TechNext

TechNext is an immersive experience that takes students outside their comfort zones and into technology hubs in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle where they learn about tech, venture capital, entrepreneurship, the arts, and, most importantly, themselves. Through the program, students are introduced to meaningful career pathways and how they can design a life well-lived that is authentic to who they are. TechNext is open to undergraduate students from all majors across ÃÛÌÒÉçÇø.

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 students 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 students.
  • The ability to build a network on the West Coast, opening up future career opportunities.

Student testimonials

My TechNext team is my family. I have never been around a group of students who are so eager and passionate about their fields of study but also intrigued and enthusiastic to gain new perspectives and continuously learn.

—Maddie Gracey

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.

—Amanda Lim

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.

—Anna Hagood

Student-founded and student-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 student founder of TechNext. Her drive to match influential alumni in Silicon Valley with talented students from ÃÛÌÒÉçÇø 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.

 

Kirsten Settle professional photo.