IT Career Guide by m

IT Career Guide 2015/16 GO VERNMENT OF BERMUDA The Ministry of Economic Development The Department of E-Commerce Inside Features 2 Scholarships available in Bermuda 3 Top 25 programs 4 Top STEM colleges 10 Bermuda College 13 Technology Leadership Forum

Letter from the Minister Dr., The Hon. E. Grant Gibbons, JP, MP Minister of Economic Development

This is an exciting time for students who want to specialize in Information and Communication Technologies. ICT is used by most of us most of the time and Bermuda now needs ICT specialists more than ever. Technology plays an integral part in our lives. We use it in many ways. It facilitates much of what we do on a daily basis â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at school, at work, and at home. It is also making a big difference in the efficiencies and synergies necessary for Bermuda to succeed in the health services, banking, communications, charitable work, and the media, to mention but a few. Because technology is increasingly relied upon, we need professionals in growing numbers. As such, careers in ICT are increasingly taking centre-stage, feeding an increasing diversity of sectors and career pathways. Some of these career pathways are available locally and others include overseas experience. Some are well-known, while others are found in surprising places. All have one thing in common: employers continue to require ICT professionals with strong skills in various specializations. This Career Guide is intended to give you a head-start as you explore an ICT-focused career. Within it you will find advice on networking, career planning, online reputation management, as well as information on local scholarships and recommended tertiary education/STEM institutions. The Career Guide will also provide examples of the diverse career paths available to you, discussions of timely topics in the ICT field, and information on where to start, what to expect, and whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expected of you. This is your Guide. Please use it. Take charge of your career and prepare yourself for the future. Welcome to the 2015/16 ICT Career Guide.

Dr., The Hon. E. Grant Gibbons, JP, MP Minister of Economic Development 1

Scholarships available in Bermuda Study Level

Scholarship Name

Amount

Deadline

Associate

St. John's IT Scholarships

up to $10,000

30 June 2016

Undergraduate

ABIC Education Awards

$15,000.00

10 April 2016

BFIS Hamilton Scholarship

$25,000.00

30 April 2016

BFIS Undergraduate Scholarships

up to $25,000.00

30 April 2016

BTC Sir John W. Cox Career Development Award

$20,000.00

31 May 2016

CAPITAL G Scholarship Awards

$10,000.00

15 April 2016

Ewan Sampson Scholarship Trust

$12,500.00

31 May 2016

RenaissanceRe Undergraduate Scholarship

$25,000.00

10 April 2016

St. John's IT Scholarships

up to $10,000

30 June 2016

The Digicel Bermuda Scholarship

$5,000.00

31 July 2016

Validus Scholarship

$20,000.00

30 April 2016

XL Scholarship

varies

30 April 2016

ABIC Education Awards - Post Graduate Scholarship

$20,000.00

10 April 2016

BFIS Post-Graduate Scholarship

up to $25,000.00

30 April 2016

CAPITAL G Scholarship Awards

$10,000.00

15 April 2016

St. John's IT Scholarships

up to $10,000

30 June 2016

total of $48,000/4 years

Post Graduate

Other Scholarship Bank of Bermuda Foundation Information Technology Scholarship

The Top 25 Ranked Computer Science Programs with the Best Return on Investment Below is a list of 25 universities of which the computer science degrees have been ranked by order of ROI.

The money spent on your higher learning is usually a hefty sum. Committing to spending the ever-increasing annual tuition and fee costs, even with the help of scholarships and financial aid, is a decision that takes substantial research, discussion, and planning.

Best Value School Schools Names 1 California Institute of Technology

Obtaining a maximum return on that significant investment in your education is therefore a must. Not only is it important to attend a well-respected institution of tertiary education, it is also crucial to make sure that your computer science degree carries a high return on your investment (ROI).

2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3 Stanford University 4 Georgia Institute of Technology 5 Harvard University

As you’re researching the best degrees and universities possible, you’ll certainly come across the yearly Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). A survey on higher education published by The Economist in 2005 framed ARWU as “the most widely-used annual ranking of the world’s research universities”. Burton Bollag, a reporter at Chronicle of Higher Education wrote that ARWU “is considered the most influential international ranking”.

6 Princeton University 7 Carnegie Mellon University 8 University of California - Berkeley 9 Columbia University 10 Cornell University 11 University of California - San Diego 12 University of Illinois - Urbana/Champaign

Well-recognised globally, this ranking uses five objective indicators to rank world universities, including: √ the number of alumni and staff winning Nobel Prizes and Fields Medals, √ the number of highly-cited researchers selected by Thomson Reuters, √ the number of articles published in journals of Nature and Science, √ the number of articles indexed in Science Citation Index - Expanded and Social Sciences Citation Index, and √ the per capita performance of a university.

13 Yale University 14 University of California - Santa Barbara 15 University of Maryland - College Park 16 University of Texas at Austin 17 University of California - Irvine 18 University of Washington 19 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor 20 University of California - Davis 21 University of California - Los Angeles 22 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

While only 500 universities are ranked by ARWU, more than 1,200 universities are actually researched according to the above criteria every year.

