Lessons from a leading CEO Lessons from a leading CEO

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valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak valleyspeak val- june techvalley.org Teacher Externship program earns high marks Citizens Bank gives $500,000 in support James Gaspo Executive Vice President Citizens Bank School’s out for the summer, but not for more than 20 middle- and high-school teachers who will gain hands-on work experience in technology focused companies throughout the region through the Tech Valley Teacher Externship Program. Now in its fourth year, the program exposes teachers to advancements in their field of study, provides tangible examples to bring back to the classroom and grants valuable insight into the demands of the modern workplace and the skills necessary for present and future tech innovators. The program was developed by the Albany- Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce three years ago, and was expanded throughout Tech Valley last summer with the help of the New York State Senate and the Tech Valley Chamber Coalition. Citizens Bank considers education such an essential component of the Tech Valley initiative and the Capital Region economy that it has contributed $500,000 to the Advancing Tech Valley campaign, to support education initiatives like the Teacher Externship Program. “Clearly, in this area, Tech Valley is at the forefront, so we wanted to find a way to not only promote Tech Valley, but help develop a ready and able workforce that could drive the Tech Valley initiative for decades to come,” said James Gaspo, executive vice president of Citizens Bank. “We want communities to be vibrant, and we want residents to assume leadership roles in the community. In some small way, through our dollars, time and talent, we feel we’re making a difference in the quality of life in the community.” Steady growth The Teacher Externship Program has grown significantly since its inception in 2005, when nine teachers participated. Each teacher spends six to eight weeks with a business in Tech Valley, earns a competitive salary of $20 per hour, for a full-time working schedule, and receives professional credit. Ruth Russell, a Questar III New Visions scientific research and world health teacher, highly recommends the program after having participated last summer. “It provides teachers with the opportunity to work in state-of-the-art scientific laboratories, using emerging technologies and real-world research efforts,” she said. “These types of programs are absolutely critical to science education because while science educators are taught how to teach, they are not usually trained as scientists.” Russell worked in the molecular biology laboratory, one of four core labs of the Center for Functional Genomics, located in the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics in Rensselaer. She assisted the lab with its DNA sequencing projects and is now better able to explain and teach multiple technological skills that college-level biology students and future scientific researchers need. “Opportunities such as those provided by the Teacher Externship Program reinforce the concept ‘we learn science by doing science.’ Teachers will be better able to offer classroom experiences that will bridge the gap between lecture and scientific discovery, while helping students appreciate the extraordinarily fast pace of scientific and technological change,” she said. Praise all around Gaspo has heard similar feedback <strong>from</strong> educators he has met through the Teacher Externship Program. “It’s much easier for them to teach children about the importance of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, chemistry, biology and physics, and how these theories actually get applied in the outside world,” he said. “These are skills that students will be able to leverage for the rest of their professional careers. It bridges the gap between academic theory and the real-life, forprofit world.” There’s also an intangible benefit for teachers who complete externships. “It helps stimulate and motivate our educators who help mold our future leaders, and hopefully that flows down to the students,” Gaspo said. “We view that as a long-term investment in Tech Valley and a way for us to give back to the communities we do business in.” The Teacher Externship Program should be emulated throughout the state for its lasting benefits in classrooms and communities, Gaspo pointed out. “We feel like we’re contributing not only to the long-term viability of the community, but also the transformation of the community, and rarely do you get the opportunity to do that. We need not only new teaching concepts, but we need to grow the businesses we already have and help attract new ones,” he said. China an adventure of a lifetime $ 1699 only per person (double occupancy). Non-members will be charged an additional $100 fee Price includes: Round trip international airfare, 4 & 5 star hotel accommodations, three meals each day, fluent English-speaking tour guides and much more. November 2008 Join the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce, business leaders and friends for a 9-day all inclusive trip to experience the wonders of China. For information call 518.431.1457 or visit acchamber.org and click on China 2008. 24 VISIONS acchamber.org :: techvalley.org
Word on the street What advice would you give to your daughter as she pursues a career in the 21st century? Lisa Marie Carris Ilyadis Owner LMI Services Be tactful, be organized. Always present yourself in a professional manner. Be polite and courteous. Never burn your bridges. If an opportunity comes along, take advantage of it. Don’t be afraid, because you’ll regret it later. Chris Foster Account Manager CGI Technologies and Solutions, Inc. Use education as your springboard and maintain faith as your foundation. Have the courage to stick to your guns and treat all with respect, especially yourself. Regardless of when you apply these principles , it will allow you to sleep well at night. Joseph Galli Independent Affiliate Commercial Property Consultants Do the best you can, and learn as much technology as possible. Establish a set of personal values, no matter what you do –– that’s the most important thing to take into the business world. Darcy Knapp Director of Business Development Strategic Accounts Network Solutions Learn how to communicate. With so much text and instant messaging these days, today’s youths need to learn how to read and write well. It’s going to be hard to communicate with <strong>CEO</strong>s in their 50s and 60s if they don’t. Know what you’re going to college for before you go. Christine Perlee Business Development Officer Berkshire Bank Do well in school. Extracurricular activities are just as important as school work. Be flexible, learn how to prioritize work and delegate responsibility. Volunteer as much as possible, get involved in the community and network. acchamber.org :: techvalley.org VISIONS 25
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