Presentations from experts in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things made the 2018 Vermont Tech Jam truly more than just a job fair. We created two programming tracks for aspiring and veteran tech pros.
Business Track
For entrepreneurs, executives and business owners
These sessions cover areas of interest to decision makers at Vermont businesses. Speakers will discuss emerging opportunities — and threats — in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. And representatives from two exciting new development projects will explain how they hope to invigorate tech ecosystems in Springfield and Burlington.
- 10:15-11:30 a.m. — Anatomy of a Data Breach
- 1:30-2:15 p.m. — If You Build It… A Discussion on Place & Space
- 2:30-3:15 p.m. — Artificial Intelligence Gathering
Career Track
For professionals who want to take it to the next level
This series starts off with Reinvent Yourself, a session designed specifically for career changers and experienced workers who are looking to enter, or re-enter, STEM fields. Students and young professionals will appreciate “Create a Career in Vermont.” Women seeking career advice and support should sign up for Power Up: Women in Tech Roundtables. In the last session, tech-savvy staffers from four Vermont media outlets explain how their fact-gathering work has evolved.
- 10:30-11:45 a.m. — Reinvent Yourself
- 12:30-1:15 p.m. — Create a Career in Vermont
- 1-2 p.m. — Power Up: Women in Tech Roundtables
- 3:30-4:15 — Tech Jobs in Journalism
Keynote Address
Sydney Skybetter
12-12:15 on the Expo Stage
In this TED-style talk, choreographer, entrepreneur and Brown University professor Sydney Skybetter describes his peculiar professional trajectory from ballet dancer to technology expert. He explores a gamut of emerging phenomena — including drone swarms, artificial intelligence, self-driving cars and robots — and rants about the premonitory qualities of the movie Minority Report. Using choreography as a frame, Skybetter will discuss some of the prodigious risks and economic opportunities of our unfolding technologic era.
Pictured: “Temporary Matters” at The Joyce in 2011. Portrait by Liza Voll.
Session Details
Anatomy of a Data Breach
10:15-11:30 p.m.
Your company has been hacked! What do you do next? In this workshop, organized by Vermont’s Office of the Attorney General, experts in law enforcement, cybersecurity, legal affairs, cyber insurance and public relations go step-by-step through a data breach scenario at a mid-size Vermont company involving spearphishing and ransomware and explain how to respond. Panelists include:
- Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan
- Ryan Kriger, Vermont Attorney General’s Office
- Jennifer Vander Veer, Federal Bureau of Investigations
- Jonathan Rajewski, Leahy Center for Digital Investigation at Champlain College
- Jerry Tarrant, MyWebGrocer
- Heather Roszkowski, The University of Vermont Health Network
- Matt Borick, Downs Rachlin Martin
- Mindy Higgins Bero, Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group
- Nick Sherman and/or Alexandra MacLean, Leonine Public Affairs
Business Track: Upstairs, Room A
Reinvent Yourself
10:30-11:45 a.m.
Calling all career changers, sandwiched workers, experienced workers, and those getting back into the workforce! Career marketing specialists Lindsey Lathrop-Ryan and C. Jane Taylor of FromWithin Coaching explore ways to rebuild your résumé — and your confidence — in the face of change.
Participants will learn ways to:
- Acknowledge and own your experience
- Tout your experience without sounding like a narcissist
- Choose empowering language
- Embrace technology
- Use the right type of résumé
Bring your laptop or pen and paper, this session is hands-on. Space is limited.
Career Track: Upstairs, Room B
Create a Career in Vermont
12:30-1:15 p.m.
Do young professionals looking for a better job and new challenges really have to leave Vermont? This workshop separates myth from reality. Krysta Sadowski, senior manager at Gallagher, Flynn & Company — and a 2018 Vermont Business Magazine 40 under 40 Rising Star — will provide participants with an understanding of national and local dynamics affecting the job market in Vermont today, and practical tips and tricks for how to successfully navigate the state’s unique job market and build an exciting career here.
Career Track: Upstairs, Room A, no registration necessary
Power Up: Women in Tech Roundtables
1-2 p.m.