23 Purdue University - West Lafayette 24 University of Massachusetts - Amherst 25 Ohio State University - Columbus

Not Interested in a University Setting? See the Top U.S. STEM Colleges One customarily thinks that STEM degrees are only earned in large campuses. However, some of the most respected institutions where STEM degrees can be earned are small colleges. Below, you can see the top-ranking STEM colleges in the U.S. which were ranked according to their relative size, the research opportunities that they provide, the awards and recognition that they have received, and the variety of STEM majors that they offer 2. Ranking

School Name

Location

Stevens Institute of Technology

New Jersey

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Massachusetts

Andrews University

Michigan

George Fox University

Oregon

Earlham College

Indiana

Albion College

Michigan

Millikin University

Illinois

McMurry University

Texas

St. Lawrence University

New York

Harvey Mudd College

California

Colorado College

Colorado

St. Mary's University

Texas

Colorado School of Mines

Colorado

Davidson College

North Carolina

Williams College

Massachusetts

Westminster College

Pennsylvania

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

New Mexico

Connecticut College

Connecticut

Christopher Newport University

Virginia

Colby College

Maine

St. Mary's University of Minnesota

Minnesota

Niagra University

New York

US Coast Guard Academy

Connecticut

Miles College

Alabama

Wofford College

South Carolina

http://www.bestdegreeprograms.org/top-schools/great-small-colleges-for-stem-degrees

StartUp Weekend On March 16-18, 2015, Bermuda held its first ever StartUp Weekend (SUW) at Mount St. Agnes Academy (MSA). Since then, it has held two additional StartUp Weekends, promoting entrepreneurship through this templated 3-day programme. Startup Weekend is an intense 54-hour event that inspires, empowers and educates current and aspiring entrepreneurs. During a SUW, individuals present business ideas, form teams, create products, share insights and launch startups. It all begins with 30-second open-mic pitches on the Friday night, where attendees bring their business ideas to the rest of the group and encourage them to vote for it. The ideas with the most votes get developed further until a minimum viable product (MVP) is achieved.

that no one would support her idea, and importers to monetize their unused space by hesitated to even pitch it on the Friday. She giving customers a “name your price” option. says: “I was shocked not only that my pitch The team was led by Kenaz Lodge who said was chosen in the first round, but that my “Startup Weekend is awesome! Working business concept actually won first place!” with a team allowed me to further develop But that should have been no Ethan Bagley, SUW Global facilitator surprise. As soon as it was “Ever have an idea you were so excited about, you couldn’t sleep? What formed, the group quickly found did you do with it? Who did you tell? I’ve been there and I can tell you their rhythm and worked around that if your idea involves technology, you’re going to need some help! the clock. They got busy not only This could be peers, mentors, or potential creating a website, Facebook customers. Figuring out the right way to pursue page and flyer but also taking your technology idea is where events like Startup to the community to stress-test Weekend can help you (and your idea) shine. And their idea, gauge consumer that’s why I love participating in Startup Weekend. interest, and garner feedback. When people come together with their ideas,

they can take shape and fly!” For months, Jonathan Dill was toying with a potential business idea. He mentioned it to a work colleague who my initial business idea and encouraged him to pursue it but he soon lost momentum. After hearing about to formulate a workable the SUW which was to be held in business model. Look out for Shiply in the Sloane Chinapoo, SUW Chair near future.” December 2015, he decided to “My favorite part of Startup Weekend was seeing people whose pitches participate. His plan was simply to Bermuda Startup Weekend is a part of a weren’t chosen staying on to learn and assist someone else. It truly shows the Bermudian spirit because you don’t have to pitch to participate, and help someone else develop their global network of passionate leaders and you don’t have to come in with a winning idea to benefit from the event. own business idea. entrepreneurs on a mission to inspire, It is an eclectic learning experience that forces you to step outside the box as both educate, and empower individuals, teams a designer and as an entrepreneur. The support of local coaches is phenomonal.” Jonathan says: “The SUW team was very encouraging and at the and communities. Unfailingly, the event very last minute I gathered the confidence allows technology to take centre-stage as Once the voting ends and the businesses are to pitch. Another motivator was selected, then the real work began. Antwan Edwards, SUW Designer: a young vibrant nine year-old Each team forms around one of the selected “I loved the experience and being around other entrepreneurs with who pitched a great business ideas and is made up of several individuals creative minds. plan. Fast forward… and my with varied technical, design and business st The idea of entrepreneurs coming together is what made me want to team came 1 !” Developing an backgrounds–including young students. participate in the event. It was a great work environment and my group aquaculture business idea called Those whose business ideas are not chosen worked together really well but the most challenging part for me was BOFF, Jonathan and his team through the voting system are encouraged to creating the website. Creating websites can be quite tedious and creating are now in talks with vendors, join a team and participate in the business one in such a short amount of time was the most difficult.” industry experts and potential planning process. Over the remainder of the customers. He continues: “I have weekend, each team focuses on developing its MVP. The ideas are tested through real- a great team and we look forward to the day entrepreneurs of all ages and backgrounds we start getting paying customers.” time market research but also through a develop their business concepts throughout coaching panel who is present at the venue The most recent StartUp Weekend, which the weekend. It also allows them to harness took place in March 2016, proved once for the duration of the event. the power of technology to turn their ideas again that business ideas are bountiful in The final evening sees the finalists present their Bermuda. The first place prize went to Shiply, into real businesses. business ideas to a panel of independent judges. a web-based platform that connects anyone For further details about Startup Weekend Bermuda or to register, bringing in a container with anyone that In March 2015, Nakia Smith pitched the idea wants to ship an item by container. Shiply’s visit www.inspirebusiness.bm. of a community kitchen later dubbed “The differentiating factor is that it allows container Kitchen.” Initially, Ms. Smith was terrified

Ricketta Warner A Former TLF Summer Intern, Shares Her Insights What made you decide to pursue ICT as a career path? As a senior at Cedarbridge Academy, I did not know what I wanted to do career-wise. No one at home had careers: everyone was just focused on keeping the lights on. There were no discussions about which industry I was interested in or what was going on in the newspaper, for instance. In my final year at school, I signed up for the Work Experience elective; everyone around me chose ICT, so I followed suit, though I was the only female in the group. For me, the course jumpstarted the process of getting into ICT as a career.

