For those of you interested in finding resources helpful to preparing for and finding roles in software engineering and/or product management, check out the Top Resources tab of this newsletter.  New resource content has been provided by alumni members of the Technology Middlebury Professional Network.

Also, watch the new videos on the Stories from the Field tab.  We hope to add new stories each week.

Python coding for democracy

Help Cadent develop open source software for the OSET Institute. Neil Johnson (’87) is developing open source software in Python to generate ballots for disabled voters as printable PDF files. Check out the BallotLab repo on GitHub to see the latest code. 

We’re looking for volunteers who want to learn how to:

• develop an app in Python
• work in a team using GitHub and other online collaboration tools
• Use industry best practices to create important open source software
• make voting and elections more secure and transparent while increasing the integrity of the vote.

Qualifications

None, except a willingness to learn, and a desire to improve our democratic processes. 

In addition, the following skills are much appreciated:

• A familiarity with coding, especially using Python
• Excellent written communication skills
• Project management abilities are a plus

Shohoj Limited Internship

Middlebury alum Khalid Quadir ’89—CEO and founding partner of Brummer & Partners Asset Management Limited (which manages Frontier Fund, the first private equity fund in Bangladesh) and founder of bracNet, a Bangladesh wireless broadband operator—is offering a unique summer internship opportunity for two Middlebury students to experience the challenges and rewards of working for a rapidly growing company providing a critical service in a frontier market space. The paid, remote internships are sponsored by the Anwarul Quadir Foundation (AQF), which seeks to promote understanding of economic and social progress in Bangladesh.

AQF is funding two remote internships in technology with Shohoz.com at $3500. Owned and operated by Shohoj Limited, Shohoz.com is a premium online and on-demand service provider committed to make the life of Bangladeshi’s convenient, easier, and smarter by giving a wide range of products and tech driven solutions through App and the online ticket reservation system. The company sells millions of train and bus tickets covering all major transportation routes in Bangladesh. Being the main service provider in the online ticketing service, the team is in the position to make a positive impact in the lives of millions of people by providing a seamless and user-friendly ticket reservation experience.  Apply in Handshake.

For students interested in technology research positions in the aeronautics tech segment: This REU program will provide undergraduates with a comprehensive research experience in the context of unmanned systems, a rapidly growing field of scientific and technological research. REU students will participate in carefully prepared research projects on unmanned systems with topics including unmanned aerial vehicle control, behavior studies of robots in complex environments around humans, characterizing and developing vehicles for atmospheric profiling, and asset management during wildfires with unmanned aerial vehicles. More information here

For students interested in technology research positions in the biomedical technology segment: The Biomedical Engineering REU is designed to provide independent research experience for undergraduate students, broaden participant knowledge of opportunities in academia, industry and national laboratories, and introduce participants to interdisciplinary research in biomedical devices. More information here

Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Summer Internship Program

Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) summer internship program.

The Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) promotes a more diverse industry by recruiting promising students of color like you and placing them in multi-year paid internships at some of the nation’s leading media and tech companies, such as Comcast NBCUniversal, Discovery, Hearst Television, the New York Times, the NFL, Spectrum, and ViacomCBS.  In South Burlington, VT, EBF has multiple in-person internships in the engineering and technology fields.  College sophomores and juniors with a passion for data analytics, engineering, design, computer science, etc. are encouraged to apply.

You are eligible to apply for an EBF Internship if you meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Are a student of color (Asian, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Black, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, or Multi-Racial)
• Plan to attend or are currently a student at a four-year accredited college or university
• Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0
• Are interested in pursuing a career in media and tech
• Are a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
• Speak and write English fluently
• Are curious and willing to learn and challenge yourself

Interested students can apply directly on our website: https://www.emmabowenfoundation.com/application_info

Middlebury Summer Research Assistant (RA) Positions

Professors Gregg and Byker in the economics department are offering a Summer 2022 RA position to continue developing an interactive web application to teach statistics and regression concepts (check out our current version at go/econsims).  They are looking for a student who has taken Software Development and/or Information Visualization or has prior experience with developing single page applications in React.  The project requires knowledge of statistics at the introductory level or higher.  Background in economics would be helpful, but not essential.  They would be interested in hiring a student who could work for at least 4 weeks over the summer up to 10 weeks.  Though they would prefer to work on campus, remote work will also be an option if needed. Please send an email to tbyker@middlebury.edu and agregg@middlebury.edu if interested!

