New Jersey Universities Collaborate to Host Big Data Career Fair

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This event marks the first time New Jersey’s higher education institutions have organized a statewide career fair, providing employers with an unparalleled opportunity to recruit the state’s future STEM workforce. The career fair will feature undergraduate and graduate students from twelve NJBDA member institutions, including: Kean University, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rowan University, Rutgers University, Saint Peter’s University, Seton Hall University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Stockton University, The College of New Jersey, and William Paterson University.

On March 8, 2018, the New Jersey Big Data Alliance (NJBDA), a consortium of the state’s leading colleges and universities, are hosting a Data Sciences/Computing Career Fair to connect locally and regionally based employers to students who have experience or expertise in data analytics, computer science, or a related discipline. The career fair will be held between 10:00 am and 2:30 pm at The College of New Jersey in Trenton. The fair is in conjunction with the NJBDA’s 5th Annual Symposium. This year’s theme Big Data: Transforming Tomorrow’s Workplace, reflects the NJBDA’s focus on talent development.

This event marks the first time New Jersey’s higher education institutions have organized a statewide career fair, providing employers with an unparalleled opportunity to recruit the state’s future STEM workforce. The career fair will feature undergraduate and graduate students from twelve NJBDA member institutions, including: Kean University, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rowan University, Rutgers University, Saint Peter’s University, Seton Hall University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Stockton University, The College of New Jersey, and William Paterson University.

Dr. Peggy Brennan-Tonetta (Rutgers University), a founder and President of the NJBDA, stated that “The New Jersey region is one of the top big data employment markets in the U.S. This event will connect local employers to students who have the advanced computing skillsets that are in-demand, keeping more millennials in the region and helping employers to fill key technology positions.” Big data refers to extremely large data sets, as well as the enabling technologies, people, and processes that allow for collection, organization, storage and analysis. The ability to act on insights gleaned through data analysis is crucial to improving the productivity and competitiveness of industry. Data analytics and advanced computing skill sets are in high demand and New Jersey colleges and universities have responded by creating innovative degree and training programs.

Individual companies and entire industries are being impacted by big data, from transportation and logistics, to financial services and agribusiness. The New Jersey Technology Talent Network identified big data and data predictive analytics as two of the top technology trends affecting the state’s key industry clusters. Brennan-Tonetta added that, “big data has become so pervasive and the opportunities it presents so transformative, that the ability to analyze it and glean valuable information is now viewed as essential for competitive growth.”

Students can participate in the career fair and attend the symposium at no cost. Registration is required at njbigdata.org. Companies interested in participating in the career fair should contact Jessica Paolini, Assistant Director of Economic Development at Rutgers, at jessica.paolini@rutgers.edu or (848) 932-3555.