Midwest: July 2026: Day 1: RCD Nexus Day

Midwest

July 2026: Day 1: RCD Nexus Day

Sheraton Downtown Minneapolis Convention Center used to be the Millennium Hotel Minneapolis.

Discussing the research computing data professionals workforce.

Aka at RCD Nexus Day 2026.

Pay is laughably bad.

Research computing data actual activities.

Complaining about lack of identification of RCD.

Attendance is good art CaRCC Nexus Day.

Private sector pays a lot more.

Identifying RCD jobs is not straightforward.

Executive lounge at the Sheraton.

Remains of breakfast.

The Nicollet Diner. Menu.

Menu.

All American Breakfast, with upgrade to french toast.

French toast is kinda sad, barely touched with egg batter.

Inside The Nicolett Diner.

Straight from Reno to Minneapolis the day before, a rather slow bus ride from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to downtown Minneapolis as the light rail is temporarily closed for maintenance, and an apparent club/party vibe at the hotel on arrival?

Thankfully when morning came, the party was over, and it was time to head to pre-conference activities, aka CaRCC RCD Nexus Day (Campus Research Computing Consortium Research Computing Data Nexus Day). They had two different tracks, I chose the one discussing research computing and data (RCD) professionals workforce development. Got some valuable tidbits, especially regarding pay at entry/middle/senior levels, as well as RCD Nexus Day's attempts to help clarify the definition of research computing and data professionals. The latter they seemed particularly concerned about in helping potential employees find jobs that would align with their interests, as well as helping existing RCD professionals improve their skills and address their situations in workforce development.

Lunch was at the near by Nicollet Diner. Pretty meh American food, but they had breakfast, some style both inside and out, and it felt like they were trying-- they were just let down multiple somewheres in the execution.