Yesterday over 100 ASUG members and partners registered to attend the fall Michigan Chapter meeting, featuring the first ever focused track on the SAP University Alliance. The meeting was held at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development at Michigan State University. The program featured a healthy representation of presentations across two additional tracks: general topics such as HCM, training and mobility; and the BI track which included a special update on predictive analytics and the recent kxen acquisition by SAP.
Justin Jagger of Michigan State University provides a special welcome to nearly 100 attendees of the ASUG Michigan Chapter meeting.
Of particular interest during the session was a cross-industry panel focused on the issues of developing and hiring new talent with STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills in short supply to many of the manufacturing related industries such as automotive, furniture, aerospace and industrial goods that comprise a large portion of the regional economic growth. Panelists from Chrysler, Dow Corning and Steelcase joined academic faculty members from Grand Valley State University, Michigan State University and University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in an engaging discussion that evolved into a group coaching session for many of the student attendees. The UAP track and industry panel was constructed by Dr. Simha Magal - SAP Mentor, author and Professor at Grand Valley State University.
Some of the comments from the panelists:
- TERP10 program is of keen mind. We can hire just about anyone with that and a healthy dose of technical curiosity.
- Program communication is important. Being able to communicate with internal customers is key to success.
- Persistence in seeking a new hire position is still required in this modern age of online applications. You need to own your application process, don't wait for companies to call you back.
- Internships are the expectation. Third and fourth year students should distinguish themselves with a paid or unpaid internship to bolster their resume coming out of university programs.
At right, John Dean leads the cross-industry UAP panel at the ASUG Michgian chapter meeting (photo courtesy Simha Magal, GVSU)
The evening concluded with a number of prizes and giveaways with a reception hosted by the meeting premier sponsor, Experis. Plans are already underway to continue the UAP track as part of the three-meeting annual calendar at ASUG Michigan. Based on the interest and attendance from members present, this program will only continue to grow in importance.
Many thanks to all of the sponsors and participants - including our student colleagues who took the time to join us for the meeting. If you would like to connect with ASUG Michigan, join our LinkedIn page and follow us on Twitter (@ASUG_Michigan).
Students from Central Michigan University and the world champion ERPSim UAP team join ASUG Michigan for the first ever University Alliance track program meeting. (Photo Courtesy of Alex McLeod of SAP)
Alex McLeod of the SAP University Alliance snapped this shot of Dr. Simha Magal and I at the ASUG Michigan Chapter meeting held on November 21, 2013 at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development at Michigan State University.
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