• A Hybrid Conference – In-Person and Virtual Presentations
  • Technical Conference:  24 – 28 March 2024
  • Exhibition: 26 – 28 March 2024
  • San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California, USA

The Suzanne R. Nagel Lounge

 

Named in honor of the first woman chair of OFC, Suzanne R. Nagel, the Lounge, hosted by IEEE ComSoc, IEEE Photonics Society, and Optica,  is an inclusive networking space that offers all attendees the opportunity to hear from leaders in the field, discuss diversity trends and explore new business opportunities.

See below for the schedule of activities in the Lounge including discussion sessions driven by leaders in the community that are designed maximize learning and connection. Each discussion leader will be in the lounge throughout the time shown on the agenda to share their insights, tips and guidance on the topic and be ready to answer your questions.

Don’t forget there will also be complementary headshots throughout the week and a networking reception on 26 March, 16:00 – 17:00 with welcome remarks from Nancy Erba, CFO from Infinera, the Lounge's new sponsor. 

 

 

Nagel Lounge Program Schedule

Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

Tuesday, 26 March
Event Name Event Details Time
Complementary Headshots

Offered through the exhibit in the Nagel Lounge.

10:00 - 17:00
Building, Maintaining, and Leveraging Your Professional Network

No matter where you are in your career, your professional network contributes greatly to your growth and development. However, building a solid professional network does not happen overnight. Join us for an informal session on how best to create a strong professional network at any career stage.

Speaker

Brandon Buscaino, Ciena, USA

10:30 - 11:00
Making Sense of the Show Floor

How do you make sense of the OFC show floor? What are the “must-see” exhibits?  How do you approach exhibitors and other colleagues to learn new things and expand your network of contacts, or seek a job?  Come to the Lounge for an informal and friendly discussion and get answers to all your questions.

Speaker

Pouya Dianat, Technical Director Corporate Engagement, Optica, USA

11:30 - 12:00
Resume Writing Tips for 2024

Whether you’re an executive or an entry-level candidate your resume has only one objective – that is to get you an interview.  In this session, Common Agenda’s Matthew Reaves will share several practical resume-writing tips to give yourself the best chances.   

Speaker

Matthew Reaves, Managing Director, Common Agenda, LLP, USA

13:00 - 13:30
The Role of the Sales Professional

Discover the key skills and attributes that companies prioritize when hiring for sales positions. Explore why young scientists and engineers should be interested in sales, leveraging their technical knowledge to bridge gaps and drive innovation. Uncover how sales seamlessly integrates with other company functions, such as marketing, product development, and research and development, to maximize organizational success.

Speaker

Heidi Westbrook , Director of Cloud Infrastructure Providers, Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc., USA

14:00 - 14:30
Nagel Lounge Networking Reception

Join us for a reception to network with other women in the optical fiber communications community.

16:00 - 17:00

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Wednesday, 27 March
Event Name Event Details Time
Complementary Headshots

Offered through the exhibit in the Nagel Lounge.

10:00 - 17:00
Navigating Corporate Strategy in Technology: Keys to Success

Join Shan to explore the essence of corporate strategy and its pivotal role in business success. Discover how technology companies formulate and implement their tech development strategies, and gain insights into the diverse range of job opportunities and sought-after skills within this dynamic field.

Speaker

Jun Shan Wey, Distinguished Engineer, Technology Standards Planning, Verizon Communications, Inc., USA

11:00 - 11:30
Job Search 1, 2, 3

Whether you are contemplating a future position or have found yourself in need of an immediate job search, Common Agenda’s Matthew Reaves will walk the group through the three steps of planning and carrying out a successful job search.

Speaker

Matthew Reaves, Managing Director, Common Agenda, LLP, USA

12:00 - 12:30
My Journey – Managing a Career & Family

Join Aleksandra to discusses the lessons she has learned throughout her career. Learn how choices she made, opportunities she took advantage of, and the people she met along the way have influenced her career – an how she manages all that with a family. 

Speaker

Aleksandra Boskovic, Corning Optical Communications

13:00 - 13:30

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Thursday, 28 March
Event Name Event Details Time
Exhibitor Only Time: Complementary Headshots

We will start 30 minutes before the show floor opens for exhibitors looking to update their headshots. 

09:30 - 10:00
Complementary Headshots

Offered through the exhibit in the Nagel Lounge.

10:00 - 16:00
What Does Working in Industry Look Like?

Research, product line management, sales, communications, and more… come learn about the variety of types of jobs that exist in industry, and the skillsets needed for those positions. Join Jelena Pesic to hear about her varied career path including research engineer in Bell labs, system integration specialist, head consulting engineer, and director of optical strategy at Nokia, and from others she has interacted with throughout her career.

Speaker

Jelena Pesic, Director of Optical Strategy, Network Infrastructure, Nokia , France

11:00 - 11:30

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