How did you find out about the TLF? A former graduate of the TLF Internship Pilot Programme informed me about it. At the time (2009), I had just finished university and was looking forward to a next step.

How did you enter the current career pathway? My career path is currently focused on databases and working with data. I entered into this path by taking on multiple projects and supporting various departments at work.

How did you like your time as a TLF Intern? I enjoyed the TLF Internship Programme immensely. Surprisingly, it tapped into my creative side. Not only did it expose me to areas of ICT that were new to me, it revealed to me areas that I did not think were part of the ICT industry at all.

What attracted you to the TLF Internship Programme? I was attracted to this programme’s unique ability to provide the opportunity to meet talented professionals, Bermudian and foreign alike. While attending a TLF networking event, I met a few professionals who were willing to share their experiences. This proved to be vital to my success in the business world. One professional that stood out to me was Mr. Dion Tucker who provided me with solid feedback regarding what my résumé needed in order to stand out and to project the right image of me as a young aspiring ICT professional. That was just what I needed: to receive constructive feedback from a professional in my field of interest.

How does your current post relate to your TLF experience? In my current post, I happily take on new challenges and perform tasks that are unrelated to my position. Yes, it sometimes gets very challenging. For instance, a common difficulty is finding the proper words to explain technical concepts to non-technical clients. Another one is managing business applications that stretch you completely outside of ICT. This is where I have the chance to observe experienced people and tap into my own talents – finding ways to remain valuable.

The various subjects were taught by different ICT experts who gave us examples from their real-world experiences. University teaches you the basics and theoretical foundation. Standing face-to-face with company CIOs and CEOs is another story altogether. From them, you learn what the industry is looking for in new graduates and what grabs their attention in real time. What was the most challenging aspect of the TLF Internship Programme? How did you handle the challenge? What did you learn from the experience? The most challenging aspect of the internship was the group project. It was an invaluable learning experience for me both personally and professionally.

This relates to the training I received at the TLF because the different courses in the programme stretched us day by day and it is in the stretching that you find your chosen career path, your purpose, and most of all who you are as in individual and what you’re capable of. If you do not allow yourself to be stretched and to go outside your comfort zone, you stand the chance of missing valuable opportunities.

I spent over two months with people who started out as strangers to me. While, for the course material, I was individually taking tests and doing the work, the group project 6

Ricketta Warner

America’s Cup Endeavours Programme

Former TLF Summer Intern - Continued from page 6 compelled me to get to know the team a bit better. Pretty soon, we were openly sharing ideas, exchanging personal contacts, meeting on our free time, and toiling over a challenging project.

The America’s Cup has teamed up with some of the biggest names in the marine industry to launch the America’s Cup Endeavour Programme. The programme provides a pathway to success for students aged 9 through 12 years old across all backgrounds. It exposes them to an interactive STEAM curriculum, water safety knowledge, and life skills as they learn to sail on 4 different types of boats: Optimist, RS Feva, Hobie Cat and O’Pen BIC.

This taught me the importance of keeping a professional attitude and focusing on the end product thought it all. How did the TLF Internship Programme fulfill its promise in terms of providing you with theoretical and practical knowledge of the ICT industry? I was lucky that the group project challenged me quite a bit - at times, I actually wanted to quit! It was through Ricketta Warner, this experience that I Former TLF recognized that growth Summer Intern demands an open mind. “Just like I did, even if A closed mind is where you don’t know what path learning ceases. you want to take, don’t let that bring you down. Serve in a field of choice and let your work tap into your hidden talent.”

Longevity is the promise the TLF Internship Programme fulfilled for me. Every course was very interesting - but is was the team project and the practical experience that remain with me.

The America’s Cup Endeavour Programme leverages the cutting-edge design and innovative technology that is at the heart of the America’s Cup to engage students with hands-on learning activities and foster their interest in pursuing STEAM career pathways in the future.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned at the TLF Internship Programme? At times, feelings and emotions could have unsettled the project. However, I learned to keep the main objective in focus at all times. That ability has remained with me and assisted me professionally.

The America’s Cup Endeavour STEAM curriculum includes interactive modules for students to learn about measuring wind and wind power, sail area and perimeter, buoyancy, sailing angles, marine debris, and health and nutrition. It also includes the opportunity to visit the ORACLE TEAM USA base in Bermuda where they learn about the advanced science and technology that drives competition for the America’s Cup.

How do you keep abreast of the developments in the ICT industry? I stay connected to ICT professionals and continuously study. I find that what matters is the environment where you situate yourself, so I surround myself as much as possible with people who are ICT-driven and inspired. Like-mindedness is important.

Students also benefit from interaction with ORACLE TEAM USA Head Physiotherapist and Team Nutritionist and ORACLE TEAM USA Physical Performance Manager to better understand the importance of healthy eating and an active lifestyle amongst athletes.