Geopipe Vermont Innovation Summer: Software Engineer Intern

Geopipe is an early-stage start-up with offices in NYC and Burlington, VT. We’re creating the authoritative whole-Earth digital twin, built by AI. Our technology enables customers and creators to develop real-world-based 3D applications and experiences across gaming, simulation, architecture and design, and more. This is currently a $17 billion market, growing to over $82 billion by 2027. We’re backed by world-class investors such as Amazon Alexa Fund, AME Cloud Ventures, Matrix Partners, and Village Global.

• You will work as part of our R&D team to understand high-level product vision and customer requirements.
• You will implement, in C++, core machine-learning/computer vision and (inverse-)procedural modeling algorithms, with varying levels of oversight. These algorithms rely on mathematical techniques from linear algebra, probability, and geometry.
• You will use Git to manage your source code.
• You will deploy your code on our cloud platform, to test it on large scale geospatial datasets (and ultimately generate 3D content that will be available to customers). This will require you to interact with remote machines via a Unix shell.
• You will have the opportunity to apply cutting-edge research in machine learning, computer vision, and computer graphics.
• Your contributions will help ensure the success of an early-stage startup.
• Your metrics for success will be based on meeting key R&D milestones.
• Your path to success involves an enthusiasm for the product, a willingness to learn new skills as needed, and an ability to modularize complex implementation tasks into manageable components and execute on each of those components in turn.

This position is part of Middlebury College’s Vermont Innovation Summer cohort program, sponsored by the Innovation Hub. This program supports students working with companies and on self-directed projects across Burlington’s innovation ecosystem. For more information about Vermont Innovation Summer, please contact Ben Yamron at byamron@middlebury.edu.

Geopipe Vermont Innovation Summer: Deep Learning Intern

As a product-focused deep tech company, we’re excited about problems at the intersection of Computer Vision and Deep Learning, and exploring the intersection of Reinforcement Learning, Imitation Learning and various forms of weak supervision. We see cutting-edge research as an essential part of our culture and long-term success.

• You will work closely with our research team to understand high-level product vision and customer requirements.
• You will have the opportunity to apply cutting-edge research in machine learning, computer vision, and computer graphics.
• You will implement, in Python, core deep-learning/computer vision and (inverse-)procedural modeling algorithms, with varying levels of oversight. These algorithms rely on mathematical techniques from linear algebra, probability, and geometry.
• You will use Git to manage your source code.
• You will deploy your code on our cloud platform, to test it on large scale geospatial datasets (and ultimately generate 3D content that will be available to customers). This will require you to interact with remote machines via a Unix shell.
• Your contributions will help ensure the success of an early-stage startup.
• Your metrics for success will be based on meeting key R&D milestones.
• Your path to success involves an enthusiasm for the problem and product, a willingness to learn new skills as needed, and an ability to modularize complex implementation tasks into manageable components and execute on each of those components in turn.

Vermont Innovation Summer: VCET Venture Associate

VCET is hiring two Venture Associates to support our work investing in early stage tech and tech-enabled businesses starting and scaling in Vermont. This is a fantastic learning opportunity for students looking for hands-on experience in venture capital and startups. The roles are full time through the summer with some flexibility for vacations and occasional remote work. 

This opportunity is part of Middlebury College’s Vermont Innovation Summer cohort program, sponsored by the Innovation Hub. This program supports students working with companies and on self-directed projects across Burlington’s innovation ecosystem. For more information about Vermont Innovation Summer, please contact Ben Yamron at byamron@middlebury.edu.

Internship opportunity at Gardeners Supply in Burlington, VT

We are seeking a talented software engineer intern to join our IT department for 10 weeks during the summer of 2022. You will work be working primarily with JavaScript development and data and analytics ETL. Experienced colleagues will always be available and willing to provide guidance and learning opportunities. Your work will have direct and immediate impact for our business and customers.

MiddWorks for Vermont: Data Project Management and Data Governance Internship – Agency of Education

This MiddWorks paid internship position is a temporary role with the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE)’s Data Management & Analysis Division (DMAD). DMAD represents the crew of Data Scientists who support the agency as an enterprise resource.
The successful applicant will be welcomed by a tight-knit group who handle the vast majority of the Agency’s most critical data workflows. Reporting to the Education Data Project Manager, Bob Keeley, this internship opportunity will provide a chance to become immersed in the practice of DataOps in a government organization.

