The Commonwealth announced today a program to connect talented local college students and recent graduates
to internships with leading companies in the high-growth tech sector in
Massachusetts. “There’s definitely a need to capture students coming to
Massachusetts for education,” says Seth Andrea McCoy, communications manager
for the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech). “A lot of talented
people come to the Commonwealth and, unfortunately, they don’t all stay here.” The number of internships will vary
based on available funding. The program anticipates having sufficient funds to support a minimum of 100 interns between spring 2013 and spring
2014.
From the portal:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
has joined with MassTech to create this dynamic tech internship program.
We are working closely in collaboration with leading universities,
technology councils and other tech sector organizations in Massachusetts.
How it works: Through this portal, students and companies are provided
with the necessary tools to connect online. Students can apply to be matched
with participating companies; and companies can register by completing the
application process. Through this program, MassTech will
reimburse eligible companies for up to 50 percent of the intern payroll cost,
up to $4,800 annually.
STUDENTS: You must be attending or be a recent graduate of a
Massachusetts college or university. This program is also open to any
Massachusetts residents attending or recently graduated from any accredited
college or university outside of Massachusetts. Click here for the intern application form. For
additional information and eligibility requirements, please see our FAQ.
COMPANIES: You must be a Massachusetts Tech Sector company. All
Massachusetts Tech Sector companies are eligible to register and use this
portal to recruit interns. Only those companies with less than 500 employees
are eligible to receive reimbursement. If your company would like to
participate, please fill out the company
application form. For additional information and eligibility
requirements, please see our FAQ. Click
here for more information on the reimbursement
stipend.
Click here for a comprehensive overview
of the program. If you would like additional information, or if you require
technical support, please contact us at intern@masstech.org
or (508) 439-5510.
The Announcement:
The program described above was
officially announced in Cambridge this morning. Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, Speaker
Robert DeLeo, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki, Bill
Brah, Executive Director, Venture Development Center at UMass Boston, and
Pamela Goldberg, CEO of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative today
announced the launch of the MassTech Intern Partnership, a public-private
partnership generating tech sector internship opportunities.
The MassTech Intern Partnership was
created as part of the Jobs Bill legislation that was passed by the Legislature
and signed by Governor Deval Patrick in August 2012. MassTech will
provide a matching stipend to eligible tech sector companies that hire an
intern through the program. The Intern Partnership’s goal is to
capture more of the outstanding talent that passes through Massachusetts
universities and colleges into the state’s tech sector.
Industry Partners:
Several industry partners have
already joined with MassTech to support the Intern Partnership including the
Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council (MassTLC), the Venture Development
Center at UMass Boston, the Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange
(MITX), the New England Venture Capital Association (NEVCA) and the
Massachusetts High Technology Council. MassTech will also partner with
the Venture Development Center at UMass-Boston to strengthen the internship
experience.
Angels Invisible:
It is not obvious that any angel
groups or accelerators were told about this plan or invited to participate. ACA
President David Verrill says he didn’t know about it. Perhaps we should tell some of the officials mentioned above that angel investors back far more Mass. companies than do venture capitalists.
Angel funded companies
have participated in earlier programs.
Jenny Freeman, CEO at Respiratory Motion, tells us she has happily employed
interns paid through a similar program run by the Mass. Life Sciences Center.
"Respiratory Motion has had the
benefit of participating in the Mass Life Science Internship Challenge program
for three consecutive years," says Dr. Freeman (Jenny). "This has led to the hire of 3 interns as permanent
staff. Mike Lalli, a bioengineer from Haverhill graduating from the University
of Connecticut, was in the first group and given his raw talent and tutelage
from our industry veteran VP of Engineering has transitioned into the role of
Director of Product Development. Mike was instrumental in developing our first
product which received FDA clearance last September. Other hires in marketing
and clinical studies have also greatly assisted in the development of the
company. Interns have worked at Respiratory Motion in a variety of roles, from
conducting in-house clinical studies with our respiratory monitor, to
conducting hospital trials, to assisting with publications and patents. Interns
have benefited not only from the mentored learning environment, but now many have
publications or patents on their CVs from their time here. Frankly, without the
Mass Life Science interns, the company would not have made the progress we have
to date. As we approach product launch within the next month, Respiratory
Motion is looking forward to receiving a 'new crop' of interns this summer
eager to work in high profile hospitals or participate in the launch of a
revolutionary new medical device"
1 comment:
Student will surely enjoy the internship program.
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