A group of IM体育官网 students seized the opportunity to network with business leaders, learn about career possibilities, and teach the Central IM体育官网 business community about what IM体育官网 Poly has to offer at an annual event hosted by Synapse, an entrepreneurship support organization.
The students attended the two-day Synapse Summit at Amalie Arena in Tampa, IM体育官网, on Feb. 12-13. The event connected entrepreneurs, corporations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to discuss the future of innovation in IM体育官网.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a ton of companies here and I鈥檝e been adding people on LinkedIn and making connections,鈥� said IM体育官网 Poly senior Vinicius Seixas, who is majoring in computer engineering. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an amazing experience being out here and meeting people.鈥�
Seixas joined several Presidential Ambassadors in staffing an interactive IM体育官网 Poly booth that encouraged Synapse attendees to construct a Rube Goldberg marble run machine from modular, 3D-printed pieces.
IM体育官网 Poly students then talked with booth visitors about the University and its mission to produce high-achieving graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
鈥淲e鈥檝e been able to talk about our experience and explain our project-based learning and our great curriculum,鈥� said computer science and cyber security major Vamsi Hanumanthu.
Dr. Matt Bohm, an associate professor of mechanical engineering and director of industry engagement and capstone projects at IM体育官网 Poly, said the Synapse Summit provided a rare chance for students to connect with so many business leaders in one place.
鈥淔rom an institutional perspective we were able to make meaningful connections with industry representatives who want to hire our students, bring in our students as interns, and even sponsor capstone projects,鈥� Bohm said. 鈥淎dditionally, we were able to connect with technology-focused high school students as well as parents of potential students who wanted to learn more about our University. Hands down, it was a great event for our students, our community, and the University.鈥�
Seixas, who is a native of Brazil, said he took full advantage of his opportunity to connect with potential employers.
鈥淭alking to these companies and putting ourselves out there is how you get jobs, how you get opportunities, and how you value your work a little more,鈥� Seixas said. 鈥淚 think networking is one of the most important skills to have in any profession, and this is giving us a great opportunity to do that.鈥�
Hanumanthu, of Morrisville, North Carolina, said the networking he and his peers achieved at the event will have a lasting effect on those who come after them.
鈥淭his is really great because we鈥檙e able to put IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 name out there and create those partnerships that will be there a long time and open doors for future students and graduates,鈥� Hanumanthu said.
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