Bridging Manitoba’s post-secondary talent with tech employers in our community
Many experts believe that up to 85 per cent of jobs are gained through networking. For many students, it can be daunting to find these opportunities and even harder to know what to say. This is why Tech Manitoba reignited Career Connections for Disrupted 2022. The virtual two-part event powered by RBC Future Launch.
Did You Know? 7.4 per cent of the Manitoba ICT workforce is comprised of youth between 15–24 compared to 15 per cent of Manitoba’s overall workforce. (This is likely due to the education requirements of ICT jobs, relative to the average).
Events like Career Connections offer a bridge between new local talent and Manitoba tech organizations. During the Disrupted conference, Tech Manitoba welcomed over 130 post-secondary students, and career liaisons and industry recruiters looking to network and hire during the afternoon segment.
Getting Connected
From financial services and lottery to IT managed services and AgTech, seven companies had the opportunity to introduce themselves to the students. The diverse businesses demonstrated that a career in tech can take many paths and made their pitch on why these fresh job hunters would find meaningful work with them. Tech Manitoba organized these pitches in two waves, breaking off into allotted networking periods to allow students the chance to speak with each representative.
Meet the Career Connections participating companies.
Did you know? Between 2021–2025 there will be approximately 2,200 job openings in the Manitoba ICT sector? Information systems analysts and consultants, computer programmers and interactive media developers, and computer network technicians are expected to yield the most job openings.
RBC Future Launch: Coaches Corner
Coaches Corner gave students a space to work through their nerves and get networking advice plus interview tips before speaking with industry reps. Hosted by RBC Future Launch, their company experts prepped students with valuable advice to launch them into the future of work.
Tips to prepare for success!
Lauren Mark, Director, Co-Op, and New Grad Programs at RBC, told students, “imagine any job in tech — we probably have it at RBC.” She introduced Coaches Corner with three tips:
Don’t be afraid to try something new. Lauren was reluctant to take a lateral move, but her mentor convinced her to go for it and it opened up her career.
What you learn in school is not at all what it’s like in real life. Be kind to yourself.
Like what you are doing. It makes everything better.
Coaches Corner with Naomi Ing Manager, Tech New-Grad Program at RBC
Julia Rikic, Curriculum Design Manager at RBC
When it comes to elevator pitches for technologists, Naomi cautions against getting super gritty about the details. Instead, show people the way you think and your processes, including soft skills. Use a few buzzwords but do not get too technical. Julia says don’t worry if you don’t have work experience. Instead, focus on projects you’ve worked on and the initiative you took.
Prepare your pitch in advance
It’s a work in progress — focus on who you are, what you do and what you are interested in
Keep it under a minute long
Always have a catchy statement: “People always compare me to the other Naomi”
Have a cool call to action
Valuable tip: Constantly say people’s names when networking. Naomi says don’t force it but do aim to try saying it three times in a session. It will make people have a connection with you.
Coaches Corner with Rachael Rishworth, Manager, Amplify Program at RBC and Noah Aiken, Director, Academic and Strategic Relationships, Early Tech Talent at RBC
Rachael says having links to your LinkedIn and specific tech experience portfolios like GitHub is key for when you connect with people who want to explore your work. Don’t just use these platforms to show off your projects. Use your resume to explain the ownership you took as a contributor, how you did it and why. Show off your current skillset and where an organization can help you grow.
Sometimes people mistake networking simply as job searching, but it’s an opportunity to share common goals and interests. And anyone can be part of your network! Family, friends, teachers, part-time employers — keep the mindset that anyone can be a connection.
Noah’s notes for the nervous networker
Have a short, tight script for yourself (hello elevator pitch!)
Use this to go straight into who you are and what you are looking for
Recognize being introverted is a superpower
Most people can’t stop talking so take this opportunity to listen
Follow up with good questions to show you are interested
Making Manitoba Tech Connections
Manitoba organizations need to attract and retain a high-quality base of local technology-savvy talent to thrive in a digital economy.
Did you know? The ICT industry in Manitoba is booming. The ICT sector contributes $1.8 billon to the province’s GDP. And there are approximately 9,300 Manitobans employed in the sector.
Tech Manitoba will continue working with our province’s tech industry and post-secondary students at events like Disrupted and Career Connections to make these opportunities possible.
Thank you to the companies and post-secondaries that participated. Disrupted and Career Connections will return on September 29.