Research Analyst Intern at Sports Innovation Lab

Analyst Intern ResponsibilitiesThe data team is responsible for curating, building, and analyzing data in our proprietary database. Data analysts are responsible for analyzing the data, finding insights in the data, and combining extant research and data to provide clients with actionable insights. 
Responsibilities and deliverables include:

1. Custom Insight Research – for retainer clients like the NFL, Google, Elevate, and more.
2. Data synthesis and analysis – monthly insights, infographics, and reports on the Most Innovative Teams, the Power Play Index, and the Behavior Series
3. Client Support – attend meetings and listen to client needs, record notes and requests, and help to organize and project manage research deliverables for client projects

Sports Technology Target Market Project

HelloCoach Network, “HelloCoach,” is an online networking platform connecting talented coaches with sports organizations looking to hire. We aim to be Care.com meets LinkedIn for the sports community. HelloCoach enables sports organizations to easily hire top coaching talent for their teams, clubs, clinics and camps, as well as to provide a targeted destination for quality coaches to find job opportunities. By creating the first ever professional network dedicated to the sports community, HelloCoach members can make valuable connections creating, sharing and accessing coaching related content. Our mission is to elevate the sport experience for all young athletes, in all locations and that starts with connecting great coaches with sports organizations, in need.

Midd Gig Opportunity: SheFly Apparel

SheFly Apparel, an early-stage apparel startup founded by 3 Midd grads, is looking for a student or recent grad for a one-week project.  The gig will provide a back-end developer coding experience to help us optimize our website. Beginner experience welcome.

Compensation: $300

Start Date: ASAP

Project Duration:1 week

Apply on Midd Gigs

Data Science Fellowship at the Institute for Defense Analysis

The IDA Data Science Fellowship provides recent graduates a unique opportunity to develop and apply data science skills to important issues in national security.  Data Science Fellows will investigate the ways machine learning, artificial intelligence, statistics, and big data methodologies contribute to national security and gain experience developing advanced data science tools They will use their critical thinking and analytic skills to work on challenging real-world national security issues.  

REU internship

Florida Atlantic University’s Institute for Sensing and Embedded Network Systems Engineering (I-SENSE) hosts an intensive summer research program in sensing and smart systems for talented undergraduate students across the country.

Closely related to the Internet of Things, smart systems represent an emerging class of distributed systems that provide real-time awareness of conditions, trends, and patterns to support improved decision-making, and often, automation. The on-campus research will focus on I-SENSE’s three main program areas: Infrastructure Systems, Marine and Environment and Health and Behavior.

SmarterTravel

A digital marketing and travel company based in Cambridge, MA, recently opened our recruiting pipeline for our entry level data analyst position.  Melanie Mandell ’21 encourages your application and would be happy to answer any questions that any students might have about the company and position.

Broad Institute Associate Computational Biologist

For those of you biology and computer science students interested in bioinformatics, you may want to check out this opportunity with the Broad Institute as an Associate Computational Biologist

Note: you will also see links to other computational biologist roles within this posting.

Coding It Forward: Coding, Data Analytics, and Design Opportunities in the “Tech for the Common Good” space

Click below to find Designer, Engineering, Data, and many other kinds of positions.

Women In Data Science Gathering

Friday May 6, 2022
1:00 – 4:00 PM EST
MBH 216

Join us to learn how data science is used in various fields, and to hear advice from recent Midd alums working in data science careers.

WiDS Middlebury is an independent event that is organized by WiDS Middlebury Ambassadors as part of the annual WiDS Worldwide conference organized by Stanford University and an estimated 200+ locations worldwide, which features outstanding women doing outstanding work in the field of data science. All genders are invited to attend all WiDS Worldwide conference events.

Schedule (all times approximate)

Opening remarks (1:00-1:05)

Keynote speaker (1:05-1:40)
Dr. Elena Tej Grewal, Founder of Data 2 the People

Lightning talks from Middlebury College professors (1:40-2:45)
Carrie Anderson, Associate Professor of History of Art & Architecture
Tanya Byker, Associate Professor of Economics
Kathryn Crawford, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies

Break (2:45-3:00)

Alumni panel discussion (3:00-3:50)
Beatrice Lee ‘20.5, Research Assistant at Survey Center on American Life
Trisha Singh ’18, Research Data Scientist at Meta
Grace Weissman ‘21.5, Special Projects Analyst at Planned Parenthood

Closing remarks (3:50-4:00)

Technical Interview Prep Program

The Technology Middlebury Professional Network (MPN) and CCI are again sponsoring this summer’s Technical Interview Prep Program for students interested in pursuing internships and full-time positions as software engineers. The program provides 2022 rising sophomore, junior, and senior student participants with practice technical interviews, a critical component of the interview and hiring processes for most software development and engineer roles. Apply in Handshake

What do Companies Look For in a New Product Manager?

