“The students who come here for PowerUpTech find opportunities at innovative companies, affordable neighborhoods, a vibrant culture, and a community that genuinely wants them to succeed,” - TechBuffalo CEO Jeffrey Botteron
On the mornings of June 11 and 12, more than 200 high-caliber college students from across the U.S. came to downtown Buffalo.
They filled into the new local headquarters of global technology giant Ingram Micro, which has more than 1,200 employees here, a number which is expected to rise significantly in the coming years.
And they heard from Bill Brandel, Ingram Micro’s North America president, who rose through the local ranks and is still based in Buffalo (Brandel is also a 43North Foundation Ambassador).
The story was about how Ingram Micro is investing in the future of Buffalo, where it sees opportunity and momentum. It was about the great careers that start and stay here.
The students were part of TechBuffalo’s PowerUpTech initiatve, an annual program which takes interns at companies throughout Buffalo and gives them a shared regional experience. PowerUpTech is designed to attract some of the nation's most promising college students to begin their careers in Buffalo.
This year, a record 244 interns are participating in PowerUpTech, up from 214 last year. They participate in internships across 68 local employers, supplemented by a regular cadence of events that range from educational to professional development and recreation.
“The students who come here for PowerUpTech find opportunities at innovative companies, affordable neighborhoods, a vibrant culture, and a community that genuinely wants them to succeed,” TechBuffalo CEO Jeffrey Botteron said. “Those attributes are difficult to find, and when they experience it firsthand, it helps them envision building their careers here after graduation.”
PowerUpTech experiences will continue throughout the summer. That includes an evening in Delaware Park this week, and later this summer, a two-day hackathon to build solutions for local nonprofits.
TechBuffalo’s extends beyond one-off experiences for the young adults. With more than 500 alumni, it’s a lasting relationship designed to put Buffalo at the forefront of early career decisions.
“The power of PowerUpTech is bringing all of the interns from the city together and immersing them in an experience that makes sure they understand that this is a place where they can grow their lives and careers,” said TechBuffalo board chair Mike Wisler, M&T Bank’s Senior Executive Vice President, Technology & Operations.
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