College Connection Workshop to Help Business Develop Internship Programs; Connect with Education

April 21, 2010 - PRLog -- Providence, R.I. – April 21, 2010 – Tech Collective, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (AICU) of Rhode Island are partnering to present The College Connection workshop on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Junior Ball Room 555-556.

The event’s Keynote Speaker, Richard Bottner, President and CEO of Intern Bridge, will present on the benefits of hosting interns and how to create and market an effective internship program within your organization. In his afternoon address, Richard will speak on key generational gaps with the incoming “millennial” workforce – a highly anticipated follow up to questions raised at last year’s College Connection event. Richard will additionally facilitate roundtable discussions and breakout sessions to connect business with internship resources, including career representatives from RI colleges and universities.

Human resource managers, internship coordinators and business professionals – whether with or without an existing internship program – are encouraged to attend the event. Full-day cost of the College Connection is $45.00, including breakfast, lunch and a copy of Richard’s book Total Internship Management: Supervisor’s Handbook.  

“The College Connection event is part of a growing initiative within the state to promote internships and connect RI Businesses and educators with the resources they need to build effective internship programs,” said Kathie Shields, executive director, Tech Collective. “Last year’s College Connection event welcomed over 80 business, government and education professionals. Many left excited about the internship potential and wanting more – and at this year’s event, we are proud to deliver it! On behalf of all involved in the fruition of this event, we are excited to welcome Richard to again speak at the College Connection in an all new program and to encourage local business leaders to attend, connect with peers and educators and discover how an internship can truly help foster business vitality.”

Additional topics of discussion will include: the legalities of internships, utilizing student interns to save money on short term projects, making the business case for internship programming and marketing internships to students and interviewing potential interns. The College Connection is presented in conjunction with the Business EXPO 2010. For more information and to register, visit www.tech-collective.org.

About AICU Rhode Island:
The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island is an alliance representing the eight independent institutions of higher learning within the State of Rhode Island. Designed to address common interests and concerns of independent colleges and universities within the state, the Association serves as the collective and unified voice of its member institutions. AICU Rhode Island represents its membership on the national level through the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) and joins 37 state associations nationwide working to strengthen and address the needs of independent higher education through advocacy and public policy. For more information about AICU Rhode Island, visit http://aicuri.org/wordpress.

About Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce:
The mission of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce is to foster the development of a positive and productive business climate for our community through economic development, business-to-business relationship building and effective public policies and government. For more information about the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, please visit www.provchamber.com.

About Tech Collective:
Tech Collective is Rhode Island’s Information Technology and Bioscience Industry Association. Uniting industry, government and academic stakeholders, our mission is to inspire, engage, educate and employ a high-skill, high-wage Knowledge Economy in Rhode Island. Since its transition from the Rhode Island Technology Council (RITEC) in 2004, Tech Collective has received more than $6M in federal, state and private grant funding to foster industry collaboration, awareness and development through events and initiatives including: GRRL Tech, Women in Technology, Bio-Ed, Tech Laureates’ Night and STEM-based education and training programs for K-16 students as well as incumbent and transitioning workers. For more information about Tech Collective, please visit www.tech-collective.org.  

Contact:
Giselle LaFrance
Manager of  Media Relations
Tech Collective
401-521-7805 x101
glafrance@tech-collective.org