Thursday, May 13th 2004

The Value of Student Internships in Usability

Please join us at the May Usability Professionals' Association-Minnesota Chapter meeting. Our program will be a preview of the UPA-International 2004 Conference presentation on the value of student internships. Learn how student internships could be of value to your organization while offering educational opportunities to students.     A special note regarding refreshments: scroll down.

Session Overview

"The Value of Student Internships in Usability: Connecting Students with Professional Usability Communities"
Student internships in usability are rare in university settings. This presentation describes how usability internships resulted from a higher education partnership between academic departments and a usability organization. We will discuss what background and skills students need, appropriate job descriptions, and ways this partnership can further usability in an organization.

About Our Presenters

Lee-Ann Kastman Breuch is a professor in a Scientific and Technical Communication program in the Department of Rhetoric at the University of Minnesota. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in usability and actively seeks mentoring opportunities in usability for her students. Her department has established several mutually beneficial partnerships with corporations and other organizations. Some of these partnerships have provided student internships for undergraduate students majoring in the program.

Alice de la Cova is the manager of a usability team in the Web Development office at the University of Minnesota. Her department has a partnership with the Scientific and Technical Communication program, somewhat similar to the program's corporate partnerships. As one feature of the partnership, the Web Development organization has provided paid student internships and other employment opportunities for the program's undergraduates.

Meeting Details:

Date/Time:
Thursday, May 13th, 6:00 PM
Place:
101 Walter Library
Address:
U of M East Bank
117 Pleasant Street SE
Minneapolis, MN
Host:
Alice de la Cova, U of M Usability Team
Speakers:
Lee-Ann Kastman Breuch and Alice de la Cova
Topic:
The Value of Student Internships in Usability

Agenda:

Refreshments:

Due to University policies, the U of M cannot provide food or beverages. Please feel free to bring your own beverage, or purchase one at the soda machine in the building. Light snacks will be provided.

RSVP & Dues

Please RSVP if you wish to attend. Just send the names of the people in your group who'll be attending to LBennett@LifeTimeFitness.com.

Non-member visitors are welcome, but are asked to pay five dollars to attend each meeting.

Haven't joined our chapter yet? It's only $20 for the calendar year, and you can sign up at our monthly meetings. More information is found at: http://www.upamn.org/join.shtml

Directions & Map:

Map URL: http://snipurl.com/Walter_Library_UofM

These directions are available in a MS Word document here: upamn040513_Walter_Lib_Directions.doc

Directions to the U of M Walter Library:

101 Walter Library
117 Pleasant Street SE
East Bank campus
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

Following the UPA meeting, attendees may stay for a tour of the University’s usability lab in B-26 Walter Library.

Driving Map:

Driving map


Driving Directions:

From the North (35W South): Take 35W South to the University Avenue exit.  Exit, and then cross 4th St. SE (one set of lights) to University Ave.  Take a left onto University, and then continue on University until you reach 17th Ave/Church Street (Church Street sign will be on the right).  Take a right onto Church Street.  After the stop sign, you should see the Church Street ramp ahead on your right.  Exit on foot, then look for Walter Library as shown below.


From the South (35W North): Take 35W North to the University Avenue exit.  After exiting, take a right onto University Ave.  You should see an Amoco station on your right.  Continue on University Ave. until you reach 17th Ave/Church Street (Church Street sign will be on the right).  Take a right onto Church Street.  After the stop sign, you should see the Church Street ramp ahead on your right.  Exit on foot, then look for Walter Library as shown below.


From the East (94 West): Take 94 West to the Huron Blvd. Exit. Merge onto Huron Blvd.  Continue on Huron Boulevard until you reach 17th Ave. SE (you will cross University Ave. and pass Marriuchi Arena on your right).  Take a left onto 17th Ave. SE.  At the Intersection of 17th Ave. and University, continue straight.  17th Ave. will now become Church St.   After the stop sign, you should see the Church Street ramp ahead on your right.  Exit on foot, then look for Walter Library as shown below.


From the West (94 East): Take 94 East to the Huron Blvd. Exit.  Take Huron Boulevard until you reach 17th Ave. SE (you will cross University Ave. and pass Marriuchi Arena on your right).  Take a left onto 17th Ave. SE.  At the Intersection of 17th Ave. and University, continue straight.  17th Ave. will now become Church St.   After the stop sign, you should see the Church Street ramp ahead on your right.  Exit on foot, then look for Walter Library as shown below.


Walking Directions:

Walter Library is located on the west side of Northrop Mall, between Johnston Hall and Smith Hall.   The mall is situated between Church Street, Pleasant Street, and Washington Avenue.  You can enter Walter Library from Northrop Mall, or from Pleasant Street (which has a wheelchair-accessible ramp).

Below is a map of Northrop Mall, showing the location of Walter Library.  

Walking Map:

Walking map
Washington Ave. SE

Room 101 is located on the main floor of Walter Library, on the side facing Northrop Mall.


Help Spread the Word:

Know someone interested in usability? Feel free to invite them to an upcoming meeting. Visitors are always welcome. Please forward this announcement to other area professionals who might have an interest in UPA-MN meetings or activities.

Upcoming Meetings & Events:

Do you have an idea for a future meeting or know someone you think would be a good speaker? Contact Laurie Bennett (LBennett@LifeTimeFitness.com) with your suggestions.

Last update: August 23, 2004