A Venue Just for You
It’s time for Higher Ed IT professionals to have a space all their own! A venue that is specific to the work they do in Higher Ed IT, so they can share experiences, technological advances, and project advice. A venue that is relaxed and inviting, away from the worry of whether or not it’s a good idea to order the chicken or the beef at the department-sponsored dinner party. A space where you can be surrounded by colleagues old and new, away from recruiters trying to solicit how great it would be to work on their new product. How would you react if we told you this space exists — the Higher Ed IT Professionals Meetup group.
Your Experiences May Help Someone
Just what you need to put you on track to a successful implementation.
Do you remember the most difficult hurdle you faced during the implementation of a new product and the innovative thinking it took to overcome that problem? Higher Ed IT Professionals is made up of individuals that are both new and experienced in the field that will appreciate hearing your unique perspective. Or, maybe you aren’t exactly over that difficult hurdle; we’ve all been there, but no matter what you try, it’s not working in the way you hoped. Even the best can be stumped. Your job as a Higher Ed IT professional is tricky; maybe you and your team have tried everything you can think of. Yet, you can’t seem to get past it.
You know what you can try? Bringing your problem to the Higher Ed IT Professionals Meetup! Even if the members can’t draw you a specific A-to-B roadmap for a successful implementation, they can look at your problem through their unique experiences in the field, which may be just what you need to put you on track to a successful implementation.
Expand Your Pool
We’ve all heard what some believe about the individuals working in the IT field: they’re happiest working alone at their computer. Maybe this statement is true for you. You know your own work style. However, that doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t benefit from being able to meet other Higher Ed IT professionals.
Meet passionate individuals with years of experience.
The members of this group are as unique as the field itself. You’ll not only meet passionate individuals with years of experience, but also people who are somewhat greener, yet ready and eager to learn all of the great tips and tricks you could potentially offer them. Not only will you be able to get to know them personally, but you’ll be able to get to know what they’re working on, and how they plan to complete it. The connections you making can allow you to expand your pool of colleagues who are willing to help when you hit a wall.
The (Online) Elephant in the Room
We know what you’re thinking: “Meet with others to give advice and network? Can’t I do that on a forum?” The answer is, of course, yes! You certainly can find an active forum and make yourself at home behind a screenname. However, consider this: you could use the internet to find free lessons on how to speak a foreign language. You may be able to get the gist of it, but what happens when you hit a learning curve and you can’t quite grasp how aspects of the grammar work? You can do additional searching, and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to find a useful resource, but enrolling in a course—with a teacher and peers readily available to explain things may be more useful. The internet can certainly make things convenient, but consider what’s most important to you as a professional: convenience or the ability to be around real people that don’t have to click a “confirm” button to respond to your question?
Higher Ed IT Professionals has a sustained commitment to you and your success.
It is possible that your concern isn’t about convenience. Maybe you’ve already tried something similar to this and you’re unsure how it could be any different from that other group you scoped out. Higher Ed IT Professionals has a sustained commitment to you and your success. We welcome every group member to use their voice and let us, at Optimal Partners, know what topics should be covered, and what resources you could use. Do you wish you could connect with a professional that has experience with your current project? We want to help you reach your potential in Higher Ed IT.
Avoid costly mistakes and wasted time – talk to an impartial peer in Higher Ed!
There is nothing like speaking with a peer who has implemented the same product – send us a request.
You can also provide general feedback, inquire about additional free resources, submit a topic you’d like us to cover, tell us about a feature you’d like to see, or request the best staff for your project.