App Development – A Career of Opportunities

According to Pew Research, 97% of U.S. adults own a mobile phone and 85% own a smartphone. In addition, approximately 55% of website traffic worldwide comes from a mobile device. The rise of mobile device usage as a means to communicate and conduct business offers opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses. Developing marketable skills within app development provides opportunities for an interesting and financially rewarding career.

Successful app development requires a variety of skills. On the technology side, the app development team must create secure code for the mobile device, web servers, and database servers needed to support the application (i.e., full-stack development). Coding, however, is only part of the puzzle. Apps must have user-friendly and eye-catching designs. Graphic designers performing user experience (UX) design are an important part of the app development team. Like any product, apps should be developed, implemented, and distributed through an appropriate product strategy that includes consumer research, clearly defined goals, project management (including agile development), excellent communication, testing, efficient distribution, and maintenance.

Our panelists include experts on app development from business and education. The panel overview app development and discuss the process, techniques and technology used to create apps. They will also discuss careers and the skills needed to enter the field.

The virtual panel consists of local educators and industry professionals. You have an opportunity to listen and ask questions on Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 10-11: AM.

Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/294235969404140

Live Event Link (will only be active when the event starts)
https://www.facebook.com/techprizeracine/live

Some topics that will be covered include:

The panel will provide an overview of Application Development
Give insight into the Application Development Cycle
Highlight application design in business
Identify careers, and describe paths for entering those careers
Identify ways for you to get started.
Q&A

The following individuals will take part in the panel discussion.

Dirk Baldwin (moderator) – Retired Dean of the College of Business, Economics, and Computing at UW-Parkside. Dr. Baldwin has a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems with a minor in Computer Science. He has extensive consulting experience and chaired the Information Technology Practice Center in SE Wisconsin.

Zaid Altahat – Director of the App Factory and Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Dr. Altahat has demonstrated history of working in the higher education & software industry. He has experience with Embedded Software, Healthcare, Software Engineering, Mobile & Web apps, and Agile Methodologies. He has multiple publications related to developing quality and secure software applications. In addition to his academic experience, he has worked as a principal and lead software engineer for Baxter International, UniqueSoft, GE Healthcare, and Motorola. The App Factory is a creative, professional, interdisciplinary group that develops mobile apps for clients located in Wisconsin and beyond. The App Factory employs students to develop mobile apps for paying clients. To request a consultation from the App Factory see https://appfactoryuwp.com/.

Ruth Briones – Lead User Experience (UX) Designer at SAP Labs’ Mobile Center of Excellence in the Asset Management group. SAP is one of the world’s leading producers of software for the management of business. The goal of Mobile Center of Excellence group is to accelerate customer value and growth in strategic, core and incubation industries in manufacturing and supply chain and Internet of Things (IoT) / Industry 4.0. This includes establishing strategies and co-developing (mobile) solutions for on-premise, public and private cloud together with other teams using a user-centric approach. Ms. Briones specialties include UX design, user interface design, design thinking, wire-framing, rapid-prototyping, design consulting, data visualization, predictive analytics concepts and design, IoT, machine learning, mobile design (iOS + Android), user research, usability testing, branding, and art direction. Prior to joining SAP, Ms. Briones worked for IBM and Capital One. Ms. Briones has a degree in graphic design with certificates in web design and project management from UW-Parkside.

Christian Hur – Full-stack Web instructor, author, and indie filmmaker. He teaches computer programming and full-stack web development in the School of Manufacturing, Engineering, & IT (MEIT) at Gateway Technical College. He has over 25 years of experience in Web development, and he has taught computer programming and Web development courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In industry, Mr. Hur has built many applications using various Web technologies. Aside from his full-time teaching career, he’s an author and instructor for LinkedIn Learning, Packt, E-C Council, Udemy, and MC Press. He also co-founded a small independent game development and film production company with his wife where they make awesome low-budget movies and mobile apps. Mr. Hur holds a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems (Web Application Development) from Boston University.

Hanh Le – Mobile Developer/Software Engineer at Facebook. Ms. Le is an experienced mobile developer for Android and iOS using a variety of software development tools and processes. She loves creating products that please clients, improve communities, and bring joy to her users. In addition to programming skills, Ms. Le has experiences with animation and video editing. Prior to joining Facebook, she worked for Motorola as an Android Developer. She has computer science degrees from UW-Parkside and Hochiminh City International University. Prior to graduating from UW-Parkside, Ms. Le had significant development experience with the UW-Parkside App Factory. Within the App Factory, she developed apps for Bradley Corporation, farmer markets, Kenosha Parks, Racine Zoo, and WGTD.