Silicon Valley CONNECT

May 15-19, 2023

Kick off your summer break by making connections at employer site visits with the Fleishman Career Center! Students that participate in this program can expect to expand their network, learn more about careers in Silicon Valley, polish professional development skills, and gain insights into working and living in this booming area!

CONNECT is a series of programs that take students on Employer Treks in destination cities across the United States. Students will be able to visit the office locations of notable employers, learn more about the organizations, get a peek into company culture, discover career paths, and network with employees and Binghamton alumni. The program is designed for students of any major or class year to explore career options, grow their networks, and develop professionally.

Students will attend all planned site visits as a cohort. Students accepted into the program will have hotel accommodations and bus transportation in Silicon Valley provided and will receive up to a $600 airfare voucher, all courtesy of the Alumni Association.  

Attend a mandatory information session (time/dates below) to learn more about this program and how to apply! Space is limited.

• How to Apply for Silicon Valley CONNECT

  You must update your hireBING profile prior to applying for this program. Please be sure that your profile has all the correct information (including major and class year) as well as an updated resume.

  Apply to attend the Silicon Valley CONNECT Program in hireBING. Attend a mandatory information session to be eligible to apply. Information on how to apply to these programs will be shared in the info sessions.

  Note: You will be alerted if you do not meet all qualifications, however your application will still be received. 

• Eligibility

  The Silicon Valley CONNECT Program is open to current Binghamton University students who are or will be registering for fall 2023 classes at Binghamton. Students of any major or class year who are interested in learning more about careers and life in Silicon Valley are encouraged to apply.

  There are a limited number of spots available for this program. This is a competitive process and not all applicants will be selected. It is strongly suggested that applicants review the application tips and follow them to increase their chances of being selected.

• Participation Agreement

  In order to apply, all students MUST read, sign and submit a participation agreement. View and download the participation agreement below. This must be attached to your application in hireBING as an "other" document.

  PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

• Application Tips

  There are a limited number of spots for this program, so the application process is highly competitive. Applicants will be selected based on the quality of their application package. In order to increase your chances of being accepted, it is recommended that you do the following:

  • Utilize the Fleishman Career Center's resources on writing resumes and personal statements, such as the Career Guide and resume templates. You can also make an appointment or visit UU-133 during walk-in hours (weekdays from noon-4 p.m.) for feedback.
  • Tailor your statement of interest for this program. The selection committee will be looking for statements of interest that communicate why the student is excited about this program and what they are hoping to learn from it.
  • Do research on Silicon Valley and/or the registered employers before submitting your application. This will help you write a better statement of interest.
• Timeline
  • Immediately: Update your hireBING profile and resume
  • Sunday, April 2: Applications open at 5 p.m.
  • Friday, April 14: Virtual information session closes at 3:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, April 16: Applications close at 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, April 18: Acceptance and waitlist emails sent to students
  • Monday, May 1: Cancellation deadline. Participation agreements and flight information due.
  • May 15-19: Treks take place
• Tentative Trek Schedule

  Transportation to site visits will be provided.

  The CONNECT team is in the  process of conducting outreach to Silicon Valley employers and finalizing the schedule. Please check back to this page for updates.

  Tuesday, May 16

  • 7:30–11 a.m.: Visit 1
  • Noon–2 p.m.: Handshake
  • 3–5 p.m.: PwC

  Wednesday, May 17

  • 7:30–11 a.m.: Cisco
  • Noon–2 p.m.: NVIDIA
  • 3–5 p.m.: Google
  • 6 p.m.: Student/alumni networking reception

  Thursday, May 18

  • 7:30–11 a.m.: Visit 7
  • Noon–2 p.m.: Visit 8
  • 3–5 p.m.: Visit 9
• Tips for attending an Employer Trek  

  DO'S

  • Take notes
  • Display enthusiasm and appreciation
  • Write down names of the professionals
  • Dress professionally
  • Bring your resume - you may or may not hand it out but best to be prepared
  • Research the organizations you are visiting
  • Prepare well thought out questions
  • Give yourself enough travel time (buses, trains are unreliable) and plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to the visit
  • Stay with the group at all times during the visit
  • Bring your photo ID
  • Stand out and make the most of these opportunities
  • Ask for contact information if the opportunity arises, we do not provide contact information unless the hosts states you can get it from us
  • IMPORTANT - Check your hireBING profile to make sure it is accurate. Your hireBING profile will shift and it may not be accurate. You can manually change it.
  • Use professional etiquette at all times

  DON'TS

  • Wait until the end to ask a question
  • Wait until the end to engage with professionals
  • Be late
  • Be distracting in any manner (play on your phone, fall asleep, etc.)
  • Go up to the visit without a staff member​
  • Ask for a job and or internship - unless they discuss open positions during the visit. You may instead ask about the type of skills and/or qualifications they look for in a candidate, or what makes someone successful at this company
  • Stay longer than the allotted time. Professionals need to get back to work and we do not want to overstay our welcome

For more information, please email hireBING@binghamton.edu.