Educational and Economic Lessons Learned from 2020

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Way back in January 2020 the guests on the Digital Enterprise Society Podcast, like the rest of the world, had no idea what this year had in store. In today’s episode, Craig Brown and Thom Singer welcome back guests Eric Kozikowski, Kevin Del Re, and Soho Yun; three graduate students from Purdue University who are each earning a Masters Degree in PLM. Together they reflect on the changes and opportunities that all of the uncertainties of the pandemic have presented in both the university and the industry settings.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On today’s podcast, you will learn:</span></p> <p><strong>A look at the effective transition from onsite to virtual learning</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The virtual learning curve has not been as difficult to navigate as originally anticipated.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Virtual learners have been able to quickly adapt to the new COVID-enforced learning environment.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Online learning has created alternative opportunities for research testing.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Keeping all students actively involved in learning has been more challenging in a virtual environment.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">University-wide COVID testing and strict social distancing regulations have helped keep Purdue University open.</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>Career lessons learned from the pandemic</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Flexibility is key to handling whatever new challenges present themselves.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Increased communication and connections within your network have become more important than ever.</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><sp