COVID-19 forced us all to explore every facet of our communications, workforce development, logistics and much more. We were all made to adapt and pivot, and pivot some more. Ultimately the pandemic laid bare our strengths and weaknesses. SMU is rethinking how we partner with the local community and industry. To that point, we are proud to announce a new initiative called “SMU Industry Forum: Preparing for the future of work.” SMU is re-committing to industry-driven curriculum!
The goal of the Industry Forum initiative is to bring SMU and industry together to identify crucial skills gaps and opportunities in the workforce. When higher education and industry work together, we ensure a knowledgeable workforce for the future. Think of this initiative as a hybrid listening tour. It will be open-ended, brainstorming session and future forecasting session.
Industry Forum participants consist of thought leaders and innovators from across industry. Ultimately, this research will be shared with SMU faculty and leadership. Changes we foresee making include:
- Updating existing curriculum
- Adding new “modules” to fill academic “holes”
- New online programming like Certificate Programs or Master’s Programs
In the coming months, an SMU Industry Forums report will be compiled detailing findings and next steps. To request a copy of the final report email blpark@smu.edu.