2011 STEM Summit

Rich James, F5 Networks

Sr. Manager, Recruiting

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About F5 Networks

• Network Appliances– Managing/securing/powering Internet Applications– Proprietary hardware, Linux software based

• HQ: Seattle• Nasdaq: FFIV, $1 Billion+ Annual Revenue• 2,200 Global Employees

– 65% of all employees are in the US– 80%+ of engineering employees are in the US

• 700 positions filled in 2010

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Engineering Disciplines Hired For

• Computer Science (BS or higher)– Software (Developers & Testers)

• Features, user interface, performance, protocols & compatibility

• Electrical Engineering (Associate or higher)– Hardware (Designers & Testers)

• ASIC, systems, components, manufacturing

• Information Systems (Associate or higher)– Computer Networking

• Integrated solutions, troubleshooting & support

– Database (Programmers & Analysts)• Internal systems and tools

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Skills in Demand

Companies Like F5• Non-Windows Programming/Scripting

– Python scripting, C programming– Linux or UNIX platform

• Internet protocols & networking

High-Tech Industry in General• Programming/scripting across all platforms• Internet protocols & networking• Mobile Apps• Monitoring/management/diagnostics• Compression

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The “Choice” Graduate

• Is a problem solver– Analytical thinking/deductive reasoning– Troubleshooting

• Has some meaningful project/work experience– Internships/co-ops

• Northeastern (US), University of Waterloo (Canada)

– Coursework including team and solo projects

• Has people skills, and passion– Communication skills– Learned about target industries & companies– Is proud of/excited to talk about problems they have solved