Careers in hi-tech

Black Collegian, Feb 1998 by Douglass, Fredrick I

Once you become employed in the hi-tech industry, then you must begin formulating a strategy to succeed, such as the following:

Study the organizational structure of your company and determine where you are now, where you want to go, and what you must do to attain your goal.

Learn who the players are and how they fit into the organizational equation.

Network. Seek the advice and counsel of other African Americans working in your field from other companies.

Constantly upgrade your skills; be in a perpetual mode of retrofitting.

Identify the hidden dangers that can hamper your growth; these hidden perils can be people (Black or white) and/or organizational flaws. Develop strategies to protect yourself.

Work hard and document your achievements and contributions to the firm.

Prepare for the opportunity to provide input to the CEO; this may be your opportunity to scale the corporate ladder.

Profile

Louis Cain, Jr., is the manager of Staffing Policy / Strategy and University Partnerships at Bell Communications Research (Bellcore). His responsibilities include developing the mechanisms and alliances that support a proactive, efficient and cost effective staffing program. This includes the Employee Referral Bonus Program, Employee on Customer Site Program, Resource Project Management, Summer Internship and Co-op Program.

Cain has administered or managed co-op internship programs for more than ten years for Bell Laboratories (Lucent Technologies) and Bellcore. This included recruiting, hiring, interviewing candidates and marketing them to hiring managers. He is a member of NJCEA and chair of the Employer Relations Committee. He also serves on the following Advisory Boards/Councils: NJIT Career Development Services, Southern University School of Engineering and CCNY Diversity in Engineering. He is a member of ASEE; chair, Historically Black Engineering Colleges Committee; member, CollegeIndustry Partnership Committee; and, Program Chair, 1998 conference. Cain serves as Bellcore's representative on the New Jersey Business-Education Summit.

Cain's honors include: Bellcore Distinguished Member of Staff Award; Bellcore Outstanding Recruiter Award; Bellcore Pipeline Development Program; NAMEPA Leadership Award and the Southern University Recognition Award. Louis Cain received his B.S. degree in economics from Florida A&M University, and his M.B.A. from Farleigh Dickinson University.