Lenovo, the number one PC manufacturer in the world, is in the process of acquiring servers from IBM, which will double its presence in the Triangle and potentially benefit N.C. State graduates looking for a job.
Three quarters of N.C. State alumni go to work in North Carolina after they graduate from an undergraduate program according to University Planning and Analysis. Of those 75 percent, 50 percent go to work in the Research Triangle Park, said Leslie Rand-Pickett, assistant director of Employer Relations at the Career Development Center.
Though the $2.3 billion deal, which is still in the works, Lenovo will acquire IBM’s x86 server business. Lenovo, which employs about 2,500 people in North Carolina, is expected to offer jobs to 7,500 IBM employees worldwide with a major contingent located in the Triangle.
Vincent DeCaro, an executive project manager and director of Project Management for Lenovo, said N.C. State graduates will have much to gain from the company’s expansion in the area.
“I am positive that our continued presence and expansions in North Carolina will benefit NCSU graduates, whether that is for opportunities at Lenovo, our partners or even our service suppliers,” DeCaro said.
Rand-Picket said in situations such as this where employers quickly expand their presence, experienced workers are generally hired first, but new graduates will see the benefits eventually.
“They have to build up those foundations within their organization, so it usually takes longer to see that campus recruiting ramp up, but it typically does happen,” Rand-Pickett said. “You have to have the experienced folks there to get the business going before you can have them available to train and mentor new hires.”
However, because Lenovo is offering jobs to many of IBM’s employees from the x86 server business it’s acquiring, Rand-Pickett said it’s possible new graduates will see positions available more quickly.
According to DeCaro, it’s not only computer science majors and engineers who could potentially seek employment with Lenovo. DeCaro said Lenovo hires a wide range of skills, from new to experienced professionals in fields such as sales and marketing, communication, law, finance, operations and software and hardware engineers.
“Lenovo will continue to hire the best and brightest possible to fill open vacancies when they occur, and I think NCSU offers a great pool of diverse candidates, no matter the field of study,” DeCaro said.
DeCaro said students should not limit themselves to their major when considering employment at Lenovo. Instead, they should look at the positions available and consider their own strengths and weaknesses.
“For example, an engineering student may be a great fit for a market analysis position, or a marketing student may be best in Human Resources,” DeCaro said.
According to DeCaro, the newly announced acquisition will bring a whole new set of products and technologies into Lenovo’s global portfolio.
“While the acquisition stage is still early and not complete, we all hope that these new business areas will allow us to continue to grow and complete even more effectively at the highest of levels,” DeCaro said.
The deal between the companies is expected to close in six to nine months.
Rand-Pickett said IBM is a very popular employer among N.C. State graduates because of its close proximity.
