ICS Industry Showcase Drives Innovation
A large crowd of ambitious students stood ready to shake hands, share resumes and network. Recruiters in search of tech-savvy interns and employees readily greeted them, excited to be on the UC Irvine campus for the ICS Industry Showcase, a signature event of the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences (ICS). The annual gathering connects talent and opportunity, providing a space for networking and recruitment and setting the stage for future innovation.
As one of the few stand-alone computer science schools in the nation, ICS is a gold mine for companies looking for up-and-coming tech talent and hands-on research partners. It is home to 3,600 undergraduates and 1,000 graduate students acquiring skills in areas such as AI and machine learning, software development and game design, and data science and analytics in the Departments of Computer Science, Informatics and Statistics.
“Participating in the ICS Industry Showcase job fair at UC Irvine allows SAP to connect with bright, innovative minds who are shaping the future of technology,” says Karina Edmonds, a Senior Vice President at SAP. “UC Irvine’s focus on practical, cutting-edge computer science education aligns with SAP’s commitment to digital transformation and innovation. Engaging with students at this event helps us identify talent with the expertise and vision to drive our industry forward and solve real-world challenges for our customers.”
Connecting Talent & Opportunity
The sixth annual showcase took place October 8 and 9, 2024, with representatives from more than 25 companies setting up shop on campus to talk with thousands of students.
“Once again, I was excited to see the strong participation of our industry partners,” says ICS Dean Marios Papaefthymiou. “Showcasing a wide range of tech companies, from established corporations to startups, in a variety of structured and informal settings, this two-day event offers an unparalleled environment for matching our talented students with employment opportunities.”
In addition to the job fair, the showcase included information sessions with SAP, Google, Pacific Life, CoreLogic, Ubix and CoStar, where students could learn more about what it’s like to work at each of these companies. “The industry showcase is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about different companies and to have one-on-one discussions with HR representatives and current employees,” says data science major Katherine Frields, who spoke during the Pacific Life info session about her summer experience at the insurance company as a data engineering intern. “The showcase gave me the opportunity to learn even more about Pacific Life and to continue networking with the people I met during my internship.”
Each info session had a full audience, and booths at the recruitment fair had lines with hundreds of students. “Participating in the showcase allows us to connect directly with emerging talent, increase our visibility among students, and establish strong partnerships with the School of ICS,” says Jennifer Van Iersel, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Pacific Life. “These events provide an opportunity to engage with motivated, skilled candidates who are interested in considering Pacific Life, enabling us to identify potential interns and hires early in their careers.”
The showcase also included networking events for graduate students. “The Ph.D. networking reception was incredibly valuable,” says software engineering Ph.D. student Ziyao Stephen He, who was thrilled to chat with representatives from Google and Adobe. “Speaking with recruiters from both companies helped me better understand their required and preferred skills, the interview process, and what they prioritize most in candidates. Following these conversations, I updated my resume to align with their preferences and requirements, and I’m now better prepared for upcoming interviews.”
ICS alum Pierce Taylor, now a software engineer at Google, returned to UCI to help students prepare at a workshop prior to the showcase. “As a student, I valued the ICS Industry Showcase as one of the few opportunities to have candid, face-to-face conversations with those who had blazed the trail before me,” he says. “Coming full circle, I was honored to return as a Google software engineer to share my experience and guidance with students. The ICS Industry Showcase continues to be an invaluable opportunity to meet the next generation of talent!”
Setting the Bar High
Students aren’t the only ones to gain valuable insights during the two-day event. In connecting with industry partners, ICS works to ensure its curriculum prepares graduates to address real-world challenges. “At these info sessions and workshops and networking events, when needs are expressed from our industry partners, we listen,” says Jason King, ICS Director of Corporate Relations. “We then turn around and promote these skills in ICS courses, so our students stand out in a competitive market and are ready to hit the ground running. We understand the tech side of business and set the bar high!”
Companies are noticing. “It was a fantastic opportunity for our team at UBIX.AI to engage in meaningful conversations with the future innovators of the tech world,” said Marketing Operations Manager Brittany Eckl in a LinkedIn post about the showcase. “As the largest academic computer science school in California, UCI is brimming with talent. It’s a truly hands-on environment, and the students and faculty are incredibly easy to work with.”
The ICS Industry Showcase is just one of many opportunities for companies to engage with students and faculty. They can also partner with ICS on student capstone projects, cutting-edge research collaborations, and targeted recruitment and networking events. “Through these partnerships, we’re dedicated to supporting industry and advancing society,” says King. “Our goal is to push technological boundaries and drive innovation.”
For information on the ICS Corporate Partners program, which includes an invitation to the annual ICS Industry Showcase event, please contact Jason King at jason.king@uci.edu. For more highlights from the day, visit the Industry Showcase homepage.
— Shani Murray