By Nathaniel Luce
Staff from Owen’s Career Management Center took 25 students to Seattle and the Bay Area to visit 14 different tech companies, including Twitter, Facebook, Google, AirBnB and Amazon.
Tech companies have been paying increasing attention to Owen students in recent years; Amazon was the top hiring company of Vanderbilt’s MBA class of 2015 and Owen alums work in key roles at Twitter and AirBnB. The weeklong Tech Trek immersion gave students an in-depth look at where they might spend their summer internship or work after graduation. Students met with alumni at each company for Q&A sessions and an inside look at life in the tech industry. Dean Johnson even joined the students for part of the Tech Trek, tweeting and posting on Instagram from inside many of the companies.
Hear from current students in their own words about why the Tech Trek is a can’t-miss Owen experience.
“I loved the chance to see inside the tech companies that are changing everyday lives. Visiting Facebook, AirBnB, Google and Twitter in a single trip can only be described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!” -Emily Faget, MBA Class of 2017, Marketing
“The trek was pretty amazing in that we got to have experiences with 14 different companies all across Seattle and the Bay Area. It was incredible to not only see what exciting things the different companies were doing but also that Owen has such a presence on the West Coast and in the tech industry. It was a jam packed week and totally worth it.” -Sarah Eaton, MBA Class of 2017, Human and Organizational Performance, Strategy
“I had never really experienced Seattle or San Francisco, so it was a great opportunity to get to explore the city in which I might live for a summer or for years beyond Owen. It was fascinating to meet people who were once in our shoes not all that long ago, who are making a massive difference in the tech industry. I was able to get a personal vibe from the people, office, workspace and general environment – not just a story that I could read about online or hear about over the phone. It was a memorable experience to reflect on with my classmates who were with me, so that gave me a more holistic view.” -Samantha Levine, MBA Class of 2017, Marketing
“The Tech Trek was a great experience because it was not only an opportunity to learn about a variety of careers from Owen alumni, but it allowed us to do so in their everyday settings. Tech companies in particular are known for their innovative workplaces and it was incredible to see so many campuses first hand.” -Charles Cochrum, MBA Class of 2017, Finance, Operations, Strategy
“It was a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand the companies that are defining our generation.” – Matt Brown, MBA Class of 2017, Operations, Strategy, and Human & Organizational Performance
“This was my second time attending Tech Trek. I really love this experience. My favorites were the visits to the Autodesk Gallery and Airbnb’s workplace. It would be difficult for me to go home after work if I was working in such an amazing environment.” -Yingjie Zhang, MBA’16, Finance and Strategy
Contact Person: Brett Israel Director, Business News & Communications Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management
Contact Phone: (615) 322-NEWS
Contact Email: brett.israel@owen.vanderbilt.edu