TechAwards and Future Agro Challenge winner Connor Burns Company(ies) • Onsite Engineering Services – Bermuda’s largest Construction Engineering Firm • Bermuda Aerial Media – Drone Services Firm for Media • Skymatics – Industrial Drone Services Firm (North America) • Insulcon – Sustainable Construction • Form – 3D Printing

And the worst? Overextending my time and effort (this happened in 2012-2014). Lesson learned: if you’re focused entirely on business, other parts of your life may start to fall apart. Luckily, I caught myself and have since learned to have a more balanced approach. If you’re in that position, learn to delegate and to make time to socialize and relax. How do you stay current on industry developments? I follow many news companies, blogs and groups online to stay current on the newest industry developments. Second to that are the teams I work with: we keep each other informed by discussing what the future may bring.

Position(s) Director/Engineer/Pilot Educational Background Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario Educational focus Sustainable design, fluid dynamics/ turbomachinery and mechatronics. Number of years in the industry 5 years

How do you think the industry will look 10 or 20 years from now? Interesting question. 10-20 years from now, we should be looking at large-scale automation of a number of things that we currently do as a population. There will be a much-reduced need for operators/ designers while programmers and project management professionals will be in more demand. For ICT, I suspect that machine learning and security software will be big; they will influence the drone and engineering design industries. In terms of drones, I believe that we will see an entirely automated 3-dimensional highway in the sky, especially for drones transporting goods. Note that there will likely be a lot more airspace restrictions. For 3D printing, I think that printing anything from almost any material will be available in your own house! A broken car handle? Print it in minutes instead of waiting weeks for that spare part and paying for shipping. The construction industry is already developing better and more interactive design software which will likely be fully virtual by then (think “Google Glass” on the construction site). Imagine moving steel beams, plumbing and HVAC ducts with the swipe of a hand rather than drafting on a flat, 2D screen.

What led you into a career in technology? I have always had a fascination with the latest technological advances that were highlighted in the news. The idea of being able to take my interests in mathematics, science and computer technology and actually be able to apply them towards the creation of new devices, services and even industries drove me into studying engineering even further. Combining that with an entrepreneurial drive to create and develop companies which have a positive effect on our world resulted in the next steps: to use technology as a new business driver in the real-world economy.

What advice would you give young Bermudians considering a degree in the field of technology? Technology is a great and broad career path to think about pursuing. It opens up significant opportunities for young people to choose from and can provide a valuable technical base that can lead students down many exciting career paths, some of which we can’t even predict yet. If you’re not sure what you want to do yet, I would suggest trying a number of general courses as a start. Make sure you try programming – there are so many opportunities both in Bermuda and abroad for those who can create new and technical ideas from website development to automating a drone flight. Having a degree in technology will give you that leg up over the competition.

Who has influenced your career? My father, Robert, ran a company in the financial business software industry. He was a great influence on my career choices, specifically my decision to pursue a technology and business-based career. What has been your favourite career moment? Attending a specialized announcement at the White House and meeting the President of the United States! What’s the best decision you’ve made or career move/ project you’ve been involved in? Deciding to dedicate enormous time and effort outside of my full-time job to develop a new company (Bermuda Aerial Media) in what was at the time a very risky industry. This has led to numerous other opportunities.

Put Social Media to work for you Stephanie Lee of SociaLee You’ve thrown your cap and hung up your gown. With a degree in hand, you’re entering the job market along with thousands of other recent graduates from around the world. Now is the right time to put technology to use as you look into your next steps as a professional. 2. Start the Job Hunt in Earnest Now that you’ve cleared up your profile, you can utilize many social media tools to find a job. • Let people know you’re looking for a job. Send a tweet and/or Facebook post with a link to your resume, LinkedIn profile, or personal portfolio website, saying that you are actively looking for work. • Join professional groups on Facebook and LinkedIn. These will give you the opportunity to begin networking with professionals in your industry. In the long term, even if you don’t get a job directly from a new connection, you still have access to people who can help you on your journey in different ways. • Record a short video resumé you can store on YouTube or Vimeo. You can send the private link to prospective employers. For a more general search, you can leave your video public. LinkedIn also has a video feature. Uploading your video introduction will make you stand out from the thousands of others, as long as it’s consistent with the industry you’re targeting. • Create a personal website. You want to take control of your online reputation. Once you have a website, a blog or a portfolio of your work, update it regularly. This will compel search engines to list it more prominently when your name is searched. • Utilize the platforms most directly related to your industry. There are hundreds of websites and social media sites that have been developed for specific industries. Job hunters are becoming more focused in their search. By using a platform that is in line with your chosen industry or field, you are more likely to be found by a company in your chosen field.

1. Clean Up Your Digital Reputation When job hunting, some may discount the impact of the rapidly-changing technology and social media. Most of our lives are now significantly impacted by both; and they can either help or hinder the job hunting process. Many employers, both in Bermuda and internationally, research prospective hires online. Not just on LinkedIn, but also elsewhere including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Periscope. With Google’s recent agreements with these social powerhouses, employers can do a Google search to find almost everything about you in one single keystroke. That’s every photo, video, tweet and post. Managing your online reputation has therefore become more important than ever, particularly if you’re job hunting. Here are a few things you can do to monitor your online presence. • Google yourself. If employers are doing it, you can do it too. See what photos, videos, websites etc. are coming up. • Clean up your social footprint. While you want to keep your college memories, leaving all of them in a public space like Instagram isn’t a smart idea. Store your files in a secure storage drive. Cloud storage is increasingly secure and affordable, and many options like OneDrive, Dropbox and Google Drive provide free options with affordable upgrades. • Create new handles for your Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Periscope, and begin using those more frequently. What happens online stays online. By creating separate handles, you begin to distance your new professional life from your college one. • Keep your private life private. Update the privacy settings on your social media. You can make your Instagram, Twitter and Facebook accounts private, so that only your friends can find you. Ultimately, you want to remember that when employed, you are not just yourself, but a representative of your team and of your employer. People will associate you and your behavior to the organisation you work for. Prospective employers want to know that you will represent the company in a stellar manner.

