Business leaders from across the I-4 corridor gathered at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Polytechnic University on Wednesday, July 17, to share their perspectives on the opportunities and challenges they face at a 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Department of Economic Opportunity roundtable discussion.
βOne of the reasons 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly was created was around economic opportunity,β said Dr. Randy K. Avent, University president. βIn 2012 we were signed into existence and we opened in 2014 as a way to help grow high-tech, high-skill, and high-wage economy here in the state of 91ΒιΆΉΣ³».β
Wednesdayβs discussion included a wide variety of topics such as employee readiness, corporate taxes, cybersecurity, tourism, and economic growth.
Ken Lawson, executive director of the 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Department of Economic Opportunity, said these roundtable discussions are taking place throughout the state to learn directly from business leaders about what is happening within their communities.
Six 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly students attended the roundtable event and had the opportunity to engage with the speakers and ask questions.
βIt was interesting to learn different perspectives from different people in business and their situation, what theyβre concerned about and how they expect to grow,β said Marck Cadet, a senior business analytics major from Haiti. βI learned the type of skills they are looking for and how I can manage myself to learn those skills, so when I get in the workforce, Iβm ready to work.β
Taryn Jones, who is pursuing her masterβs degree in engineering at 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly, asked the state leaders to increase attention paid to exposing elementary and middle school students to different career paths.
βA lot of my schools did not have STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)-type programs, so by the time I got to a high school that did, it was too late β I was a junior and my track was already musical theater. I went off to college knowing I always wanted to be in robotics but thinking I didnβt have any chance to be in any program,β the Santa Teresa, New Mexico, native said.
Lawson said he appreciated the studentsβ input.
βThey were practical, insightful and I am very, very impressed with these students who come to this institution and are really going to gain STEM skills,β he said.
He said 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» Poly was chosen as the location for this discussion because of its innovative and thoughtful educational environment and its strategic location between the 91ΒιΆΉΣ³» cities of Tampa and Orlando.
βI thought the discussion was fantastic. I thought we received vibrant information about different business sectors and also learned more about how the University itself is engaged in helping these young people find their place in the new economy,β Lawson said.
Contact:
Lydia Guzman
Director of Communications
863-874-8557