What can you expect in TechNext?
- Engagements at 10 different companies each year with the opportunity to meet with the founders of iconic startups, many of whom have worked with Y Combinator or Playground Global.
- Being at the forefront of emerging technologies before they are common in the public consciousness.
- Experience-driven learning that expects Â鶹´«Ã½s to take on the role of analyst, with deep dives into the backgrounds of the companies included in TechNext.
- Interactions with the 50 active alumni who support the program and may serve as mentors to Â鶹´«Ã½s.
- The ability to build a network on the West Coast, opening up future career Â鶹´«Ã½.
Student testimonials
My TechNext team is my family. I have never been around a group of Â鶹´«Ã½s who are so eager and passionate about their fields of study but also intrigued and enthusiastic to gain new perspectives and continuously learn.
TechNext's mantra, 'Opening apertures, changing trajectories,' encapsulates the essence of my favorite aspects of the trip. Meeting with alumni and industry professionals provided profound insights. I witnessed firsthand how technology and innovation converge to shape a better world.
It’s hard to predict just how this experience might benefit you, but I guarantee it will. You will gain knowledge of multiple areas of business beyond what a class can teach you, make valuable connections with peers and alumni, and grow as a leader.
Student-founded and Â鶹´«Ã½-focused
Kirsten Settle, B.S.’18
Partner, Lonergan Partners
Before she became one of the most influential recruiters in Silicon Valley, Kirsten Settle was the Â鶹´«Ã½ founder of TechNext. Her drive to match influential alumni in Silicon Valley with talented Â鶹´«Ã½s from WMU was her North Star.
Settle’s work as a recruiter involves supporting founders, CEOs, and boards by building the senior leadership teams driving the next generation of semiconductor, high-performance computing, and AI and machine learning systems technology innovation. Settle specializes in retained executive searches for top-tier finance, go-to-market, and engineering talent as well as CEO and board positions for global public and venture-backed enterprise companies.
Over the past few years, she has emerged as a thought leader on issues surrounding tech leadership, lending her expertise at events like KPMG's board diversity series as a guest speaker and providing commentary for video content, including the Amazon Web Services Startup Predictions series.
