IE11 Not Supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

University of California Builds Networking Site for IT Professionals

The private group has accumulated 350 participants so far, and could be worth emulating for the state of California, which has discussed how to develop a similar type of network to cultivate staff development and interdepartmental collaboration.

The University of California system has launched an online network on LinkedIn for its IT professionals, according to the Office of the President.

The private group has accumulated nearly 350 participants so far, and could be worth emulating for the state of California, which has discussed how to develop a similar type of network to cultivate staff development and interdepartmental collaboration.

Tom Andriola, the university system's CIO, said the idea is for every UC IT worker to have a profile, and they're using LinkedIn to "not reinvent the wheel."

"Actually LinkedIn was very excited about the idea because of the size and scale we're bringing," Andriola said during a webinar last month.

The network should help staff more easily share their skills and expertise across the university's campuses and medical centers.

"Right now it's word of mouth and your personal network. We need to get beyond that," Andriola said.

The state of California has considered whether to build its professional network in-house or instead use a commercial platform. Last year CalPERS launched Illuminet, its own professional networking site built internally, and planned to share it with the California Department of Human Resources and the rest of state government.

Matt Williams was Managing Editor of Techwire from June 2014 through May 2017.