PowerPoint Presentation

Gaining a Competitive Edge

A Special Lecture, Brought to You by the Oracle Academy

As the world's #1 business software company, we are often asked how students studying computer science/engineering, management information systems, or information technology can prepare themselves to be job-ready when they graduate from college. The challenging economic environment has made it difficult for young people with little work experience to compete successfully in todays job market. In response to this challenge, the Oracle Academy has developed an informative and motivating lecture for college students of all ages.1Presentation Availablefacebook.com/thinkquest

academy.oracle.com

This entire presentation, including my remarks, is available for download. You can access it by visiting us on Facebook or the Oracle Academy website.2Todays AgendaIntroduce Oracle and what it does.Discuss how globalization has affected the 21st century workplace.Detail the skills that are most necessary for success in todays workplace.Present how you can transform your existing assignments into a technology portfolio that impresses.Challenge and motivate you to do what it takes to become job-ready.During our discussion today, I am going to:Introduce Oracle and what it does.Discuss how globalization has affected the 21st century workplace.Detail the skills that are most necessary for success in todays workplace.Present how you can transform your existing assignments into a technology portfolio that impresses.Challenge & motivate you to do what it takes to become job-ready.

Oracle OverviewCo-founded in 1977 by Larry EllisonLeader in enterprise software and hardware products# 1 provider of database software (43% market share)370,000 customers in 145 countries108,000 employees, including 29,000 developers & engineers10 million developers in Oracle online communities2+ million students supported/yearOracle Corporation was co-founded by Larry Ellison more than 30 years ago. We are a market leader in enterprise software and hardware products.We are the worlds #1 database software provider and we service 43% of the database market.We support 370,000 customers in 145 countries.29,000 of Oracles 108,000 employees are developers and engineers. We support 10 million developers through our online communities, and more than 2 million students like you through our education initiatives.

Oracle OverviewIndustry# of CompaniesAero and Defense10 of top 10 organizationsEducation and Research20 of top 20 universitiesCommunications20 of top 20 service providersLife Sciences20 of top 20 pharmaceuticalsTravel20 of top 20 airlinesFinancial Services10 of top 10 global banksRetail20 of top 20 retailers#1 in 50 product or industry categoriesWhat type of organizations use Oracle products? Well, we are #1 in 50 product or industry categories.In the financial services industry, for example, 10 of the top 10 global banks use Oracle.In the communications industry, 20 of the top 20 service providers use Oracle.In the life sciences industry, 20 of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies use Oracle.The technology industry is an exciting place to work. Think about Google, Yahoo, Intel, Cisco, Apple, Dell, Microsoft, Oracle, and the many other companies that are creating innovative technology. We are all playing a role in shaping the way people communicate, learn, work, and ultimately, live. 5The Internet changed everything.

Just look at how our lives have changed since the Internet emerged. The Internet changed how we network sociallyhow we pay our billshow we conduct research for class assignments.It changed education.It changed business, how we work, and how products are developed.6Centralized Product Development

Before technology enabled the Internet, product development was often centralized in one location. As a software developer or systems engineer, I would usually work with other employees who were all based in the same building. Our meetings were primarily face-to-face and we collaborated multiple times daily.

7Distributed Product Development

Now, product development is often distributed. I typically work with other employees who are based in different locations, even different countries. While meetings are sometimes face-to-face, conference calls, web conferencing, and email are increasingly my primary vehicles of communication.

8The global economy raised the competitive bar for workers.

The global economy raised the bar for workers. 9Not just by a few inches

And not just by a few inches.

10By several feet.

It raised the bar by several feet.

11The Global Economy

In the global economy, I must be clear in my written and verbal communications. Not doing so may cause scheduling delays. I must be able to solve problems autonomously, without relying on the help I sometimes used to receive from my manager in the office next door or my colleague in the next cube. I must be able to learn new technology quickly, because technology is advancing at a very rapid pace. And my skills must match or best those of my peers internationally.

12How Do You Compete?+-Obtain a degree in a growing field.Global competition is fierce.

Understand the skills employers want.Unemployment is 9.2% in the US1.

Dont be passive. Actively develop your skills!1Source: June 2011, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Trading Economics How do you successfully compete? Beyond acquiring your degree, it is important to understand and actively develop the skills that employers require.What are these skills?

13Technology Skills

Critical Thinking Skills

Communication SkillsThere are three of them:Technology skills.Critical thinking skills.Communications skills.

14Top Technology-related SkillsSQLUnixC, GCC, C++Java, JavaScriptExchangeMS WinNT/2k/XPXML, XSLT, XHTMLHTML, CSSPHP, ASP, CFMSolarisPerlAJAXTCP/IPLinuxAIXNovellPythonIRIXFlashDreamweaver 15To assemble a list of technical skills, several online job sites in the US, Asia, and EMEA, as well as articles regarding technical skills were reviewed.