It’s important to get inside your interviewer’s head. What are they looking for?  Aside from intellect, smarts, the power to adapt, think and act on their feet? They want a person who is motivated to do the job, can work with different teams and has the ability to prioritize features that they already know users are looking for. A Product Manager has to be resilient, strategic and insightful. Which means the hiring company will ask a multitude of questions to figure out if you are the one.  Check out more product management interview prep info in the “Top Resources” tab of the Technology Newsletter

Fusion via the ‘tokamak’ works differently than the fission process at the nuclear plants we’re familiar with

A giant, doughnut-shaped machine delivers a major climate-change breakthrough — sustained nuclear fusion

Here’s the technology being used to watch Russian troops as Ukraine invasion fears linger

Satellite images, social media and a rapid explosion in data transform preparations for war

Why Microsoft could be ‘extremely well-positioned’ for metaverse success

As companies seek to build out the metaverse, Microsoft Corp. may already have many of the necessary tools in its pocket.

The metaverse has become a hot buzzword lately as companies like Facebook-parent Meta Platforms Inc. FB, -4.23%, Microsoft MSFT, -1.85%, Roblox Corp. RBLX, -8.57% and Epic Games explore the possibility of new virtual worlds through which people can connect. The concept is still in early innings, and it’s not yet clear whether there will ultimately be one or many metaverses, but Bernstein analyst Mark Moerdler has confidence in the idea that software companies stand to benefit as the tech world works to realize its virtual vision.

Marketwatch.com’s Tech Megatrends of 2022

You may want to read this article from Marketwatch.com which references tech’s 10 megatrends for 2022.  While the article is intended to point out stocks for investment purposes, the organizations referenced may be worth investigating as you plot your career exploration efforts. Read more here

Amazon outage underscores vulnerability of the internet

A major outage in Amazon’s cloud computing network Tuesday severely disrupted services at a wide range of U.S. companies for more than five hours, the latest sign of just how concentrated the business of keeping the internet running has become.

The incident at Amazon Web Services mostly affected the eastern U.S., but still impacted everything from airline reservations and auto dealerships to payment apps and video streaming services to Amazon’s own massive e-commerce operation. That included The Associated Press, whose publishing system was inoperable for much of the day, greatly limiting its ability to publish its news report.

Robots helping quell cravings

With popularity spiking amid pandemic, tech now being tested on college campuses

Data Analytics

What exactly is data analytics? What would you be doing as a data analyst, and what kind of hard and soft skills do you need to start learning? In this video introduction, Career Foundry gives you a simple overview of data analytics, and detail some tangible examples of what the role involves!

How a mistake by YouTube shows its power over media

Every hour, YouTube deletes nearly 2,000 channels. The deletions are meant to keep out spam, misinformation, financial scams, nudity, hate speech and other material that it says violates its policies.  But the rules are opaque and sometimes arbitrarily or mistakenly enforced. Policy experts say such experience is indicative of thorny free speech issues YouTube faces as the world’s largest online video service.

BETA Technologies begins process to expand electric aircraft facility in Vermont

The future is happening in Vermont. BETA plan will create hundreds of new jobs in the region and emphasize sustainability, access to green aviation and STEM education across Vermont.

Microsoft: Russia behind 58% of state-backed hacks

Russia accounted for most state-sponsored hacking detected by Microsoft over the past year, with a 58% share, mostly targeting government agencies and think tanks in the United States, followed by Ukraine, Britain and European NATO members, the company said.

Jeff Sawyer is looking for student volunteers to interview alumni about their career roles for two MiddVantage series he is designing. Volunteers will record an alum about their current career role (what it is, what they do, and the future direction of that career role), what their own career path was from Middlebury to their current career role, and their advice for students interested in that type of a career field.  One of the series will consist of recorded interviews of alumni with various career fields involving data analytics and the other will focus on alumni with various career roles in technology (e.g., AI/Machine Learning, VR/AR, UX/UI, Gaming, NLP, Computer Vision, Quantum Computing, Cyber Security).

If you are interested in being an interviewer as part of one or both of these MiddVantage series, please email Jeff Sawyer jsawyer@middlebury.edu to express your specific interests. For more about the MiddVantage program and examples of past recorded interviews in other career fields, check out the MiddVantage series on the CCI Events and Programs tab.

Incumbents, startups, and investors adapt to fintech evolution

From disruptive threat to enabling partner, fintech has entered a new phase of its evolution. Deloitte’s insights track the development of the fintech market and examine how banks, insurers, and investment management companies are tackling fintech transformation initiatives. 

A new age of digital assets

Deloitte’s 2021 Global Blockchain Survey affirms that banks should embrace their inevitable digital future. In a seismic shift, financial leaders increasingly see digital assets as the future -76% of respondents believe digital assets will serve as a strong alternative to, or outright replacement for, fiat currencies in the next 5–10 years.