Note: this post was updated on 13 & 16 August

Great to catch up with so many cool companies at our Company Launch event on 12 July!  Company registrations are open for Summer of Tech 2010, and with less than 3 weeks till the “Meet & Greet” event, now would be a great time to sign up!! 

Download our 2010 Company Brochure here 

Here’s some more downloads designed to provide more information for companies considering hosting a Tech Intern this summer: 

1. SoT2010 Company Key Dates (updated 16 August)

2. Candidate Profile

3. SoT2010 TechNZ Expression of Interest Info  Updated 13 August, here

4. SoT2010 Student Bootcamps (updated 16 August) 

5. SoT2010 Skills Matrices (updated 16 August)

Here’s some more detail on what’s in each of these downloads:

1. Summer of Tech Company Timeline  

It’s winter, why on earth are we talking about summer students so early in the year?  Common question.  The primary reason is that the top students will get snapped up early, so employers who want “first pick” get in early.  Internships happen for 3 months from mid-Nov to mid-Feb.  But to maximise your benefits from the programme, you should get started in July 

Another reason is this nasty thing that happens at schools in October called end-of-year exams.  Students are somewhat distracted at the end of the academic year, so better for everyone if summer work is sorted by the end of September. 

TechNZ – companies that are applying for funding to support students working on R&D projects, you need to get your expression of interest in by mid-August, and final funding application in by early October. 

It takes time to filter through student profiles to find the right match for your company & project.  Summer of Tech makes it easy, by presenting the top candidates on our website, but companies still need to spend time browsing, filtering & short-listing, meeting candidates, interviewing and making final selections. 

Here’s the link again: SoT2010 Company Key Dates

2. What can interns do?
If you’re new to Summer of Tech (and hey, everything beyond “Code” is new for everyone this year!) you might be wondering what kinds of students are available for internships, and what kind of work they can do.  We don’t want to be prescriptive, and happy to discuss potential projects with you 1:1. 

Here’s an overview of our students, and some ideas for the kindss of internship projects that might be possible: Candidate Profile 

3. TechNZ application information
 
13/8: Check out the updated information: here 

Every year, TechNZ’s processes are refined.  In 2010, they’re launching a new online application process, which on the positive side, will save on manual processes & paperwork (yay!) but on the negative side, isn’t quite finalised yet (uh oh!).  Never fear, the trusty Grow Wellington team will keep us informed and up to date with information! 

Key things to know about TechNZ in 2010: 

• it is competitive! you need to get a good application in EARLY
• the funding process is separate to Summer of Tech.  You may not know if your funding is approved before you engage your intern.
• this year TechNZ has stated a strong preference for funding companies that they already have an existing relationship.  If this is your first time applying to TechNZ, you’ll need to have a truly awesome business case (i.e. have huge growth potential, and solid commercial & technical advancements from your Interns project)
• … AND that goes for everyone!  TechNZ funding decisions are based on an investment framework (i.e. they’re looking for commercialisation, high-growth, technically innovative products & services)
• parameters are about the same as last year: once you’ve received the green light to apply, you can submit an application for $16+GST per hour up to 400 hours.  Standard deal is one intern per company, but larger companies and/or those with an existing relationship with TechNZ may apply for up to 3.
• Funding again works as a reimbursement (if approved, you’ll need to cover wages all summer, then get reimbursed at the end)
• Looks like approx. 180 185 Summer Interns will be funded by TechNZ throughout NZ this year
• questions about TechNZ applications need to be directed to growwellington@technz.co.nz

Here’s our ”almost official” guide to applying for TechNZ funding for your Summer of Tech project: SoT2010 TechNZ Expression of Interest Info UPDATED TECHNZ INFO: here

4. Summer of Tech Bootcamps
Whilst you’re busy getting your project scoped, mentor lined up, and clearing a workspace for your Summer of Tech intern, we’re busy preparing the interns to meet you!  Summer of Code has developed a curriculum of “Bootcamps” design to upskill students in soft and technical skills. Summer of Tech continues the tradition, and 2010 has seen a much bigger (& earlier) emphasis on “soft” skills like communication, CV and portfolio preparation. 

Here’s an overview of our 2010 Bootcamp programme (and ideas for 2011 topics would be most welcomed!): SoT2010 Student Bootcamps

5. Summer of Tech Skills Matrices
When you’re writing up your interns’ project descriptions, you’ll need to select one of our 4 “Streams” (Code, Engineering, Design or Business Analysis).  To help you figure out which one is most relevant to you, here’s a full list of the skills we’ve assigned to each “Stream”: SoT2010 Skills Matrices
…if you haven’t already done so, please register on the Summer of Tech website!
…and if you’d like to have a chat about Summer of Tech in more detail, please contact the team via info@summeroftech.co.nz

Greetings potential employers!  The Summer of Tech 2010 candidates are waiting to meet you on the SoT website… Here’s a quick guide to how to create your Company Profile, and how to “browse” Candidates.

Next step – Sign Up!

Is there life after Summer of Code??
Oh yes!!… SoC 09 interns are getting ready to finish off their studies, move into contract or permanent roles in their host companies or finding other opportunities for the next step in their IT careers. 

We want to stay in touch!  Please join our LinkedIn group – “Summer of Code – New Zealand”.  This is where we’ll post ad hoc job opportunities, notices, announcements, and it’s a great way of staying connected to the wider community of SoC alumni & supporters.

So – what’s it for?
Maybe you’ve got an idea for a Bootcamp topic? Want to suggest a seminar speaker? There’s a job board, and lots of space to discuss stuff. 

But mostly, LinkedIn is about staying connected.

Here’s an interesting article on oddest questions that companies like to ask at interviews…
like…

What’s your best Macgyver moment?

If you were a brick in a wall which brick would you be and why?

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

Develop an algorithm for finding the shortest distance between two words in a document. After the phone interview is over, take a few hours to develop a working example in C++ and send it to the manager.

Some of these are classic. Be aware these types of questions do happen.

There is a great book called How to move Mount Fuji at Amazon on puzzle interview questions.

Unlimited Potential presents Geeks, Games and Gadgets!

Wellington’s premier road show event for the IT industry, Gadgets, Games and Geeks, is back, bigger and better! GGG09 will be at the St James Theatre on Courtenay Place on 24th August. We are also pulling together an exciting lineup of speakers, so be ready to be blown away!

Date : 24/08/2009
Time : 4:30pm – 9pm

Join up to UP and RSVP on the site.

Here’s an awesome quote from Chris Anderson, the Editor in Chief at Wired magazine.

When asked

“A lot of bright kids out there, just leaving school, would love to have your job one day. Hell, a lot of them would love to just have a job on your team. What advice would you give them, in order to make that happen?”

“Don’t wait to be given a job to do something cool. Follow your
passions, create something every day, take chances and try to be the
best in the world at something, no matter how tiny and trivial.
Nothing impresses me more than initiative. And there has never been a
better time to take it.”

Inspiring words !

I just found these articles on interviewing. They’re a great reminder as to what’s important when looking for a new candidate.

• The ABC of Interviewing
• Interviewing – Look for quick thinking not right answers

Both contain great tips for both students and companies for the upcming Summer of Code.