By Christine Routzahn, Associate Director of Internships and Cooperative Education, The Shriver Center

UMBC encourages its students to explore entrepreneurship at all levels. Students who break new ground in the creative arts, push the envelope in science and technology or provide solutions to society's problems, can all become future entrepreneurs.

In 2002, The Shriver Center, in collaboration with the Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship at UMBC, partnered with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to develop the Kauffman Entrepreneur Internship Program (KEIP). This semester, the successful program includes 14 interns from a variety of majors, including computer engineering, computer science, history, information systems, mathematics, mechanical engineering and psychology.

KEIP introduces both undergraduate and graduate students to the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship by providing them with mentors and internships in new and emerging businesses. Julio Gutierrez, an undergraduate computer science major who interned with Healthcare System Connections last fall, says, "The experience of learning firsthand how a small company is run is priceless. Anyone with entrepreneurial skills and ambitions would appreciate the chance."

Gigi Yim, an undergraduate majoring in information systems, currently serves as a KEIP intern with the Maryland Technology Development Corp. (TEDCO). Yim plays a key role in helping TEDCO organize and clean databases in order to streamline TEDCO's ability to conduct outreach and follow-up with businesses. She also has the opportunity to network with entrepreneurs and gain exposure to new technologies being developed in Maryland. "I want to establish a professional network of contacts outside of UMBC and learn how technology is created, applied, and financed beyond the classroom," says Yim.

Organizations participating in KEIP this semester include Acceleration Strategies, BCA Network LLC, Bloomsbury Consulting Group, E-Global Interactive, eOriginal Inc., Engenium Technologies Inc., Key Technologies Inc., Maryland Technology Development Corp. and Regal Decision Systems Inc.

The Shriver Center and the Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship are pleased with KEIP's results and are eager to continue the program during the fall 2004 semester. For more information on KEIP, e-mail routzahn@umbc.edu.

Pictured: KEIP intern Gigi Yim and her TEDCO mentor, David Houle.