeans Network
- Codrivr Advanced Driving Simulation
- Computer Concepts Ltd
- Flock Consulting
- Investamatch
- MTF Finance
- OB3
- PocketSmith
- The Logic Studio
- Winely
"So many companies were generous with their time and encouraged us to find a niche with them" - SHIFT student, Martha Bell.
The students are well prepared to add value to their industry hosts after completing three challenging studio projects as well as their elective papers this year.
We wish all parties future success in the upcoming projects, and look forward to seeing the results of the project later this year.
