Future Forward 2020-2021 Series

Koby reminds us that “with adversity comes opportunity.” He provides a future outlook for sports entertainment that utilizes technology in new ways including personalization for the fans, different camera angles not seen before, and compelling content. There are a variety of jobs within the sports industry that are appropriate for students of the liberal arts. Do some research to learn more about opportunities and what skills are desirable. Schedule an appointment with a career advisor to discuss industry trends, navigate the possibilities, and identify options that might be a good fit for you. You also have access to Midd2Midd, a great community with members who want to share their career perspectives with you.

Check out these resources: Work in Sports, Prepare for a career conversation, Network, download the white paper,  The Game Has Changed Game – How the Business of Sport is Adapting to Life under Lockdown, read New ways to activate key as NBA restarts season.

Learn more about the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jennifer gave a fascinating future outlook for the technology industry. Some of the innovations that were in the works have been propelled forward due to the pandemic. Technology is affecting nearly every industry from digitization of healthcare to touchless transit. Jennifer suggests for you to evaluate your interests and see if they line up generally to an industry that has potential for high growth because high growth means more jobs, which means more opportunities for you. Talk to as many people in the industry as possible. Start by reaching out to an alum on Midd2Midd. Jennifer also says to try a lot of things when you are young.  Sign up for a free class on LinkedIn Learning and build your skill-set. Employers will seek individuals who can problem-solve, communicate, negotiate and learn.  Be sure to visit the STEM career path page for more resources. Advisors in CCI are available to help you explore your interests and see where you can utilize your strengths.  Schedule an appointment on Handshake!

Shawn provided some great advice for anyone interested in entertainment careers that include writing, acting, and post-production skill-building activities like editing and visual effects.  You can film, direct, and edit your own short film right from your phone.  What a great addition to your online portfolio!  Be sure to make connections with people in the creative arts – they are eager to help. Remember you have access to Midd2Midd, a great community with members who want to share their career perspectives. You can also send a message through LinkedIn, where it is easy to find alumni. Schedule an appointment with a career advisor, learn how to prepare for a career conversation, and network. Be sure to visit the Arts, Media, and Communications career path resource page and check out these options for skill-building and experience opportunities: Upwork, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera.

Further reading: Reopening Hollywood, MovieLabs.

Shows produced by MiddKid Productions.

Kelly is confident that the educational background that you receive from Middlebury provides all the tools necessary to be an asset in a social equity or education field.  Thinkers and innovators are needed who can envision education, not for what it has been, but for what it should be.  The question is where do you want to plug in?  Whether you want to teach, counsel students, work on policy or mental health, or something else, you can make a change.  Steps you can take now:

• Look into taking a mental health first aid class.
• Learn about issues that people in poverty face and find a course or a workshop, perhaps through your local United Way.
• Volunteer for a nonprofit or for a school in your area. Connect with the Center for Community Engagement at Middlebury.
• Research educational policy and funding in your state and attend a local board meeting. Get involved and understand the issues that are facing your community.
• Consider a Master’s in education, school counseling, social work, or nonprofit management.

Advisors in CCI are available to help you explore your interest in education or other careers with a social impact.  Schedule an appointment on Handshake!  

Learn more about The Challenge Foundation. 

Jason says to learn as much as you can about a particular industry or a sector of an industry. When you know the economics of the industry, you will be better equipped to identify potential solutions in that space. Those that excel in venture capitalism have a deep subject matter understanding of the industry in which they are investing. They also have strong analytical skills and extraordinary attention to detail. Having experience with financial modeling, business planning, and valuation techniques can help, as can familiarity with private equity/venture finance concepts. Jason reminds us that you don’t need to go to a venture capital firm to get venture capital experience.

• It is super important to connect with people and stay in touch. Don’t hesitate to email and update people you have reached out to. Remember you also have access to Midd2Midd, a great community with members who want to share their career perspectives with you.
• Acquire knowledge and insight by frequenting VC blogs like FeldThoughts and Both sides of the Table. Follow trends in publications like TechCrunch, PandoDaily, and Mashable.
• Schedule an appointment with a career advisor to discuss industry trends, navigate the possibilities, and identify options that might be a good fit for you.

Check out these resources: Rock Health, a venture fund and advisory services business dedicated to digital health; Brooklyn Bridge Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm dedicated to accessibility and the fostering of open innovation networks; and Kiva, non-profit based in San Francisco, with offices in Bangkok, Nairobi, Portland and staff around the globe.

