Recently, a few IGNITE ambassadors shared what they’ve been up to as they communicate the opportunities available in our industry. If you have news like this to share, let us know! If not – we hope these two stories serve as inspiration for how you can help pique interest in students and young professionals!
Ambassador No. 1: Advanced AV
After creating a slideshow that explains who Advanced AV is and what AV is – including lots of pictures to show how AV is applied in different markets and applications – Advanced AV has been spending time at high school and college career fairs to talk to students about careers in AV. The company also uses a virtual reality (VR) model of a few corporate spaces to give students a hands-on way to discover what AV is and how a client uses it.
In addition to attending career fairs, Advanced AV has also participated in local STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) days for middle and high school students, where AV technology is discussed. The company’s slideshow and virtual reality technology are used at these events as well. “The VR is a huge hit with the middle and high school students!” says Angela Johnson, HR director at Advanced AV.
Another Advanced AV employee – Lin Speck – has become heavily involved in the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce Mentoring Program, which pairs her with a local high school junior for a school year. Job shadowing is a major portion of the mentorship program, letting students get to see what working for an integrator is like.
Students who are struggling to make a career choice are recommended by their teachers, selected for admission into the program, and then matched with a mentor – with a goal of growing careers and jobs that will keep talent in the local workforce.
Mentors match their mentees with at least two job shadows in the spring. “The brochure available through IGNITE for educators is the BEST,” says Speck, account executive at Advanced AV. “It has been beneficial in explaining our industry and the types of careers offered. I also share it with other mentors and educators. IGNITE inspired me to get involved.”
The company also focuses on creating partnerships with local technical high schools and colleges, giving presentations throughout the school year to students – as well as offering co-ops, work studies, and internships. Advanced AV plans to work closely with instructors to develop curriculum relevant to today’s technology industry.
Lastly, to help college students get a better feel for the industry, Advanced AV also created a 12-week internship program to expose them to every department within the company. After graduation, students can choose to pursue a career at Advanced AV and enter its Tech in Training program, which offers an accelerated path to becoming a commissioning technician.
Ambassador No. 2: Audability
Audability has forged a relationship with University of Toronto’s ICCIT Council (the student council body for the Institute of Communications Culture and Information Technology). Participating in the group’s fall welcome event, and bringing students in for office tours, helped the company create connections with students.
Audability staff members have also participated in the group’s Portfolio Critique and Networking Nights to help students refine their résumés and interview and networking skills. Internship programs have been created to take these student relationships to the next level.
The company is also in the introductory stages of working with Sheridan College, which offers many design, project management, and marketing programs that offer paths into the integration industry. Attending Sheridan College’s Fall BizTech event connected the company with 50 companies and 500+ students and alumni.
Moving forward, Audability’s goal is to establish a paid co-op program for students, as well as to reach out to alumni resources regarding contract and full-time positions.
Tell us how you’re helping spread the word about careers and opportunities in our industry!