I love seeing smart kids that are go-getters. Avnet Inc. (NYSE: AVT) hosted the 6th annual Avnet Tech Games where Arizona college students compete for scholarships in contests like building a solar-powered water pump or engineering the fastest computer. Some even competed in virtual games from locations around the world.
When I walked into the University of Advancing Technology (UAT) on game day the atmosphere was electric with the excitement and energy of the 190-plus competing students. There was good rock-and-roll music soaring over the buzz. The students are bright. They are talented. They are always intense. They are loud. They care about what they’re doing. Geek is a good thing. If you have not heard about UAT in Phoenix check’em out at IT/Tech school rocks.
The kids played hard, dressed in school colors, with one team in suits and ties. Northern Arizona University participated for the first time, along with ITT Technical Institute and our local community colleges. I loved the spirit of Arizona State University and the University of Arizona when they won -- but in rare sense of sportsmanship, without boos.
Since the beginning, Avnet has given out more than $250,000 in scholarships. More than 1000 students have competed, and some of them have found jobs at Avnet or our partners as a result of the games. Teachers like Bassam Matar and Tim Frank have partnered with Avnet employees to help students learn what a business is really looking for when hiring students fresh from college.
So why do we bother? Because 10 years from now we will be counting on these same students to design such things as low-energy street lighting, market our products, process our orders, and build our computers. We bother because we will need them and we want to help them be their best and protect the future for all of us.
We call it investing, because that's what it is. We're putting in something now in the hopes it will get bigger and better over time. As with all investing, there is a risk it won't pay off. But I'm betting it will. These are the kids who will make a difference and create the future. If you have tech/engineering college kids check us out.
Excelent way to push innovation ... students benefit from the scholarships but I'm sure the companies get the most out of it... good new entries profiles, good ideas!
@Nemos you are right. Geek is quiet often use amongst computer wizards - occationally called set of computer engineers who can tweak any sort of smart gadgets, if faulty provide instant troubleshooting, fix and make them up & running in a jiffy.
Meanwhile, AVNET has done pretty well, catching them young for the sustainability of evolved and emerging technologies.
While I was reading the article also wondering what Geek means . Here is what I found via Google: geek is a slang term, with different meanings ranging from "a computer expert or enthusiast"
It could be great for example to investigate in investment trends in education and which firm or industry in electronics achieved in mid-long term major benefits in terms of operational processes, turnovers and economics KPI.
@Al: Dear Al, based on your experience (in addition to your wonderful editorial) could you report some?
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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