Career Options for IT StudentsCareer PathsPossible Career OpportunityInformation Support and ServicesComputer information systems managerDatabase administratorHelp-desk specialistProgramming and Software DevelopmentComputer software engineerApplications programmerComputer programmerWeb and Digital CommunicationGraphic artistWeb designerWebmasterNetwork SystemsNetwork administratorPC support specialistSecurity administrator16There are numerous areas that an IT, MIS, or CS graduate could consider. Four career paths any IT student can examine when researching careers in IT are listed here. Possible career opportunities applicable to each of the career paths are also listed.

Mapping Technology Skills to CareersCareer PathTechnology SkillsInformation Support and Services Database administratorSQL, Unix, PL/SQL, Oracle Open Office, XML, Solaris,Programming and Software Development Applications programmerJava, JavaScript, C, C++, GCC, Perl, Python, SQL, PL/SQL, VBWeb and Digital Communication Web designerJavaScript, HTML, CSS, XML, XSLT, PHP, Flash, Dreamweaver17Drilling down one step further, this slide illustrates how the top technology-related skills can be mapped directly to career opportunities.

Example: Software Developer Requirements

Technology SkillsB.S./M.S. or Ph.D. degree in engineering, computer science, or related field.Experience programming in C++ & Java (required), as well as other languages (preferred).Strong technical skills, including understanding of algorithms, systems architecture, and end-user experience.

Critical Thinking SkillsStrong problem-solving and analytical skills.Experience solving complex problems & managing complex project schedules.Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Communication/Collaboration SkillsStrong written and verbal communication skills.The ability to collaborate effectively with remote team members.

I want to show you a typical job posting for a software developer. This job description was taken from a famous computer companys website and, except for the 3 headers that we applied to each section, was only modified slightly. It is very likely that when you look at other technical job descriptions, youll see these 3 skill categories referenced over and over.

18How Do You Compete?+-Obtain a degree in a growing field.Global competition is fierce.

Understand the skills employers want.Unemployment is 9.2% in the US1.

Dont be passive. Actively develop your skills!1Source: June, 2011, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Trading Economics Now that you understand the skills that employers want, how do you actively develop them? There is no shortcut here. Skills dont magically appear out of nowhere. You must build them.

19Developing Your SkillsMicrosoft Imagine Cup

IBM Battle of the Brains

Google Programming Contest

CES Apps for Innovation

HASTAC Digital Media & Learning Competition

http://cplus.about.com/od/glossary/a/ten-contests.htm

Fortunately, several technology companies run competitions to help you do just this. I strongly encourage you to participate in one of the competitions on this slide or the one I am going to discuss in detail now The ThinkQuest Application Development Competition.

20

212121This competition is designed to help you hone the skills you need for the 21st century workplace. I believe it is the only competition out there that evaluates your performance based on the technology, critical thinking, and communication skills you demonstrate. By participating in the ThinkQuest, you can transform your existing assignments into a technology portfolio that impresses and, in the process, show employers that you are job-ready.ThinkQuest Application Development CompetitionForm a team of 1-6 students and 1 coach. Select a problem to solve.Produce an interactive application or game that elegantly solves the problem.Use the programming languages, software and development environments of your choice.Compete in one of two age divisions:18-2217 & Under.22Heres how:ThinkQuest Competition participants select a problem to solve and then produce an application or game that elegantly solves that problem for users. You choose the programming languages, software, and development environment to use. There are 2 age divisions 18 -22 and 17 & under and students may participate as individuals or as a member of a team. Team members can reside in the same country or different countries.

ThinkQuest Application Development CompetitionEntries must be in English. Resources are available on thinkquest.org.Competition closes on April 25, 2012.Test your skills on an international stage.

23ThinkQuest allows you to compete head-to-head with your peers globally. Entries must be in English and the entry submission deadline is April 25, 2012.There are a number of resources on the ThinkQuest website including the competition rules, evaluation guidelines and a self-paced tutorial.

PrizesWinners attend ThinkQuest Live.Experience Oracle OpenWorld with 42,000 global professionals.Receive face-to-face mentoring from top software architects, developers, and usability experts.Develop friendships with peers from around the world.Participate in educational workshops. Be honored at a red-carpet gala with Oracle executives.Winning team members receive laptop computers.

24Winners receive laptop computers and attend ThinkQuest Live, a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the San Francisco Bay area.

Internship Opportunity with the Oracle Education FoundationStudents 18 and older who finish in the top 10% are eligible to apply for a paid internship.Interns hone business and technology skills in one of three areas:Marketing StrategyTechnology StrategyApplied TechnologyStudents who are 18 and over and whose teams finish in the top 10% are eligible to apply for an internship with the Oracle Education Foundation. Eligible students will be able to apply for one of three internship opportunities:marketing strategytechnology strategy or a hands-on technology assignment.

25Additional PrizesTeams that finish in the top 10% will be eligible to receive certificates of distinction.The 10 schools that engage the most teams win $5,000 USD.All teams that submit entries will be eligible to receive certificates of participation.

Winning the ThinkQuest Competition gave me an edge and helped me secure a job as a Software Developer right out of college.Shakeeb26Beyond the great prizes youll win as a top-place finisher, participating in ThinkQuest allows you to impress employers at the click of a mouse with what you can do.

