Annie Schowalter Introduces IR/PS Students to the Technology World of Qualcomm
04/14/2009
Mira Mendoza,
Annie Schowalter is a first year MPIA student focusing on International Development in Latin America. Her professional interest lies in the intersection of technology and international development, so she is always keen to learn more about the latest and greatest trends in technology.
David Robertson, Director of IR/PS Career Services, introduced Annie to IR/PS alumnus Joel Rabasco '96, Staff Product Manager for Qualcomm MediaFLO, USA. When Joel offered to host a tour of the MediaFLO broadcast center for interested students, Annie jumped at the opportunity to peek inside. MediaFLO is a truly innovative platform that is designed to leverage the mobile environment to deliver broadcast quality video media content. It is a market leader and right in our back yard!
At the end of the winter quarter, Annie Schowalter organized a career tour to Qualcomm, and made it possible for other IR/PS students to visit MediaFLO. She also expressed an interest in Qualcomm's Wireless Reach Initiative, which brings wireless technology to developing communities around the world, so Joel invited fellow IR/PS alumna Gabriella Manriquez '97, Senior Director of Government Affairs for Qualcomm, to participate in the tour.
The tour was also joined by Professor Roger Bohn, who is currently leading a multi-university research project entitled “How Much Information?” to measure and explain the growth of data and information in home and business uses. In spite of their very busy schedules at the end of the quarter, ten IR/PS students representing five different countries attended the tour.
Annie’s Qualcomm visit highlights:
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Witnessing the MediaFLO broadcast control room that would surely rival NASA! It was a showcase for sophistication and precision!
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Listening to Gabriella Manriquez talk about her work to overcome regulatory challenges that impact the expansion of new products into emerging markets
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Learning from Joel Rabasco about challenges to the MediaFLO business model and a product manager’s responsibilities bringing new applications of the technology to different markets within the USA
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A group discussion with IR/PS international students Joel and Gabriella regarding the dramatic variance in sophistication of mobile video content technology across nations.
The MediaFLO tour provided the students with knowledge about a cutting edge technology application and how the IR/PS toolkit is relevant for private-sector careers. Many students left re-motivated to aggressively pursue their studies. Joel and Gabriella put an especially strong emphasis on the importance of such IR/PS courses as accounting, operations management, and the policy making process for their current careers. One of the best career tips offered by the alumni was to join a smaller, lesser known company first where one has the chance to take on more responsibilities early in their career.
