[Hidden-announce] Internship Fair - Signup Now

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INTERNSHIP FAIR AT UMASS

When: Tuesday, Oct. 24
Time: 5 - 8 p.m.
Where: UMass Fine Arts Center


Oct. 24 Internship, Job and Networking Fair at UMass Fine Arts Center
Lobby Presents Opportunities to Attract Affordable Labor, Help Students

Struggling to get that project out on deadline?

Wishing you had a few extra set of hands to 
reorder your database or finally launch that marketing blitz?

Tuesday, Oct. 24 will be your chance to meet with student interns eager
to bolster any number of your goals and efforts. The UMass Information
Technology Program,* in conjunction with The UMass Office of Career
Services, is providing the lobby of the UMass Fine Arts Center to
Hidden-Tech and Regional Technology Corporation (RTC) companies, along
with some outside entities, interested in working with interns from
UMass and the Five Colleges.

The Case for Interns:

Most of you don't need to be told that the Five Colleges and other
Pioneer Valley institutions of higher ed have a wealth of students
seeking internships and mentoring. College students can provide a big
boost to just about any small company. Many of them are trained in
everything from computer programming to marketing. They're eager to
help, to learn and will sometimes work in exchange for credits.
Certainly, they will provide a Hidden-Tech company with affordable labor
in exchange for some mentoring.

Some Hidden-Tech proprietors will wonder if a student will provide more
headaches than help.  That depends a lot on you and your willingness to
work with young adults. You should approach an intern the way you do any
job candidate: make sure you set firm limits and understand all of their
needs before you take on student labor.

(See list below of the types of students who attended Hidden-Tech's 2003
internship fair at Hampshire College.)

How the Internship, Job and Networking Fair Will Work:

   * The IT Program will reserve exhibiting space for 28 Hidden-Tech/RTC
companies (table top-only exhibits). If you choose to share or swap
space with another company, you should make those arrangements on your
own. The PR/Programming committee can make a list of companies who have
pre-registered available for you to call.

   * You will share a six -foot work table with another Hidden-Tech/RTC
company. This means you have about three feet of space on your table ? 
room enough for hand-outs, lap tops and small displays of the sort used
at the recent Hidden-Tech opener on Sept. 12.

   * Also, Hidden-Tech/RTC companies can come as attendees rather than
exhibitors. If so, all organizers and sponsors request you do not crowd
out students at tables. If you plan to network with companies or, even
better, connect with students, please do so outside the exhibition
space.

   * The IT Program and UMass Career Services will have a list of
students and short bios available for all exhibitors and attendees. 
Hidden-Tech will prepare a similar packet for students with the help of
Career Services.

   * There will be drinks and snacks available at various stations in
the room.

Things For Exhibitors To Bring:

   * There are limited electrical outlets. If you want power, bring
power strips, long extension cords and tape to cover the cords.

   * Bring a company sign and prepare sign-up sheets for interns.

Warning: Please do not plan to put stand-up signs or displays on the
floor unless they are at the back of the booth and outside the main
thorough fare. Space will be tight.

The Agenda:

4 - 5:15 p.m.: Registration and set up for exhibitors.

5.30 to 6:30 p.m.: Students will have a chance to walk the room and meet
with companies exhibiting.

6:45 p.m.: There will be a short program introducing the IT Program,
Career Services, Hidden-Tech and RTC.

7 - 8 p.m. - Additional exhibiting and networking time.

Benefits of Signing up Early/Fees:

Companies who sign up by Oct. 6 will have a first crack at exhibiting,
plus enjoy the reduced "early bird" registration rate of $25. The
following are fees for exhibitors and attendees depending on when you
register and the size of your business:

Cost to exhibit through Friday, Oct. 6 - "Early Bird"
   Hidden-Tech companies (1 - 10 employees max): $25
   Larger Companies (over 10 employees):        $100

Regular Price - October 7 - 24
   Hidden-Tech companies: $40
   Larger Companies: $150

NOTE: Attendees: (Non-student) $10 at the door

How to Register:

Companies can register starting now by using this 
link to the Hidden-Tech online form.
	http://www.appilistic.com/form-magic/Hidden-Tech/intern_fair.html

Shortly, there will be a live link to this form available at
www.hidden-tech.net. Go to the promo that will be posted on the home
page under EVENTS. This form has a link to PayPal, which is located on
the Hidden-Tech Web site.

 Or Use paypal to pay to ap at hidden-tech.net

 Or you have the option of writing a check to Hidden-Tech and mailing it to:
	Heather Row
	Hidden-Tech Treasurer
	P.O. Box 1075
	Amherst, Ma. 01002

Warning: Space will be limited. Exhibitors must pay at the door or bring
proof of previous payment to be allowed into showcase their business. If
you use PayPal it generates a receipt. Please bring that. If you choose
to write and mail a check be prepared to show the door people your check
register, or consider writing a check at the door. Cash is always
acceptable.

Types of Students Who Attended the 2003 Hidden-Tech Internship Fair at
Hampshire College:

   * You can expect students to have diverse skills and varying degrees
of expertise. Here are some examples of UMass students with technology
skills who sought internships with Hidden-Tech companies, though there
were others involved in publishing, marketing, the arts, etc . . .:

   * An MBA student with a bachelor of science degree in civil
engineering. Fluent in Spanish and English, he has attended leadership
courses in Mexico and Columbia, worked for the Colombian Red Cross and
recently composed and recorded a solo CD. Skills include both tech and
business.

   * A senior majoring in computer science, he has experience in
building power supplies for housing units. Some management and
purchasing experience. Plus he's fluent in Italian.

   * A non-degree graduate student focusing on MBA courses, he is
developing a student-led startup that uses technology to create
non-conventional commercial applications. Also fluent in Spanish and
English, his skills include tech and business.

   * A Colombian native, he holds a master in computer science and is
fluent in both English and Spanish. He was a partner/founder of a
startup to use digital pen and automatic handwriting recognition
technologies for the health care industry.

   * A software programmer with a BS in computer science, he has
experience designing and implementing non-trivial software projects in a
group of programmers. He has worked as a Web application programmer and
XML and VXML and backend developer for local companies.


* UMass Amherst is a leader in its cross-disciplinary approach to IT
education.  Students in the IT Program pursue a major discipline of
their choice and complement that study with coursework leading to an IT
Minor.  These courses apply IT knowledge to a wide range of academic
disciplines, including English, public policy and administration, legal
studies, computer science, art and art history, finance,
journalism/communication, and over a dozen other fields of study.