MEET THE INTERN DIRECTOR - JANE STAPLES

Welcome to all our web visitors. Let me introduce myself. My name is Jane Staples and I serve as the Director of the University's Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center (ATMC) Intern Program. Engaging students in learning experiences outside the classroom is not a new endeavor for me. I have been associated with the College of Engineering at UMass Dartmouth since 1998 as the Director of Cooperative Education. Prior to this, I held the position of Director of Cooperative Education at Bristol Community College in Fall River, MA . I am an enthusiastic proponent of experiential learning, and I believe it is an essential part of education, especially today.

If you are wondering about the value of experiential learning and the Intern Program at the Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center, here are a few things you should know - - -

 

What makes an internship at the ATMC different than internships elsewhere?

The ATMC is not your average intern site. It is a very unique learning laboratory for students. Interns work side-by-side with researchers, innovators, knowledge-creators and entrepreneurs, in state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities. As a student, being part of an active team that develops new products and processes, launches new businesses, creates new knowledge, solves problems, and grows the economy, is quite an experience. Each team project, staffed with interns, generates excitement and positive energy. We try to capture that energy and enthusiasm as we carry out our mission. As a result, you will find that we have a culture and work environment that forces students to think differently and on their feet. Unlike the academic environment, the work environment at the ATMC is extremely interactive and collaborative and sometimes unpredictable. It encourages knowledge to grow through discovery and risk-taking. That's what we are all about. And, because we stress the value of making a useful contribution while learning, our student interns deliver.