Funkenbusch Visits Silicon Valley

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Adam Funkenbusch, computer engineering major at Michigan Tech, shown at Tesla Motors.

HOUGHTON, MI (03/20/2013)(readMedia)-- Fifteen Michigan Technological University students headed west for the third annual Silicon Valley Spring Break Experience. Organized by the School of Business and Economics, the trip exposed students to the entrepreneurial spirit and technological innovation of the Silicon Valley.

Among the students was Adam Funkenbusch from Hudson, a computer engineering major at Michigan Tech.

"The Silicon Valley experience made for a fantastic spring break!" Funkenbusch said. "The entrepreneurial culture of the area was palpable and being surrounded by it for the week furthered my aspiration to break into the startup scene. We had a heavy schedule of touring companies, but there was also plenty of downtime to explore the surrounding area. I had the opportunity to visit Chinatown, bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, and swim in the ocean! I hope I can sneak back on the trip next year!"

"This is an awesome opportunity for our students to see companies that they otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to interact with," says Carly Benson, a recruiter and outreach coordinator for the School.

The trip included visits to tech giants Google, Cisco, Kyocera, Brocade, Tesla and other companies, many of which employ Michigan Tech alumni. Brocade Communications Systems, run by 1965 Tech alumnus and supporter Dave House, sponsored the trip. Opportunities for students included learning about the technology of these cutting-edge corporations, career paths in Silicon Valley and successful business strategies.

"Students get to experience a city and culture outside of the Midwest. This is extremely valuable because they get to learn from fast-paced, constantly evolving technological companies," said Carly Benson, recruiter and outreach coordinator for the School of Business and Economics.

Michigan Technological University (www.mtu.edu) is a leading public research university developing new technologies and preparing students to create the future for a prosperous and sustainable world. Michigan Tech offers more than 130 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering; forest resources; computing; technology; business; economics; natural, physical and environmental sciences; arts; humanities; and social sciences.