Memorable Quotes & Tweets From the #EMSI2015 Conference

Photo: Peter Røise Photography

The fifth annual EMSI conference took place September 21-23 in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Here are some of our favorite sound bites from speakers and attendees as we discussed “Know Your Workforce: The Intersection of Talent and Careers.” Read the full recap of the conference here. 

“The psych major working at Starbucks is an even more systemic problem than unemployment among recent grads.” — Andrew Crapuchettes, EMSI, on underemployment

“Employers don’t care about degrees. They want people who can do stuff. Degrees don’t mean skills.” — Noah Brown, Association of Community College Trustees

“Data must inspire, it must tell a good story, and it must prompt people to do something better.” – Brian Kelsey, Civic Analytics

“We have access to information that can really change the world.” — Jennifer Zeller, Georgia Power

“Data is the quest to understand the universe and communicate about it.” — Brian Kelsey, Civic Analytics

“The goal of education is not to get a good job. It’s one of the goals. It’s not the goal.” — Brian Kelsey, Civic Analytics

Photo: Peter Røise Photography

“We should look at K-12 and college as one continuum.” — Colby Spencer-Cesaro, Workforce Intelligence Network

“This is key to the Walla Walla story: What we do best, we do together.” — Steve VanAusdle, Walla Walla Community College

“From meeting and talking with students, I know that there are a lot of them that have changed their careers or their ideas for their careers based on Career Coach.” — Garner Presser, College of Southern Nevada

“If you say ‘I don’t know’ to a question, the consultant takes you off his or her list.” — Jennifer Zeller, Georgia Power, on responding to site selection requests

“When we find out that companies are looking at coming to Nevada, we dive into research and what Analyst can do.” — Melissa Schroeder, College of Southern Nevada

“It all starts with confidence. Confidence drives behavior.” — Al Adamsen, Talent Strategy Institute, on building a talent strategy

“Imagine a world where you can create your own canvas. There is so much information out there to tell your story.” — Jennifer Zeller, Georgia Power

“We have used data to help DC residents appreciate their city.” — B.P. Walker, Graduate School USA

“Our metric for success should be economic stability for families, not a good median income.” — Colby Spencer-Cesaro, Workforce Intelligence Network

“Look at the importance of talent as a resource and make it your top priority. And be strategic about it so your talent aligns with your clusters.” — Steve VanAusdle

“Continue to reinvent your organization and the people in it. Be brave!” — Steve VanAusdle, Walla Walla Community College

#EMSI2015 is underway, #econdev #highereducation #workforce #corporations all together to talk about #talent and #careers.

— John Pernsteiner (@johnpern) September 22, 2015

Kicking off #EMSI2015 “Getting people the right job so they can have a better life” Andrew Crapuchettes — Lori Kelley-Burdine (@LBK323) September 22, 2015

A lot of food for thought at #EMSI2015 Or maybe it’s data for thought. — K Altucher (@ka16) September 24, 2015

Confused what to study in college? Test “find your calling” and identify fields of study and economic demand #emsiconference — Julie Gacnik (@Jgacnik3380) September 22, 2015

#emsi2015 Helping people #findyourcalling – 6 questions! pic.twitter.com/veLMjiX5a1 — TN CC Dyersburg (@TNCCDyersburg) September 22, 2015

#emsi2015 data that makes a difference — JessG (@JessGilmoreWA) September 22, 2015

“Data always trumps frameworks.” @civicanalytics #EMSI2015 — Rob Sentz (@EconomicSentz) September 22, 2015

“No amount of federal or state money will fill a leadership vacuum in a region.” @civicanalytics #EMSI2015 — Rob Sentz (@EconomicSentz) September 22, 2015

“Data is about helping us know how to do something better” @civicanalytics #EMSI2015

— Rob Sentz (@EconomicSentz) September 22, 2015

What talent should you hire or invest in? Great insights from @aladamsen at #EMSI2015. #WINSEMICH learning lots here! pic.twitter.com/fTn5JjOMyE

— Colby Cesaro (@datadiva_Colby) September 22, 2015

The 4 Cs of workforce planning from @aladamsen. Capability. Capacity. Cost. Construct. Is your company thinking right? #EMSI2015 #WINSEMICH — Colby Cesaro (@datadiva_Colby) September 22, 2015

We are in a creative space now where data and innovation is driving business forward – Jennifer Zeller #emsi2015 — Paul Nguyen (@mrpaulnguyen) September 23, 2015

“Don’t underestimate returning military for workforce needs.”-JZwller. Amen. Vets are a key talent pool to tap! #EMSI2015 #WINSEMICH

— Colby Cesaro (@datadiva_Colby) September 23, 2015

Smiling as Keynote: Walla Walla ComColl says …”Governor from TN gets it…#DriveTo55 #EMSI2015 #ProudPartner #SCTWA pic.twitter.com/4YE4oXxCMM

— jan.mckeel (@janmckeel) September 23, 2015

When it comes to getting data out quickly for site selection requests, “Thank God EMSI exists.” @datadiva_Colby. pic.twitter.com/XFwRXRGvSQ — EMSI (@desktopecon) September 22, 2015

“Companies that can attract and retain the best talent will win the 21st century” – Steve VanAusdle, Walla Walla CC at #EMSI2015 #WINSEMICH

— Colby Cesaro (@datadiva_Colby) September 23, 2015

“EMSI, to me, is the gold standard of labor and economic information.” — Lindsay Scott of Xerox and Buck Consultants. #EMSI2015

— EMSI (@desktopecon) September 23, 2015

Corey Bucher of Lowe’s: “People don’t find people; computers find people.” Big reason why the wording people use on their resumes matter. — EMSI (@desktopecon) September 23, 2015

“We CAN close the skills gap by reallocating scarce resources. It’s painful, but it’ll work.” – Pres. VanAusdle WallaWallaCC #EMSI2015 — Colby Cesaro (@datadiva_Colby) September 23, 2015

For more information about EMSI data and what we do for higher education, workforce/economic development, and businesses, please contact us. Follow EMSI on Twitter (@DesktopEcon) or check us out on LinkedIn and Facebook.