Educational and Economic Lessons Learned from 2020

Way back in January 2020 the guests on the Digital Enterprise Society Podcast, like the rest of the world, had no idea what this year had in store. In today’s episode, Craig Brown and Thom Singer welcome back guests Eric Kozikowski, Kevin Del Re, and Soho Yun; three graduate students from Purdue University who are each earning a Masters Degree in PLM. Together they reflect on the changes and opportunities that all of the uncertainties of the pandemic have presented in both the university and the industry settings.   On today’s podcast, you will learn: A look at the effective transition from onsite to virtual learning The virtual learning curve has not been as difficult to navigate as originally anticipated. Virtual learners have been able to quickly adapt to the new COVID-enforced learning environment. Online learning has created alternative opportunities for research testing. Keeping all students actively involved in learning has been more challenging in a virtual environment. University-wide COVID testing and strict social distancing regulations have helped keep Purdue University open.   Career lessons learned from the pandemic Flexibility is key to handling whatever new challenges present themselves. Increased communication and connections within your network have become more important than ever. Reaching out to others is the secret weapon to a successful career moving forward. Respecting others' space is essential to help everyone get through these times. Utilizing communication platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams is essential. Keeping a cloud-based digital copy of all work files will help with an immediate or unplanned pivot to online work.   Progressive industries and economic adjustments in a post-COVID world Businesses have had to adapt to survive these new and trying times. Remote working will continue to be a highly desired option for many companies. RVs, bikes, and sporting goods are more popular and presenting more career opportunities than ever before. Manufacturers are bringing manufacturing back to the US as a result of the pandemic. Industries with vertical integration are going to be increasing manufacturing in the US. The economy is continuing to change, and there are opportunities for work within PLM everywhere.   Do you have an example of extraordinary efforts or innovation during these unprecedented times? We would love to hear your story and possibly interview you for an upcoming episode. Please reach out to us at www.DigitalEnterpriseSociety.org