Friday, May 15, 2009

MSIT Annual event invitation for alumni

Alumni Invitation for MSIT Spree Alumni Invitation for MSIT Spree manjunathbhatt Invitation made out for MSIT spree

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Surviving the IT Job Market: How Soft Skills Give You an Edge

http://www.cio.com/article/print/490192

Surviving the IT Job Market: How Soft Skills Give You an Edge

– Dave Willmer, Computerworld

April 21, 2009
Competition for IT jobs has intensified, so companies that are hiring expect to find candidates who can exceed the technical requirements of a position. While soft skills have long been touted by IT employers, today's harsh economic realities have made those abilities more valuable than ever. IT professionals who know which soft skills are currently the most important and why—nd who are willing to work to improve those abilities—can find that they have a distinct advantage over similarly qualified peers.

Skills such as public speaking, negotiation and persuasion are among the most valuable in the current economic environment. What do these skills have in common? They're all based on the ability to communicate effectively. As budget restrictions create tension for managers and staffers alike, workplace relationships can easily become strained, leading to morale and productivity problems. Effective communication can help prevent or alleviate these situations.

Under such conditions, difficult projects are likely to fail without buy-in from all team members. That's why IT professionals who are skilled at building consensus have become especially valuable. Those who have both listening skills and the ability to help others see the big picture can help keep a department or project team focused on a common goal.

In addition, now that companies are more likely to scrutinize every expense, the ability to justify support for a project has also become more important. Professionals who can clearly communicate the value of a certain project to executives and other stakeholders are better positioned to thrive.
Beyond the Job Description

Don't overlook leadership as a key soft skill just because you aren't occupying or seeking a management-level position. Stepping up to assume extra responsibility—such as taking the lead on a challenging project—is another ability that current economic conditions have made valuable. Hiring managers no longer have the luxury of bringing on board employees who can't go above and beyond their usual duties as needed.

So, how do you go about improving your soft skills? One option is to look for classes that can help you develop these abilities. For example, if you hope to improve your public speaking skills, consider Toastmasters or a similar organization designed to help people overcome discomfort in presenting their ideas to groups. A writing course from a local college or online university can improve your writing skills. Keeping in touch with members of your network and attending industry events can also keep your interpersonal skills sharp.

One of the most powerful ways to develop your soft skills is to teach. In almost any form, teaching puts your diplomacy, persuasion and communication skills to the test. Look to local continuing education programs, community colleges and mentor organizations for opportunities to share your knowledge of the IT profession—and build your interpersonal abilities at the same time.
Show, Don't Just Tell

While your résumé and cover letter should reflect your efforts to grow beyond your technical proficiency, keep in mind that an interviewer's first impressions of your soft skills might carry the most weight. Try practicing your interviewing skills with a friend or trusted colleague whose interpersonal skills you admire, asking for constructive criticism. He or she may point out mannerisms or habits (such as interrupting the speaker) that you might not be aware of.

If all these suggestions are outside your comfort zone, don't be discouraged. After all, if soft skills could be comfortably acquired by all IT professionals, they wouldn't be at such a premium. Ultimately, all soft skills are partly a matter of attitude. By demonstrating your willingness to improve in areas that aren't your greatest strengths, you take a step toward becoming the kind of well-rounded IT professional today's companies need.

Dave Willmer is executive director of Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis. Robert Half Technology has more than 100 locations worldwide and offers online job search services at www.rht.com.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

MSIT writeup in Eenadu: Chaduvu

MSIT_chaduvu MSIT_chaduvu manjunathbhatt Eenadu write up about MSIT

MSIT Voice May

Voice May 09 Voice May 09 manjunathbhatt May News Letter

MSIT beckons students

The word IT no more fascinates students, rather it is being dreaded. But IT just cannot be done away with, though one has to live to the ups and downs of the industry and its demands. So those with the best IT skills will always be in demand rather than those who just possess an IT degree.

The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) offered by the Consortium of Institutions of Higher Learning (CHIL) formed by the AP Universities in collaboration with the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), USA is one programme that promises to send out IT professionals who can deal with any situation than just giving an IT degree.

It has been designed to provide industry specialists who have hands-on experience, understand business needs, work patterns and deadline pressures of the corporate environment.

“The key differentiating factor is its unique pedagogy ‘learning by doing’. Evolved through eight years of relentless pursuit of excellence the programme has an extensive support of CMU in terms of course content and faculty training,” says M. Sreenivas Rao, Dean, MSIT.

A few other domain specialisations like bio-informatics are in the pipeline. MSIT Spree has been an initiative to network and celebrate togetherness of belonging to MIST fraternity while MSIT Journeys, a speaker series, has successfully got students in touch with professionals from industry giving them the required inputs and exposure.

The programme also provides teaching assistantships to the second year students.

Despite slow down 80 per cent students are placed this year while all were absorbed in the earlier batches.

The course is offered at the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) (100 seats) and JNTU Hyderabad (150 seats) and is open to B.Tech or B.E graduates or those with a P.G. degree in Computer Science, Mathematics or Statistics.

Last date

Admission is based on entrance test to be conducted online from May 24. The last date for submitting application forms is May 18 and one can apply online also at ‘ www.msitprogram.net.’

Candidates can directly walk-in to the testing centre at the Eduquity Career Technologies Pvt Ltd at My Home Sarovar Plaza, Secretariat Road in Hyderabad from Thursday to Sunday before May 23. Entrance test is waived off for candidates with GRE scores above 1100/3.5 and it should have been taken after July 2006.Details can be had on www.msitprogram.net.


Article in Hindu: http://www.hinduonnet.com/edu/2009/05/04/stories/2009050450480400.htm

It is offered by CHIL in collaboration with CMU, writes R. RAVIKANTH REDDY