How INI Students Develop the Knowledge and Skills to Stand Out in a Crowded Job Market

Securing a full-time role after graduation is one of the most challenging aspects of transitioning from being a graduate student to an INI alum. To excel within the competitive job market and ever-evolving technological landscape, Information Networking Institute (INI) students work hard to stand out. 

The INI’s director of career services and employer relations, Daniel Carr, guides students through their internship and job search from the very beginning. From resume reviews to professional skills workshops to on-site networking opportunities, Carr helps INI students navigate the job market.  

During this past semester, students have visited the offices of major companies, learned from recruiters, successful alumni and industry professionals and worked with Peer Career Consultants (PCCs) to improve their resumes. The INI was one of the first academic units to hire a full-time career services role dedicated to advising students, a unique benefit that prepares them for successful careers in industry, government and nonprofits.  

To Carr, INI students have a few characteristics that help them find success. “There are two things that come to mind,” said Carr. “[The first is] dual competencies: they’ve got deep technical rigor as well as real-world business risk and policy understanding. The second is their ambition and application. The time that they spend at the INI, the work they put into projects and the work they put into studying for finals — I think that’s visible to many of the faculty and staff.” 

Two prominent career development events this Fall provided INI students with opportunities to learn about the state of the industry and explore potential career options. 

Thanks to a collaboration with INI alum and Googler Evan Wright, this marks the second year that INI students visited the Google offices in Pittsburgh, along with students from Heinz College. Students heard from a panel of team members from across Google departments who shared insights and advice on the current state of the tech field and life as a Googler. After the panel discussion, attendees had the chance to ask questions and connect with panelists. 

INI and Heinz students at the Google headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA

“The Google Tech Trek let me talk with industry leaders I never thought I’d meet as a student,” said Abby Farrell, M.S. in Information Security (MSIS) student. “Hearing their stories changed how I see my own career and made me want to aim higher. Thanks to the INI, working at a company like Google actually feels possible.” 

The second event was a visit from IBM Field Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Justin Blackstone, who met with faculty, staff and students. During his visit, Blackstone gave a guest lecture for students in Associate Director Dr. Michael Mattarock’s 14-817: Cyber Risk Modeling class. During his lecture, Blackstone focused on the frameworks and tools IBM uses to evaluate cyber risk across the organization and shared new techniques his team is researching to improve protective measures. He also held a career talk on the INI student floor to share his experience at IBM and answer questions. 

“By building relationships and formal partnerships, there are many elements that you can engage with the INI,” said Carr. “Building and hosting that event with Blackstone was the first step towards a long-term partnership with an organization such as IBM, which is leading the industry in AI and cyber, and who better to do it with than the INI?” 

Blackstone, center, speaking with INI students on the INI Student Floor