In this small group breakout session, facilitated by Vermont Works for Women, experienced women in tech fields discuss getting started and getting ahead. Participants will learn ways to:
- Stand out when applying
- Gain experience and skills through volunteering, classes and other opportunities
- Network successfully
- Deal with discrimination, harassment, being the only woman on the team, and more.
Discussion leaders include:
- Meghan Purvis, scrum master, Dealer.com
- Janette Bombardier, CTO, Chroma Technology Corp.
- Tasha Dickinson, product manager, Logic Supply
- Jessica Sabick, director of talent, SunCommon
- Polly Mangan, lead data scientist, Social Sentinel
- Jill Martin, general manager, 89 North
Space is limited.
Career Track: Upstairs, Room B
If You Build It… A Discussion on Place & Space
1:30-2:15 p.m.
Get a peek at two exciting developments currently underway on opposite sides of the state. Both the Vermont Innovation Commons in Burlington, and the Black River Innovation Campus in Springfield will include access to lightning-fast internet connections and live/work spaces for entrepreneurs. Each also addresses location-specific needs in these two very different communities. Panelists include:
- Steven Barraclough — moderator
- Mark Naud, Vermont Innovation Commons
- Robert Zulkoski, Vermont Innovation Commons
- Luke McGowan, Black River Innovation Campus
Pictured top: An exterior rendering of Vermont Innovation Commons in Burlington. Bottom: An interior rendering of Black River Innovation Campus in Springfield. (Courtesy of Lincoln Brown Illustrations)
Business Track: Upstairs, Room A, no registration necessary
Artificial Intelligence Gathering
2:30-3:15 p.m.
Advances in AI will create new opportunities for Vermont researchers and entrepreneurs, and new challenges for workers and regulators. The legislature created a task force to study this rapidly evolving field, and make recommendations for how the state should use and regulate it. How should that group approach its work? What is at stake for Vermont? Panelists include:
- John Cohn, IBM Fellow, member of AI Task Force — moderator (pictured)
- Jill Charboneau, president Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO; member of AI Task Force
- Milo Cress, Champlain Valley Union High School student, member of AI Task Force
- Tim Kenney, AI Certain CEO and founder
- Polly Mangan, lead data scientist at Social Sentinel
Business Track: Upstairs, Room A, no registration necessary
Tech Jobs in Journalism
3:30-4:15 p.m.
Vermont’s media outlets still employ reporters and editors, but they also need data crunchers, podcast editors, online community managers and web video producers. In this panel discussion, staffers from some of the state’s largest and most innovative media outlets explain what they do, where they learned to do it, and how they keep up with whatever’s next. Panelists include:
- Cathy Resmer, deputy publisher, Seven Days — moderator
- Maggie Cassidy, web editor, Valley News
- Liam Elder-Connors, reporter, VPR
- Phayvanh Luekhamhan, director of business development, finance and administration, VTDigger
- Andrea Suozzo, digital editor, Seven Days
Career Track: Upstairs, Room A, no registration necessary
2018 Tech Jam Awards
5-5:30 p.m. on the Expo Stage
Who will win the Jammies? Vermont’s top innovator, startup and tech ambassador will walk away with handcrafted statuettes at the conclusion of this annual award ceremony, hosted by the Vermont Technology Alliance, a tech industry trade group. BTV Ignite will also announce the winners of its 2018 Reverse Pitch competition.
Photo: The 2017 Tech Jam Winners (James Buck)
2018 Tech Jam Awards
5-5:30 p.m. on the Expo Stage
Who will win the Jammies? Vermont’s top innovator, startup and tech ambassador will walk away with handcrafted statuettes at the conclusion of this annual award ceremony, hosted by the Vermont Technology Alliance, a tech industry trade group. BTV Ignite will also announce the winners of its 2018 Reverse Pitch competition.
Photo: The 2017 Tech Jam Award winners (James Buck)
Keep Jammin’ All Year Long!
Get Vermont’s tech news, jobs and events in your inbox each Monday.