The Australian Computer Society (ACS) is delighted to bring you "Accelerate Your Career", a must for young IT professionals and students. With quality speakers, lots of opportunity for networking, and a relaxed environment, the conference will provide the skills to put you one step ahead whether it be in applying for your first job, your first promotion, or taking the next step into management.

Break-out streams will provide an opportunity for students/graduates and young IT professionals to really focus on the skills you need. The conference is being held in conjunction with the Annual ACT Young IT Professional Dinner on Thursday 8 September 2005.

Susan Ley, MP, Member for Farrer

Ian Dennis FACS , MD, Whitehorse Strategic Group Ltd
Ian will provide an insight into short and longer term trends in the industry, discuss growth areas and provide an overview of salaries as your career progresses.

Neil McGregor, Partner, Accenture
IT investment has never before played such a critical role in business growth. But how do you value the economic investment?

Karen Paxton, Director, The Public Affairs Recruitment Co
Learn how to network successfully from a Master Networker. Karen will share key guiding principles including finding a way to network that suits your personality, and practical tips on preparing for a networking event.

Janelle Ireland & Kimberley Pollock, Career Consultants, ANU
This workshop will show you how to research, prepare and target your resume to maximise your chance of being selected for an interview.

Janelle Ireland & Kimberley Pollock, Career Consultants, ANU
Gain an insight into interview selection techniques and learn how to prepare for and present interviews.

Cheryl Hannah MACS, CIO, DIMIA
Leading a team of around 550 people, Cheryl has lots of wisdom to share on how to interview for a promotion, prepare the transition from technical to managerial and delegate effectively.

Brand Hoff BA MACS FAICD, Director, NICTA and Founder Director, TOWER Software
Gain an insight into planning a successful career in IT. Brand will help you identify the stages of your career, the role the mighty dollar plays, and explore the "Triangle Theory of Careers".

Judy Bamberger, Process Solutions 
Judy will explain why good communication is the key to your personal and professional growth within the IT industry.

Microsoft - Building Trust into Computing

Jeff Alexander MACS, IT Pro Evangelist, Microsoft Australia
Jeff will discuss the progress that has been made in the last year around security of Microsoft products, and discuss some of the challenges that lie ahead.

Jeremy Crooks, University Internship Programs, IBM Corporation
As one of the largest global organisations and the world's largest IT company, IBM is at the forefront of advances in technology and business models. jeremy will provide an overview of the company, its goals and its workforce.

Richard Keech, Chief Technology Architect , Red Hat Asia-Pacific
Open Source represents the most fundamental shift in decades in the way software is developed, sold and used. Richard will discuss the disruptive nature of Open Source and how it is having a profound impact (not least on the choice it gives end users).
He'll also explore how Open Source ideas are escaping the realm of software and are beginning to influence the broader realm of creative work.

Tony Robey MACS FAICD, Director, Wizard Information Services Pty Ltd
Tony will explore what you can "career into" while working in IT.

Luciana Todd, CEO, Life with Balance
Need to more effectively manage your priorities? Luciana will share with you a range of strategies you can use to manage your work/life balance, including prioritisation, scheduling deadlines, managing your space and how to avoid the motivation killers.

Debbie Timmins (Prov) MACS, Young Professional of the Year 2005

Catherine Jaktman MACS PCP, Enterprise Architect, ATO and ACS Canberra Branch Chair
Want to manage your IT career better and move ahead faster? Catherine will share her insights into advancing your career, what professional memberships mean and provide some useful IT career resources.

Dennis Furini FACS, CEO, ACS
Dennis has enjoyed a long and successful career in the IT industry, and will share some closing thoughts on the importance of setting goals, how to stay motivated and why you should never lose sight of the bigger picture.