Your generation is quite technologically savvy and you are expected to quickly adapt to the rapidly changing technology and its many uses. Use this to your advantage. Use the tools currently available to you and your individual creativity to showcase yourself in your best light. Not only will you display your knowledge, skills, and experience in the use of technology, but your online profile will also tell potential employers that you are willing to work hard for what you want.

Start at the Bermuda College As You Pursue A Career in ICT Whether it’s the highly prized and internationally recognised CCNA designation from CISCO Academy (Bermuda campus), the CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, or the CompTIA Security+, the information technology courses and programmes offered at Bermuda College will keep you globally competitive and highly employable in this technologyrich field. As a Bermuda College student, you’ll be given hands-on instruction, enabled to create apps for different devices and to build your skillset in troubleshooting, design, networking, analysis and administration. If you enjoy the coursework of system design and analysis, IT Project Management is a growing career trend, while the Website Design course opens the door for students who are interested in becoming website designers, website administrators or graphic designers.

Without leaving Bermuda, students can be introduced to the latest trends and be provided with the opportunity to explore a wide variety of career options in the dynamic ICT industry.

As a graduate, understanding how databases work will open doors for such positions as Junior Database Administrators. The increase in IT security paves the way to posts like Junior Security Administrators, who advise home owners and businesses on network and computer security. And don’t rule out a rewarding career in technical retail sales as you gain specialised knowledge that is critical for those businesses selling mobile devices – tablets, cellphones, smart glasses, etc. With many new companies being created in Bermuda, technical support continues to be essential and vital to their success. There’s no better time to sign up! Give the Bermuda College a call! Many classes are conveniently offered during the evening hours, so you can work and study at the same time. Contact the Recruitment Officer today at 239-4099 or at tdill@college.bm or at info@college.bm

Sometimes, takeoff is not immediate

BTC Apprenticeship Programme

Surlena Smith of K.I.M.’s List and StartUp Weekend Coach

Offering the youth of Bermuda a trade that counts.

My name is Surlena Smith, COO (Chief Operating Officer) of K.I.M.’s List. I handle the day-to-day operations and the human capital of the company. K.I.M.’s List is an acronym for “Kids In Mind,” a website that connects parents with a multitude of educational and recreational resources as well as goods and services for their kids. In the past, I tried my hand at various business ideas but had no success getting them off the ground. I attended Bermuda’s first Start-up Weekend (SUW) in March 2015 and all of that changed: throughout the weekend, I was able to gain more knowledge about how to start a business and about the various moving parts involved in the process. Entrepreneurship is not just having a product and selling it. There’s so much more to it. At the time, I asked my friend and co-worker Kim Caisey to join me at SUW because she had an idea for a

BTC employs almost 150 Bermudian telecommunications experts, many of which have been with in its employ for a substantial number of years. Its believes in investing in people to provide not just a job, but a fulfilling career that really counts. With the change in ownership that took place in 2015, BTC is preparing for a period of significant growth, including investment in its network and its people. This includes the launch of an apprenticeship programme designed to recruit and develop a new wave of BTC experts.

Kim Caisey – Founder of K.I.M.’s List: SUW took me out of my comfort zone. I always knew I had an entrepreneurial spirit but I often got anxious when making a presentation. SUW helped me to get through this anxiety and push past it in order to follow my dream. I was the 2nd place winner of StartUp Weekend held in March 2015! More importantly, SUW has opened doors and provided multiple opportunities for me and my team. What I truly love is knowing that my business is online. I can be a boss anywhere in the world.”

website. Once the event got underway, her pitch won and I opted to join her team. From that weekend in March 2015, we have been hard at work, turning her dream into a reality. Although I have put my own entrepreneurial aspirations on the back burner, it has been rewarding to help create K.I.M.’s List. It has also been a great learning opportunity. Coincidentally -and fortunately for me- while working on K.I.M.’s List, I been able to turn her business into a virtual workspace. Unexpectedly, that has catapulted me to consult for other businesses, creating a template for them to conduct business using technology that most of them already possess. This opportunity has been propelled by the obvious lower cost of doing business that it brings. At the Start-up Weekend, I also learned that businesses work more effectively and efficiently with a team. Since SUW, we have been able to turn K.I.M’s List into a true e-business and I have moved forward with my virtual workspaces business idea. A win-win for all!

The BTC Apprenticeship offers Bermudians aged 18-25 the opportunity to train as a technician for a period of three years with the possibility of gaining a permanent position after completion. The emphasis is both on practical skills and on a thorough understanding of the technical aspects of the job. Apprentices therefore receive vocational and educational training, to ensure they gain a grasp of both these areas. Aided by the Department of Workforce Development, BTC’s apprentices benefit from global expert training. In some instance, trainers are brought onto the Island and in other instances, apprentices travel overseas to learn skills needed for their certification. Each year of the programme includes testing and evaluation to ensure that apprentices are effectively grasping the skills and knowledge needed to progress to the next level of the programme. Upon completion, participants are fully qualified as a technician and able to undertake the duties and responsibilities that it entails.

The BTC Apprenticeship programme represents the company’s commitment to investing in its people and ensuring that its customers have a continual stream of experts, prepared look after their needs.

