Tech Focus
Tech Focus brings together guest speakers, panels, workshops, and information sessions from across the tech sector. Tech Focus increases exposure of students to a range of careers and considerations in the industry, while providing Employer Partners with the opportunity to connect with Barnard's exceptional student body.
The series aims to share practical information with students about the ins and outs of pursuing work in tech (including both technical and non-technical roles), while also engaging in conversations about important issues facing (and faced by individuals in) the industry. Students benefit from direct contact with practitioners and talent professionals, while also connecting with each other and building a sense of cohort. Tech Focus concludes with a reception for student and employer participants in the program.
Questions about Tech Focus can be directed to BeyondBarnard@barnard.edu.
Tech Focus Programming
Spring 2024 Tech FOCUS Series Kick Off | Friday, January 26, 12:00pm - 12:45pm
Thinking about working in tech? From startups to scale ups to “Big Tech,” we explore it all. Learn about typical internships and entry level roles (both technical and non-technical), recruitment processes and timetables, and the rewards and challenges of working in tech.
Tech FOCUS is a series of events this semester with companies from across the tech sector. Each event in the series will give students a chance to connect and hear from company insiders sharing information on hiring trends, how to create a strong application, and how to thrive in the industry, as well as ask questions.
Tech Focus: Goldman Sachs Info Session – Women in Engineering | Friday, March 22, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
At Goldman Sachs, we believe who you are makes you better at what you do. For us, it’s all about bringing together people who are curious, collaborative and have the drive to make things possible for our clients and communities. Our Engineering organization, comprised of our Engineering Division, global strategist groups, and Engineering teams within other divisions, build solutions to some of the most complex problems in the industry. From automated trading to managing data, risk analysis to safeguarding information and promoting environmental sustainability, our commitment to best-in-class technology provides Goldman Sachs with a competitive edge. Interested? Come meet Goldman Sachs Engineers as they share perspective on their career, provide insight into their daily work life, and hear more about the importance of increasing female representation and diversity in technology.
Tech Focus: The Good, the Bad and the In-between of Working for a Start-up | Friday, March 22, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Considering an internship or job at a start-up? Wondering how to make sense of all that’s out there? Join us for an informative session with Ludwig Pierre Schulze, Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures and a venture capitalist who has seen it all – or most of it anyway. Schulze will share strategies on effectively assessing the start-up sector, give advice for managing the recruitment process, and offer tips for performing, learning, and thriving in the start-up environment.
Tech Focus: Five Rings Information Session | Wednesday, April 10, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Join Five Rings on campus for an opportunity to learn about our history, a day in the life of our employees, and what makes our company unique. You will also gain insight on our upcoming internship opportunities. Five Rings is a proprietary trading firm with offices in New York, London and Amsterdam, founded with a vision of combining strategy, innovation and technology to succeed in today's global markets. We work in teams - Software Developers, Quantitative Researchers and Quantitative Traders - continuously designing and optimizing.
Special Thanks to Goldman Sachs Engineering for Sponsoring Technology Focus in Fall 2022!
The Data School (Wednesday, Nov. 2; 5:00-6:00 pm EST)
Get on the right track for a career in data visualization. At this session, entrepreneur and head coach of The Data School New York Ann Jackson will introduce students to Tableau, a powerful data visualization software used by many of the world's largest companies. Within minutes, students will start "breaking down" large datasets to uncover the insights hidden within. Ann will also introduce students to an opportunity to join The Data School, a chance to be paid to learn under her coaching for four months, followed by placement as a data visualization consultant at major US corporations. All degree backgrounds are welcome! We encourage students to bring their laptops to the event for the activity portion.
Veeva (Tuesday, Nov. 15; 5:30-7:00pm EST)
Are you looking for more than just a paycheck in your career search? Are you excited to bring meaning to your individual purpose at your future company, while at the same time having a job that gives you the freedom to live your life the way you want? Enter Veeva. Veeva is dedicated to building careers of new university graduates and is one of the leaders in corporate social responsibility within tech. We don't just talk the talk - we also walk the walk by providing employees with flexible work environments, embracing equity, diversity, and sustainability efforts, and giving employees funds to donate to the organizations of their choice within their communities. Come learn about how Generation Veeva does all of this and more! Hear from current engineers, consultants, and analysts about what it's like to work at Veeva and how they feel like they're making a real impact through their work.
Ethics + Technology Alumnae Panel (Wednesday, Nov. 16; 5:00-6:15pm EST)
Questions about the role that ethics plays with respect to technological advances have grown more urgent as tech continues to reshape our interactions with one another and our understanding about ourselves. From data privacy/misuse of personal information, to cybersecurity, inclusive design, data transparency, and the implications of artificial intelligence — and so much in between — stakeholders across industry, government, higher education, and advocacy spaces have important roles to play in these complex conversations. Join a distinguished panel of Barnard alums working at the intersection of tech and ethics, moderated by Saima Akhtar, Associate Director of the Vagelos Computational Science Center. We'll talk about ethics, technology, career paths, and your questions!
Alumnae Chats with Barnard Alumnae at Google business side (Friday, Nov. 18; 12:00-1:00pm EST)
What does it mean to pursue "non-tech roles in tech"? Barnard Alumnae from a wide range of business-based roles at Google will be available to meet with students in small groups and answer questions about their roles, career paths, and experiences at Google. No matter where you are in planning your career, conversations with alumnae can offer you insights and advice as you take your next steps.
LinkedIn 101 (Wednesday, Nov. 30; 5:00-6:00pm EST)
Join us for LinkedIn 101: Unlocking Professional Opportunities, hosted by Barnard alumna turned LinkedIn professionals, Keren Baruch (Director of Product) and Ciana Montero (Business Leadership Program Associate). Together, they’ll take live questions, and cover how to establish your personal brand, build network, and connect to opportunity, all on one platform.
Goldman Sachs Engineering
On-Campus Session (Thursday, Dec. 1; 5:30-6:30pm EST)
Learn what it means to work in technology at a financial services firm. Goldman Sachs Engineering recruiter will share recruiting initiatives and timeline and Engineers will showcase an example of a team’s UX process with a UI demo.
On-Site @Goldman Sachs (Friday, Dec. 2; 11:00am-12:30pm EST)
Join Goldman Sachs Engineering employees and recruiters at their office to hear more about the various job functions and the importance of increasing female representation and diversity in technology. Following this discussion, students and employees will have time to network.