Intersect 2018 to take place in the heart of Silicon Valley in March

When and where is it on?

Intersect 2018, organised by online learning platform Udacity, is an international conference bringing together some of the most inspiring and influential voices in Silicon Valley and the global tech ecosystem. Attendees will join a diverse group of students, innovators and technologists from around the world for an unparalleled opportunity to learn, connect and be inspired. Anyone interested can find out more information on our website: https://www.udacity.com/intersect

This year’s conference will take place on Tuesday 27^th March, and will focus on Lifelong Learning. Hundreds of professional learners and the employers seeking to hire them will converge, along with tens of thousands joining by livestream. Intersect 2018 will be held at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California in the heart of Silicon Valley. You can find travel directions here:http://www.computerhistory.org/directions

How many years has it been going?

 This will be the third annual Intersect conference.

What was the inspiration to start it?

Intersect is about inspiring and informing our students at the intersection of learning and jobs. By bringing together lifelong learners and the employers seeking to hire people with the skills that Udacity teaches, we’re making it easier for our students to transform their careers, and for employers to find the right talent. Our students mostly interact with Udacity instructors and fellow students online, so Intersect represents the perfect opportunity to bring the Udacity community of students and hiring partners together.

What exciting things can people look forward to?

This year’s conference theme is Lifelong Learning. In keynotes, mainstage panels and interactive breakout sessions, we’ll cover a range of topics, from the future of work, recruiting trends, hiring for diversity and robotics, to AI, machine learning, digital marketing, data science and flying cars.

Last year Udacity Intersect welcomed over 450 student attendees, and 30,000 attendees via livestream. Intersect hosts a careers fair which last year included 20 top calibre employers including Google, IBM Watson, Uber ATG, Capital One, Lockheed, Harmon, Telefonica, Amazon, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Rakuten and Samsung

What opportunities are on offer for those attending?

Attendees get all-day access to exciting speaker sessions, career-focused workshops and networking opportunities with Udacity hiring partners. Representatives from the world’s most influential and innovative organisations are eager to meet the next generation of talent from Udacity.

Who will be speaking?

In previous years we’ve been lucky enough to host an amazing range of speakers from companies such as Google, Amazon Alexa, IBM Watson, NVidia, Nest, Change.org and the Chan/Zuckerberg Initiative. This year’s speakers list will be published this month.

What tips would you give to people attending to get the most out of it?

Attendees should come ready to learn, open to new possibilities and ready to network. There are so many opportunities to meet recruiters, instructors and fellow students in your field of interest, so it’s important to come prepared and ready to make the most of it. Look at the agenda ahead of time, and really dig in on specific topics that interest you during the afternoon workshops. Take advantage of the networking receptions to spark new ideas and connections, and you’ll leave feeling energised and inspired for all the possibilities out there!

How can people book tickets / when does it usually sell out?

Early bird tickets are available until 28^th February, and tickets tend to sell out by early March, so get book soon. You can reserve your tickets here: https://www.udacity.com/intersect

Prepared and edited by @EdinaZejnilovic, Journalism Student at DCU.

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