IT Expedition
IT Expedition is an initiative led by volunteers from the joint chapter between the Computer and Communications Society and the IEEE student branch of the Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia. This program marks the first time we offer half-day technical visits exclusively for our university chapter members, with two visits planned for this year. The first visit is scheduled for mid-April at the Barranquilla Mayor's Office, where participants will tour various departments within the Secretariat of Planning—particularly the IT department. During this visit, students will have the opportunity to observe operations related to IT support, server administration, and more, as well as receive a comprehensive presentation on the suite of software solutions developed at the Mayor's Office to address urban challenges. The second visit, planned for the second semester of the year between September and October, is to Claro, where members will gain further exposure to industry practices and the latest in technology. Co-sponsored by: IEEE Uninorte Agenda: Visit to Barranquilla's Mayor Office Visit to Claro 08:30 - 09:00 | Morning Check-in & Welcome - Registration and safety briefing - Distribution of visitor badges 09:00 - 09:45 | "City Tech in Action" - Introduction to the Secretariat of Planning - Brief overview of the different departments and their roles - IT Department Presentation - Insight into support operations, server administration, and software solutions 09:45 - 10:30 | Department Tours - Guided walk-through of relevant offices - Observe day-to-day tasks in server rooms, help desks, and application development areas 10:30 - 10:45 | Break & Networking - Refreshments and informal conversations - Opportunity to discuss initial impressions and ask quick questions 10:45 - 11:30 | "Meet the Experts" Sessions - Rotating visits with IT teams - Hands-on demos or Q&A with specialists in server management, data analysis, and software development 11:30 - 12:30 | Software Solutions Showcase - Presentation on software developed to address urban challenges - Deep dive into specific applications that facilitate city services 12:30 - 13:00 | Closing Session - Day recap and key learnings - Group photos and acknowledgments - Preview of next company visit (Claro) 08:30 - 09:00 | Morning Check-in & Welcome - Registration and safety briefing - Distribution of visitor badges 09:00 - 09:45 | "Behind the Screens: A Day in Tech" - Company Overview Presentation - Introduction to Claro’s mission, values, and core business areas - Tour of Development and Operations Teams - Meet team leads and get an overview of daily processes 09:45 - 10:30 | On-Site Technology Exploration - Guided visit to key departments - Network infrastructure, customer support, data centers (if possible) 10:30 - 10:45 | Break & Networking - Refreshments and informal conversations - Opportunity to connect with Claro professionals 10:45 - 11:30 | "Meet the Experts" Rotating Sessions - Q&A with Industry Professionals - Discuss career paths, industry trends, and specific projects - Live Demos - Possible demonstrations of new or ongoing technology initiatives 11:30 - 12:30 | Panel Discussion - Future of Telecommunications and Technology - Insights into how Claro is adapting to emerging trends like 5G, IoT, etc. - Tips for students entering the tech sector 12:30 - 13:00 | Closing Session - Day recap and key learnings - Group photos and acknowledgments - Final remarks and next steps Calle 34 No. 43 - 31, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia