On a rainy November evening on 16th November, Innovation Forum (IF) held an open day at Manchester Metropolitan University to recruit students and young professionals to join the growing team at the Manchester branch.

The event included presentations from IF representatives and a talk from a career expert on how to succeed in the job market, followed by a networking session. 

Participants of the recruitment event expressed delight to hear how Innovation Forum inspires and connects people and resources in spite of the small, but effective team at Manchester.

Most of the attendees were students and graduates from the universities within the city, as well as other regions of the North-West.  

Speakers emphasized for STEM graduates the value of soft skills

Anastassia Bolotkova, Business Development Director, started the evening by highlighting the importance of having soft skills under the belt for recent STEM graduates, followed by an introduction to the IF organisation and where Manchester branch sits within it.  

Part of her talk was a video presentation showcasing the recent Innovation Forum Leaders Conference in Cambridge last September.

The event was also graced by Peter Crane, IF Chief Business Development Officer, who traveled from Oxford for the day to share his expertise in Business Development and reveal the economy of IF at the international level. He also gave personal examples of the importance of motivation, engagement, and readiness to tackle new challenges for one’s career progression.

An expert in the field of career development, Nicola Critchlow of MMU concluded the presentations with a talk on soft skills that employers value the most in recent graduates.

“Apart from good credentials, Nicola said, speaking and listening, problem solving, and enterprise awareness prove to be the top three skills which are a must for graduates to move up the career ladder.”

Networking event was a good continuation of the evening

Q&A and networking sessions over wine followed after the presentations. Participants and IF Manchester team members exchanged ideas about the current state of technology in the UK and the possibilities of scientific innovations in the North-West. They also discussed, how IF can bridge academia, industry, and the government.

It was the first, but a very successful event! Motivational talks, new faces, bright ideas…Are you interested in joining the team? Do you have friends, who want to improve their business and marketing acumen? Or do you know somebody, who has a great idea, but don’t know, how to start up a business? Email us: [email protected] or [email protected].

Join us on another open day event, which will take place in winter, 2017!

Also, next IF Manchester conference will be focused on the Internet of Things in spring, 2017. For more information, visit: www.inno-forum.org or follow Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk .

Finally, IF Manchester would especially thank IF global team and Nicola Critchlow for coming to the event and sharing their expertise and MMU for providing a great venue!