Girls in ICT Day International Girls in ICT Day, which is celebrated on every fourth Thursday in April, is an initiative established to raise awareness and to empower and encourage girls and young women to consider studies and careers in ICT. The awareness day was created by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies. Spreading the word here in Bermuda is the Department of E-Commerce at the Ministry of Economic Development. Department Director, Dr. Marisa Stones stated: “Women have long had a profound impact on the technology industry. “But we believe there is far more room for women in the industry and we are hopeful that more students and young women will see the growing opportunities in information and communications technologies: the industry is growing so quickly. “Even here in Bermuda, we see women making a significant difference in the technology landscape of our country.” Dr. Stones highlighted successful women in the industry such as Vicky Coelho, Non-Executive Chair at Fireminds Ltd., who conceded that technology was not even her first career choice. Ms Coelho said, “My university education was not related to ICT at all. But when I was a women’s fashion buyer for a large department store in Canada, I found that I needed more of a challenge.”

She began climbing the corporate ladder of ICT after a former President of Xerox Canada encouraged her to take advantage of training opportunities in management, product marketing, and sales training. Ms Coelho added, “There are incredible opportunities for women in ICT. Women are inherently great communicators. They can multi-task, work collaboratively, and have natural leadership skills. Future women leaders in ICT must have passion and drive. Although historically, men have been the dominant force, we now see women leading firms; and successfully.” Sandra DeSilva, Managing Director of Nova Limited, started her Bermuda-based software development and consultancy company from scratch. She advised: “The path to success in ICT is to step outside your comfort zone. Research different areas to which you have had no exposure, and see what you like. Evaluate local industry needs and characteristics by speaking to as many professionals as possible. Once you become comfortable, step outside that zone once more.” Dr Stones added, “Technology is everywhere and is playing a big role in our day-to-day life. Here at the Department of E-Commerce, we’re eager to see more women entering the field and playing the impactful role that we know they can.”

The Technology Leadership Forum The Purpose The Technology Leadership Forum (TLF), a registered charity, was founded in 2007 through a public-private sector initiative with the Department of E-Commerce. The mission of the organisation is to build an efficient and sustainable ICT sector in Bermuda by providing mentoring and career guidance to young Bermudians interested in the ICT field.

Taking Care of the Alumni Alumni of the TLF Internship Programme carry a prestigious reputation and their on-going career development is a top priority for the organisation. Exclusive training opportunities are offered to TLF Alumni to assist them along their career path including: management in action training and refresher soft skills courses.

The Summer Internship Programme

Expansion Plans

In 2009, the TLF introduced its Summer Internship Programme which is an intensive 12-week internship where college students acquire experience in the ICT industry through hands-on fieldwork, classroom instruction and team projects. The classroom training is taught by industry professionals and over 20 courses cover business continuity, project management, data warehousing, programming, and networking. In addition to the technical courses, the interns receive soft skills training such as time management and customer service. Throughout the programme, they are given exposure to top ICT leaders in Bermuda through networking opportunities and a mentoring scheme that is intended to help them with professional development.

Since its inception, the TLF has focused primarily on mentoring college-level students. In the coming period, the organisation intends on offering programmes to middle- and high-school students. The goal is to help them prepare for their university choices and provide them with more exposure to ICT via after school camps. Sandra DeSilva, TLF Chair and Managing Director of Nova Limited had the following to say about this latest development: “We are excited to expand our programmes and to reach out to students early on in their education by providing further exposure to ICT at the middle- to high-school levels. We hope to inspire students to become curious about ICT and to stay curious and interested in it.” She explains: “Even after they’ve completed their formal education, we continue providing support to them, often well into professional development, whether they’re training to become the next CIO or a professional with specific and deep subject-matter expertise.”

After successful completion of the programme, the interns receive a certificate of excellence and are set on their way to becoming esteemed and skilled members of the ICT community. Every year, the TLF seeks dynamic, enthusiastic and motivated students. The programme provides them with the opportunity to be mentored by leading local executives, assisted by like-minded graduates who would form the beginning of a valuable network for each other, and be exposed to training and hands-on experience that may not be offered at their college or university.

She concludes: “The TLF’s new programs will contribute toward a sustainable and progressive ICT community in Bermuda.” If you would like more information on the TLF please visit www.tlf.bm or email at info@tlf.bm. 13

Darren Burchall presents: Great 4 Learning teachers no longer have a monopoly on information. They need to explore and embed innovative uses of technology in learning so that children can learn anything at anytime, anywhere, and on any device.”

As a digital jurisdiction, Bermuda is growing at a rapid pace. In the last four Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) digital economy studies, Bermuda consistently ranked in the top 22 countries in the world for e-readiness, and is the smallest country to hold that record. It was also awarded the Best Digital Jurisdiction in 2013 and 2014 by the World Commerce review.

The Great 4 Learning programme aims to produce students that are globally and digitally literate, becoming collaborators, creators, and makers. Proper use of technology is key to developing these skills. Mr. Burchall believes this is why it is vital that educators retrain, relearn, and redefine their pedagogy so that they can engage children and facilitate learning.

According to the State of ICT Report, 99% of businesses and 89% of households have Internet access , making Bermuda one of the most e-ready jurisdictions in the world. Manifestly, technology has had a huge impact on Bermuda, especially the youth. This is arguably the greatest shift in education history.

The programme is starting to gain traction on the Island. In 2014, Great 4 learning hosted sessions at the Bermuda Union of Teachers Conference on using web-based learning technologies to engage children. Mr. Burchall also worked with local teachers to assist them in developing their skills using new technologies.

