Pace University Upgrades Workforce Experience Skills For Students

Press release from Pace University:

Feb. 2, 2021

Pace University is partnering with Saberpoint, a leading IT consulting and digital solutions company with offices in the US, India and Israel, to provide specialized software, technology and skills training for students that will provide them with critical workplace experience and fast-track their careers.

In establishing the Saberpoint Technology Professional Development Fund at Pace, Saberpoint President and CEO Ajay Bhumitra intends to complement and augment academic learning by funding valuable hands-on internships, mentorship, and training programs. The initiative will also create a pipeline of professionals that have the skills that companies are looking for.

“As a Pace graduate, I am thrilled to establish the Saberpoint Technology Professional Development Fund in collaboration with the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University,” Bhumitra said. “With our shared goals of advancing a diverse and innovative workforce, I am committed to working with my alma mater to empower Pace students with the business and technology skills needed to succeed in the evolving global economy.”

The partnership started out in 2020 as a pilot program with 18 students, and was such a success that it continues to grow and evolve. Now, it’s expected to become a more formal part of the curriculum. A key aspect of its initial success was a 10-week program aimed at teaching students how to effectively use Salesforce, a leading software program widely used in industry to increase sales, maximize return on investment (ROI) and optimize communications with clients. The goal is also to help students gain potentially career-advancing certifications from the popular, yet complex sales tool, and award scholarships to cover exam costs.

“Partnerships like this are such a benefit to our students’ educational experience,” said Dr. Jonathan Hill, Dean of the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University. “Saberpoint, in particular, offers an excellent hands-on training process that allows students to gain in-demand skills in Salesforce, and to put what they’ve been learning in the classroom into practice directly. When they graduate from Pace, they will be even more prepared to enter the workforce and land great jobs where they can offer their skills in impactful ways.”

The partnership with Pace has been remarkably successful for Pawan Tilwani, a computer science major who graduated in May 2020. While at Pace, Tilwani worked as a graduate assistant to Dr. Anthony Joseph, professor and co-chair of the Computer Science Department, and received guidance from Pace’s Department of Career Services on resume writing, coaching, communications, and career advisement. He later completed a six-month internship with Saberpoint. Under the company’s tutelage and guidance, Tilwani earned several Salesforce certifications that he estimates would have taken up to five years on his own. He is now a 4X certified Salesforce consultant and works at Saberpoint full-time.

“They were invested in my success,” said Tiliwani, of India, noting that everyone from the CEO to sales associates were helpful and eager for him to succeed. “They really cared for my professional growth. It’s a family environment. Everyone is there for you.”

This press release was produced by Pace University. The views expressed here are the author's own.