Learn more about Seae Ventures.

Parker points out that having a liberal arts degree will benefit you entering the workforce.  One of the most important skills you will need in your career is the ability to clearly and concisely communicate.  In addition, strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills will help you succeed in almost any job.  Parker says that you don’t have to be an expert in artificial intelligence (AI), but you need to understand what it is and how it is affecting you.  He advises to be specific and relevant to the moment we are in.  Out of crisis can come innovation.

• Parker talks about how important mentors are.  Remember you have access to Midd2Midd, a great community with members who want to share their career perspectives.

• Check out these resources: Learn with Google AI, MIT Deep Learning and Artificial Intelligence Lectures, and Salesforce Administrator Career Certificate (offered through Pathstream and University of Vermont).

• Be sure to visit the STEM career path page for more resources.

Advisors in CCI are available to help you explore your interests and see where you can utilize your strengths. Schedule an appointment on Handshake!

Learn more about Salesforce.

Suzie provided some great advice to help position yourself for a future in a media technology field - understanding data and in particular, data visualization. She suggested to research the industries that are doing well right now and then look at the career opportunities within those organizations. Suzie also recommended volunteering in organizations which will give you experiences and opportunities to build relationships for the future. Look for opportunities to do independent data analytics projects as well. Find data that interests you, identify a question, and come to some conclusions. The more relevant the data is to you, the better. This can help build your skills and have something to show to a future employer.

Schedule an appointment with a career advisor to discuss these suggestions and more. And remember you have access to Midd2Midd, a great community with members who want to share their career perspectives with you. Be sure to visit the CCI career path page for more resources and check out the following links for skill-building and experience opportunities: Upwork, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, VolunteerMatch

Learn more about Waze.

Kevin advises to be proactive in creating a broader network of people. Seek informational interviews with your personal, professional, and alumni networks to get advice on your career plans and post-graduation life.  Start by reaching out to alumni on Midd2Midd. Explore the various career paths in music and the performing arts such as business, composition, design, education, performance, and production. Internships are a highly valuable opportunity to test-drive career possibilities, develop skills, and gain insight into the many areas of the music industry. Music Ally and Music Business Worldwide are some resources that will help you stay informed so that you are able to speak to the changes driving growth in the industry. Join professional organizations and associations in your field.

• Get your resume reviewed by a Peer Career Advisor (PCA) and practice interviewing with a friend, PCA, or an advisor.
• Write an elevator pitch about yourself and your goals as an artist, and practice pitching it to a Career Advisor.
• Create a polished profile on LinkedIn and use the platform to grow your network, share your skills, research career paths, connect with organizations, and apply for jobs. 
• Visit MiddCreate to learn how to create a digital identity that you can take with you when you leave Middlebury.

Additional resources: Music industry companies hiring now & The College Music Society

Learn more about Sony Music.

Based on the insights Andy shared of AI based careers, the future outlook looks bright. It is becoming increasingly important for the world of commerce to understand and read digital body language. Andy says that prediction is the future. Artificial intelligence is about making it easier to make decisions based on observable patterns and using logic and reasoning to form conclusions. Math and science-related coursework like statistics, probability, cognitive learning theory, language processing, and programming, would be helpful as you consider this career field. Gain experience in Java Script, Python, or MatLab through internships and online platforms. Be sure to check out these resources: Conquer, STEM and Quantitative Skills Support, LinkedIn Learning, Coursera. Schedule an appointment with a career advisor to discuss industry trends, and navigate the possibilities and identify options that might be a good fit for you. You also have access to Midd2Midd, a great community with members who want to share their career perspectives.

Learn more about Faraday.

Andrew reminds us that “it often takes a major crisis to see an acceleration of change.” What a great time for purpose driven individuals to have an impact and to be thinking of a career in sustainability.  Opportunities have surfaced in many areas including transportation and urban development as people re-think habits amidst the pandemic. Andrew encourages you to reach out to someone in this field to begin a career conversation.  Access your alumni network on Midd2Midd.  Andrew also suggests getting involved in a political campaign as a way to gain experience. VoteRunLead focuses on helping women run for and win political office and offers trainings in the areas of communications and fundraising.  Check out these additional resources for opportunities to build your skill set Network, Campaign Jobs, Upwork.  Be sure to visit the social impact career path page for more resources and schedule an appointment with a career advisor to discuss industry trends, navigate the possibilities, and identify options that might be a good fit for you. 

Learn more about Lime.