‘The Big Day In’ Comes Alive
In 2013, the Big Day In Student Conferences are back and bigger than ever. Check out the Big Day In Page for your nearest event.
In 2012, the Big Day In started as a twinkle in an eye, less than six months ago. Now a new student initiative has been born which will live for years to come.
The Big Day In was conceived by two UTS students – Cameron Drury and Alex Giangrasso. Knowing there was dissatisfaction with the existing level of career information for IT students, Cameron and Alex wanted to provide career opportunities in a compelling way. The Big Day In would have to convince students that it was worth devoting their time to learn about decisions that can change their lives. “If the Big Day Out delivers a personal high, then the Big Day In will have to deliver a career high”, said Alex.
After consulting with the UTS BiG IT student society, they decided that wanted to create a unique and intimate student conference that would ‘Build Opportunities for Successful Students’. Sensing a desire for senior high school and university students to have personal access and more intimate conversations with industry leaders, they started planning their event.
What they delivered on May 28th, 2012 was a high quality student driven conference that attracted executives from IBM, Westpac, Coca-Cola, Deloitte, CBA, Microsoft, Wise-tech Global, and many more. Hundreds of IT students from UTS and other NSW universities and even selected high schools converged on the Arial Function room for one purpose – to strategically build a successful IT career.
The Big Day In’s DNA consisted of 7 key-note presentations, speed networking ‘sales pitches’, an exhibitor fair, and plenty of drinks and cocktails. David, one the the students, said, “It fulfilled all of my expectations and more, incorporated all of my feedback, and was all round a great event. I really liked the opportunities to ask presenters questions, both at the end of their presentations and during the networking session.” Another attendee proudly proclaimed, “I had many fantastic opportunities relating to my next internship in either the consulting or finance sector, and have about 20 new industry contacts on LinkedIn now, from the CIO of Westpac to recruiters at IBM, Deloitte, CBA and Microsoft.”
One of the sponsors, Fast-track Communications even provided a V8 supercar Hotlap as an event prize. The Hotlap winner, Brandon Cowan, is a successful student and entrepreneur himself, having already created his own enterprise – Crazy Dog Apps. With so many talented students and industry professionals in one place, innovation and opportunity are the natural outcome.
As the Big Day In moves into 2013, it is expected that it will grow into 2 events, one specifically meeting the needs of year 12 high school students and one focused on students studying IT and university. The fact that the Big Day In attracted career advisors, students and IT teachers from key high-schools including Epping Boys High, Winmalee High School and Riverview High, proved that there is demand for this concept to grow further.
Keep an eye out for the next development stage of this exciting initiative.