From Tech Taco Tuesdays to VR Lab: Brandon Goff’s Journey at 71 North
When students walk into the 71 North Partnership Studio, they’re stepping into more than just a space filled with cutting-edge technology; they’re joining a community where creativity, collaboration and innovation come to life. A place where ideas are nurtured, and where students like Brandon Goff are launching their professional futures.
Building the Foundation of Innovation
Brandon Goff is not just a member of the 71 North community—he helped shape it. As an original member of the space, Brandon has been deeply involved in shaping the culture and spirit of innovation that defines 71 North. From hosting events like Tech Taco Tuesdays and the Appy Hour podcast to helping launch flagship initiatives like Start-up Stand-up, Huskie Hackers, and the Huskieverse VR Lab, Brandon’s journey through the studio has been one of active participation and leadership. Reflecting on his journey, Brandon shared “Being so ingrained with the activities in the studio has given me a chance to get a better idea of how I can use my education to better position myself professionally, what that might look like, and even start down the path towards gaining relevant experience and training to jump-start my career.”
Skills for the Future
One of the standout experiences for Brandon has been his work on the Vespa Mode project, where he took on project management responsibilities after learning about Agile frameworks. By applying the Scrum framework, he and his team were able to make the most of their time and efforts, delivering iterative progress and valuable project outcomes. This hands-on experience with Agile is the kind of marketable skill that will set him apart in the competitive job market. “I started helping with project management on the Vespa Mode project after learning about Agile frameworks,” Brandon says. “Using the iterative approach of the Scrum framework, we were able to effectively use the time invested in our work. This is highly valuable and marketable experience that I will be able to use to help boost my chances when pursuing a career in my field.”
The Future of Huskieverse
Looking ahead, Brandon is optimistic about the future of the Huskieverse. He sees the potential for the studio to continue pushing the boundaries of student innovation, leveraging the creativity and hard work of its members. As he puts it, “There are so many incredible people attracted to our space. I think when hard-working, highly capable young minds find each other and are given the facilitation needed to explore fun and challenging projects, that is when we see the most incredible things happen.”
He adds, “The Huskieverse is geared towards mostly VR projects, but we are fortunate to have many creative people working with us, so although I’d say the sky is the limit, recently another group in the studio space showed us that’s still too low, haha.”
A Transformational Experience
For Brandon, the 71 North Studio has been a transformational part of his academic and professional journey. The connections he’s made, the skills he’s gained, and the projects he’s helped bring to life have all contributed to his growth as a future innovator. “It has been invaluable to my academic and professional growth,” he reflects. “From diving into the kind of learning you just won’t find in a traditional classroom to making connections that will carry on long past my time at NIU, I would say giving as much time as I have to the 71 North Studio has been one of the greatest investments I’ve ever made in my life.” For students looking to jump-start their careers, find a community of like-minded creators, and work on real-world projects, 71 North is the place to be. If you’re ready to start your own journey at 71 North, get in touch today and take the first step toward building your future.