Information School News

Starting a business is inherently challenging and risky. Entering a world of experienced competitors where you have no standing or reputation means that it’s always going to be an uphill battle to gain recognition and start to be financially viable. What often makes this even harder is that the systems and processes that support businesses are largely modelled around companies that have a track record, not those just starting out. “When a startup is in its early stages - the first five years or so - it’s very difficult to have financial indicators that are above zero to show their funders that they are productive and are experiencing growth”, says Dr Efpraxia Zamani, Senior Lecturer at the Information School and one of four co-investigators engaged in research to address this problem. Dr Efpraxia Zamani With Anastasia Griva (from the National University of Ireland Galway, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme), Dr Dimosthenis Kotsopoulos and Dr Angeliki Kara...

Information School students have the opportunity to take part in the University’s eMentoring scheme which partners students with professionals working in their target field. Through engaging in the scheme and talking with mentors, students gain insights into particular job roles, gain valuable advice about the recruitment process and develop important industry knowledge. Students have two opportunities to register for the scheme, and are matched to a professional volunteer mentor in a relevant job role. All students who applied for the scheme in 2016-17 were successfully matched with a mentor. The student and their mentor meet virtually for 7-10 weeks to discuss technical and professional topics, share experiences of job search and recruitment and discuss applications and CVs. Students who have taken part in the scheme report that they feel better informed about their career options in their field, have improved confidence and feel better equipped to apply for jobs and attend interv...

A number of organisations have been announced as business partners for the Information School’s undergraduate Business Intelligence module. The following organisations will visit the Information School to be interviewed by students at the end of October 2014, before the students conduct research for the companies as part of their module coursework:  Pura Panela , winner of the USE Business Concept competition 2014 Northern Refugee Centre , which works to improve the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Yorkshire and the Humber region Redbrick Workwear , suppliers of personal protective equipment and workwear Common Ground , delivering support and advice on social enterprise Muddy Feet Training , which offers activities and events to get adults and children engaged in the outdoors The Information School is looking forward to working with our partners over the year ahead. To find out about becoming a business partner please contact our Market...

Pam McKinney, Coordinator of the School's undergraduate Business Intelligence module, has secured arrangements with four local businesses to bring real-life issues to the lecture room for students to address. The Undergraduates will work in small groups to investigate the issues, and then present solutions which the businesses can put into practice. This year's partners are: Regather Airy Fairy Emmaus Aspire  As in previous years, these links have been forged in collaboration with the experts at University of Sheffield Enterprise .