A lot can happen in a weekjust ask Matt Moone '09.
Last January, Moone was among a select group of CMC students chosen to spend winter break in the company of some pretty powerful tech execs in the Bay Area. Coming back to CMC afterward, Moone jotted down his regard for the opportunity, alongside many other participants. He called the ITAB Networking trip "a once in a lifetime opportunity to pick the brains of the greatest minds in the tech industry," adding that, "During my time on the trip I formed valuable connections, gained a comprehensive industry perspective, and learned firsthand just how far my CMC education can take me."
Every year the stacks of comments from students like Moone get higher, and this year shouldn't be much different. The Information Technology Advisory Board's annual Networking Trip to Silicon Valley has introduced dozens and dozens of CMC students to some of the biggest names in the technology industry.
This year, stops will be made at Applied Materials, Atlassian, EA Sports, EMC2, Google, KKR, Lockheed-Martin Space Systems, Meebo, Microsoft, and YouTube, as well as a dinner with alumni entrepreneurs in the Bay Area. (Certainly worth giving up a few days of vacation, right?)
Those wanting to be considered for this year's tripscheduled Jan. 10-15, 2010, should make their move now. Student applications for the 2010 ITAB Networking Trip to Silicon Valley are being accepted now through Friday, Oct. 23.
By official standards, this is an annual opportunity for CMC students to establish relationships with Claremont McKenna alumni working in the Silicon Valley, while gaining exposure to various job opportunities in technology (marketing, human resources, finance, management, and technical). The goal, organizers say, is for these relationships to evolve into summer internship and full-time job opportunities for CMC students in the Silicon Valley.
The trip is chaperoned by Cynthia Humes, Claremont McKenna College's Chief Technology Officer, as well as CMC Trustee and Chair of the ITAB Bart Evans '70.
Students who wish to apply must complete a formal application; submit their resume, a school transcript, and a brief essay. Applications are reviewed by a sub-committee of the College's Committee on Academic Computing.
(Apply online: http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/itab/application/)
Students will be notified of their eligibility by Sunday, Nov. 1. Those living on campus (not abroad) will be required to attend two mandatory meetings on Thursday, Nov. 12 and Monday, Nov. 30.
Participants are responsible for airfare and ground transportation costs to and from the Networking Trip headquarters hotel, the Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park. The ITAB will cover all lodging expenses and provide for food and transportation related to the business of the Networking Trip from Sunday evening through Friday morning of the specified week.
During the trip, students will visit a number of companies hosted by CMC alumni in executive positions. Host companies are asked to provide the following:
A private meeting with the corporate executive hosting the visit (a CMC alumnus)
An informational presentation on the organization (usually involving a CMC alumnus)
Time for questions and answers between CMC students and the presenter
A panel of young employees (preferably with a CMC alumnus or alumni) to discuss their roles in the organization and to answer questions
A tour of the company's facilities
A presentation from a recruiter within the firm that will enable CMC students to gain a better understanding of career opportunities
Either breakfast, lunch, or dinner
In addition to the company visits, the trip includes a cocktail reception in conjunction with the Silicon Valley Chapter of the CMC Alumni Association.
On Friday, of the week involved, the trip concludes and students depart, unless they choose to stay in the Bay Area to spend time sightseeing. Those students remaining in the Bay Area are responsible for covering any expenses they incur after the conclusion of the trip.
Many students who have participated on the Networking Trip to Silicon Valley have landed internships and jobs; Humes says, at such places as Atlassian, Cisco Systems, Google, Infosys, and Sun Microsystems.
More information, and testimonials from students who have gone on this trip, can be found at http://www.claremontmckenna.edu/itab/.