Darren Burchall – Creator of the Great 4 Learning programme, “It is rewarding developing young people who will be doing exactly what I am doing today. Hopefully they will love it just as much”

Great 4 Learning has introduced over 65 children and their parents to hands-on learning opportunities linked to STEM, Robotics and the Maker Movement. The organisation currently hosts summer and Christmas camps on-island, teaching students basic robotics and coding skills. Additionally, Great 4 Learning is working towards the launch of the first, Global Robotic Challenge in Bermuda in 2016. This initiative is a collaboration between Great 4 Learning and Global Arts Entertainment.

Nevertheless, there remains room for improvement. Mr. Burchall, creator of the Great 4 Learning programme, noted that today’s young people are born in a time when the way that humans learn and interact is very much technologybased. They use technology naturally in their everyday lives for connecting, socializing and entertainment. They live high-tech lives at home and socially. Once they cross the school gate, however, their connectivity is often significantly diminished.

Mr. Burchall does not intend to stop there. “It is my hope that we will continue to stimulate the discussion surrounding technology and education. We are well into the 21st Century and this is just hitting our shores,” he maintained.

In addition, the way millennials learn is different from how their teachers and parents learned. According to Mr. Burchall, it has become inappropriate to “use the industrial revolution-style classroom and assess the learning of children who are sitting still, in rows and columns in badly lit rooms with a pencil.” He further stated: “If we, as educators, embed the use of new technology into our programs, children will be more engaged and will have the opportunity to learn in a more familiar environment.” Mr. Burchall created Great 4 Learning to change all of this. It is a technology-based programme designed to assist teachers, students and parents with the integration of new learning technologies to enhance learning. Mr Burchall believes that “due to the proliferation of the Internet,

The programme is not limiting itself to the Island. Mr. Burchall continued: “Globally we are just starting to make our mark. The plan is to roll out our full programme within the next three years, providing one million children with the opportunity to interact with Robotics and Coding. Two events have already been confirmed in Kenya and Ghana early next year. Confirmations are expected from England as well.” For more information the programs offered, training or staff visit Great 4 Learning at www.great4learning.com or email great4learning@gmail.com. 14

Bermuda’s Technology-Based Solution Wins First Place To maximize the Island’s chances for this challenge, developers, makers, creative thinkers, therapists, persons with an understanding of health and disabilities, problemsolvers, and policy people were encouraged to join the Bermuda team. On Saturday March 5th, the team pitched their final solution: an adaptable swimming apparatus.

Bermuda has once again harnessed the power of technology to win a global competition. In a last-minute move, Bermuda participated in a global Reverse Pitch event, aiming to enhance the independence of persons with motor disabilities and to assist their caregivers and educators. Using technology to its advantage, the locally based team participated remotely from the convenience of the City of Hamilton.

“Waiting for the final judging was the hardest part of the entire completion. We were at a significant disadvantage including lack of resources and materials not being available in Bermuda. The competing teams had some really great ideas but no one else tackled the swimming apparatus challenge. For us, that specific challenge is what felt natural. We did a huge amount of work in very short period of time. It was an exhilarating experience.” – Sloane Wilson- Chinapoo.

This Reverse Pitch was organised by the Conductive Education Center of Orlando in Florida (CECO). The mission of CECO is to enhance the independence of children with motor disabilities, such as Cerebral Palsy, through Conductive Education, a holistic individualized program incorporating physical, social, and educational elements in a group setting.

After an intense twenty minutes of judging, the winners were announced: Bermuda took first prize, winning the competition. Continuing on with the support of CECO and the backing of the Reverse Pitch Judges, the team is moving forward with implementation and production of their prototype.

The pitches took place on January 26th with final presentations. On the day, the various competing teams from around the world came together to hear about five specific challenges persons with motor disabilities are faced with daily; the Bermuda group attended through a Skype connection and teleconferencing equipment. They then had until 5pm to select the one challenge that they wished to tackle and only 5 weeks to come up with a comprehensive tech-based solution and produce a working prototype.

The local team consisted of Sloane Wilson-Chinapoo, Harry Matthie, Cranston Warren, Pamela Lavery, Keith Simmons, David Petty and Tinee Grant.

Digicel Group’s Scholarship First Recipient For more information about Digicel Group’s Scholarship, visit www.digicelgroup.com in Barcelona, acting as secretary of his Economics Society while at Howard University, and being an avid salsa dancer.

The inaugural recipient, Bermudian Carlsen E. Philip II, distinguished himself by extraordinary personal and academic qualities. Those are the same qualities that embody the Digicel brand. The full amount of the scholarship, $15,000, will be distributed over a two-year period to assist him with pursuing a Master’s Degree in Computer Science at Kent University in the United Kingdom.

Digicel’s Marketing Executive Nicole Da Ponte reports that the Digicel Scholarship Panel were impressed with Carlsen‘s academic successes, community involvement, and passion for his education, career and life goals. Ms. Da Ponte further explains that Carlsen exhibited qualities that closely match those of Digicel’s ethos of dedication, pushing boundaries and “being uncomfortable with being comfortable.” His enthusiasm to work at Digicel and his humility set him apart from the other candidates.