Java, JavaScript, Flash,DreamweaverApplication DevelopmentAlgebrainApplication DevelopmentCollegiacookApplication DevelopmentInternsIncUniversity of Virginia, B.S., Computer SciencePL/SQL, PHP, Oracle Application ExpressBens ResumeLet me show you how. Benjamin submitted his resume to a potential employer via an email that read, I would like to apply for your open software developer position. Attached is my resume. Ben just graduated from the University of Virginia and has some impressive technical skills. He also has a little work experience. He was sales representative at Radio Shack for 6 months, a Mac and PC support specialist for 6 months, and he did some application development and testing work during a summer internship. At the bottom of his resume, Ben has listed some of the technical projects he completed.Bens cover letter and resume likely will not stand out in a stack that includes those from people with technology industry experience. And if his resume does get him an interview, how will he show that he has the requisite skills for success?Ben would be in a much stronger position if he submitted a cover letter like this:

27

Dear Mr. Williams,

I would like to apply for your open software developer position. Attached is my resume.

I possess a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Virginia. In addition to completing my college course requirements over the past four years, I developed the following applications using Java, JavaScript, PHP, PL/SQL, Oracle 10g Express Edition, Oracle Application Express, Dreamweaver, and Flash.

Alegebrain is an interactive game that helps students master Algebra.

www.interns.com is a web application that enables college students to apply for summer internships with employers.

Collegiacook is an online library that helps college students make healthy eating choices.

Please feel free to peruse these applications. If you like what you see, I would be happy to discuss with you my qualifications for your position.

Regards,Ben28Dear Mr. Williams,I would like to apply for your open software developer position. Attached is my resume.I possess a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Virginia. In addition to completing my college course requirements over the past four years, I developed the following applications using Java, JavaScript, PHP, PL/SQL, Oracle 10g Express Edition, Oracle Application Express, Dreamweaver, and Flash.Algebrain is an interactive game that helps students master Algebra.www.interns.com is a web application that enables college students to apply for summer internships with employers.Collegiacook is an online library that helps college students make healthy eating choices. Please feel free to peruse these applications. If you like what you see, I would happy to discuss with you my qualifications for your position.Regards,Ben

29Now, here is Ben in the actual interview. .How did you come to develop the applications in your portfolio?For the past 3 years, Ive participated in ThinkQuest, an application development competition sponsored by the Oracle Education Foundation. During my first year, I built Collegiacook with a team of 3 other students from the University of Virginia. I was the lead programmer for that application and wrote all of the Java and JavaScript code. I also used Dreamweaver and Flash to produce the applications interface. During my second and third years, I decided to team with other students in China, India, and Indonesia. I thought this would be a good way for me to experience the challenge of developing an application across time zones. When we built www.interns.com, I was solely responsible for writing the PHP, PL/SQL, and Oracle Application Express code. I also independently tested the application to ensure its quality. Finally, I was the architect, UI designer, and project manager for Algebrain.How would you rate your technical skills?I think they are very solid. Algebrain won second place in ThinkQuest and the competition attracts thousands of students from all over the world. I am quick to learn new technology. In fact, with each passing year, I challenge myself to learn at least one new language or tool.What did you learn as you developed these applications?The process taught me several valuable lessons, but the 2 most important lessons were:It is enormously important to be a clear communicator when you are working on a team. And clear communication is even more important when your colleagues are in remote locations. I definitely sharpened my written and verbal communication skills while working on these 3 projects.Initiative and the ability to think critically are crucial skills for software developers. On each project, I focused and solved each problem as it came up. Not doing so would have resulted in project delays, which we didnt have time for.Keeping pace with latest technologies is vital. Technologies are rapidly being developed and I intend to remain familiar with the cutting-edge tools.

30Thats impressive! Ben took a few extra steps over and above his regular coursework and it enabled him to answer these interview questions with a voice of experience.

Further Opportunities to Develop SkillsDemonstrate job readiness through other endeavors.Campus/community activitiesClubs and organizationsProfessional associationsIdentify a problem and develop a solution.Add the solution to your portfolio.Impress potential employers.Not competition eligible? No problem. Apply the same approach we discussed to other endeavors. Take a look at your community, clubs and organizations you belong to and identify a problem, provide a solution and add it to your portfolio. Take a few extra steps and just like Ben, you can speak with the voice of experience.In closing today, I promise to challenge & motivate you to do what it takes to become job-ready. I am not much for sugar-coating when it comes to something as important as your future. So, here are the facts:Global competition for jobs is fierce. So fierce, in fact, that a college degree alone is no longer a ticket to great career. Youll need to do more and I hope you will.Look at what doing more can get you.Did you ever imagine that you could go into an interview and potentially sound like that? Ill bet you didnt. But if you are strategic about a.) the projects you select for your portfolio, and b.) the skills you are mastering, you can. You can sound like your own version of Ben!Good luck to you. Im happy to take any questions you may have.

31

32Ben InterviewAllan and Trish SittersonnullSoul123824.68