Carlsen boasts an impressive resume which includes a Bachelor of Economics Degree with a Minor in Mathematics from Howard University and a study-abroad in Barcelona. Following his undergraduate studies, he completed various internships in top companies including HSBC and PWC locally and Partner Re internationally in France. Fluent in Spanish and French, he also dedicated his time to charitable and personal pursuits including teaching Spanish elementary students while residing

Carlsen is currently residing in Canterbury and undertaking his Master’s Degree. During his academic breaks, he will intern at Digicel to further develop his skills in a practical environment. 16

Bermuda Shorts: the State of ICT Report 2014/15 Every other year, the Department of E-Commerce undertakes a statistical research to capture the reach of technology throughout the different sectors of our community. That information is analysed in the State of ICT In Bermuda Report . “Individuals and organisations alike use the report. The Department of E-Commerce uses the data as a benchmark in order to inform government policies and initiatives in that regard,” says Dr. Marisa Stones, Director of E-Commerce. The data is also useful to current employees in the technology field and to anyone who is thinking to embark on a career in ICT on the Island. Below, you will see some graphics that synthesise the information garnered in 2014/15 report. Where appropriate, you will also see comparisons with the most recent survey, which was performed in 2012. Armed with the relevant data, you can make educated decisions about your career path and how you are to manage it. Desired ICT certifications When asked which IT skills they either seek or foresee a need for in the future, most companies responded: computer networking and support, IT support staff, basic computer literacy, and web development. The most common certifications mentioned were MS Office, a degree/diploma, CCNA, and MCSE/MCSA.

MS Oﬃce

MCSE/ MCSA

Desired Cer8ﬁca8ons CCNA

A degree/ diploma

ICT Training offered locally Less than half of Bermuda-based companies offer formal IT training to staff. As a result, make sure that you obtain the appropriate training and certifications that are needed by employers, and to keep those certifications up-to-date and your skills relevant.

47%

of COMPANIES oﬀer formal IT training to staﬀ

IT TRAINING OFFERED TO STAFF

ICT Training offered to staff Regarding ICT-related training offered to staff, the large majority of companies offer local in-person course training (38% vs. 26% in 2012). Online training is offered through both local providers (19% vs. 16% in 2012) and overseas providers (19% vs. 20% in 2012). In person overseas training has decreased (12% vs. 20% in 2012).

IT Training Offered to Staff

Overseas, Overseas Local Local, in-‐ in-‐person online online person (38%) (12%) (19%) (19%)

Requirement for specific training As companies grow and require staff members that have specific knowledge about their own industry, they are more likely to provide them with the relevant training. You must therefore be prepared to continue to learn and adapt to your employer’s needs.

63%

of COMPANIES oﬀer basic TRAINING in the use of INDUSTRY-‐ SPECIFIC applicaCons

of COMPANIES oﬀer basic TRAINING in the

63% OFFERED use of INDUSTRY-‐TO IT TRAINING SPECIFIC applica8ons STAFF

Bermuda Shorts: the State of ICT Report 2014/15 - Continued from page 17 47% (21%) 2010

(37%) 2012

of COMPANIES oﬀer (38%) formal IT 2015 training to staﬀ

Entry-level ICT jobs Entry-level ICT positions were not available with the large majority of the organisations surveyed for this report. One major take-away is that you should think about garnering experience while at school overseas: not just professionally, but also through internships, volunteering, hobbies, and entrepreneurial pursuits. In recent years, employers have reiterated that they value employees with overseas experience, so take heed as you make your plans.

58%

ICT need are

serviced internally of companies DO in Bermuda NOT have ENTRY-‐ LEVEL Local IT posi8ons Overseas, Overseas Local, in-‐ ICT needs are in-‐person online online person by (38%) serviced externally 33% (12%) (19%) IT (19%) a Bermuda

94%

Company

of COMPANIES oﬀer 41% of COMPANIES BERMUDA-BASED COMPANIES basic TRAINING in the spend over 6% of Bermuda-Based WHO on OUTSOURCE their budget ICTCompanies use of INDUSTRY-‐

Outsourcing

63%

Most Bermuda-based companies do not outsource their services. Note, however, that the number of companies who do outsource is increasing over time.

Who Outsource SPECIFIC applica8ons

59% of COMPANIES spend 0-‐5% of their budget on ICT

of COMPANIES oﬀer formal IT training to staﬀ

47%

(21%) 2010

(37%) 2012

(38%) 2015

ICT services As you develop in the ICT industry, remember that Bermuda-based companies still prefer to have their ICT needs fulfilled either internally (within their respective groups) and in Bermuda, or externally (by a company outside of their group) but still on the Island. This bodes well for the professionals and companies who, for instance, provide ICT services to organisations locally.

58%

ICT need are of companies DO serviced NOT internally have ENTRY-‐ in LEVEL IT posi8ons Bermuda

94%

ICT needs are serviced externally by a Bermuda IT 41% of COMPANIES Company spend over 6% of

33%

their budget on ICT

59% of COMPANIES spend 0-‐5% of their budget on

BERMUDA-BASED COMPANIES ICT WHO OUTSOURCE The above illustrates current trends within the local ICT field. At the end of the day, own your career planning and use the

resources available to you in order to be in a good place professionally. “Students must take charge of researching their career interests. Not only is it important to actively engage in networking with industry professionals, but it is equally critical to ensure that students take the courses that will allow them to get into their chosen college and university programs,” says Aaron Smith, Chairman of the E-Commerce Advisory Board. With that in mind, make the most of the existing opportunities and work to actively shape your career path. ICT is a passion as much as it is a vocation, and Bermuda is certainly the right place for it! (21%) 2010

17 18

(37%) 2012

(38%) 2015

Stay safe online!

GO VERNMENT OF BERMUDA The Ministry of Economic Development The Department of E-Commerce