SDM Bay Area Tech Trek 2024

About Bay Area Tech Trek

The Bay Area Tech Trek is a week-long organized event for and by SDM students to learn and network with various tech organizations in the California Bay Area, including famed Silicon Valley. Technology is moving faster than we can think, and managing system challenges and complex problems is becoming central to effective management across industries. The Trek will allow students to understand some of these challenges through first-hand interactions with industry leaders as well as prompt us to think about these challenges through the lenses of the tools that SDM is striving to equip us with.

Dates: June 3rd-7th (Following MIT Graduation)
Students shall arrive no later than the evening of June 2nd to ensure participation in the first company visit on the morning of the 3rd. Students should also plan to stay throughout the week, leaving no earlier than Friday evening (7th).

Optional social event(s) will be scheduled for Friday (7th).

Student Eligibility

All current students (Certificate, Master's, and May 2024 Graduates) are encouraged to apply.

Application form: https://forms.gle/V6AGctp947DKrB1V8
Application deadline: Sunday, March 3rd 2024 by 11:59 pm – late submissions will not be accepted.
Decisions will be made NLT Sunday, March 10th 2024.

General Information

The group size will be limited to approximatly 30 people. There will be a selection process, and you will be notified of the decision by NLT Sunday, March 10th, 2024.
- Note – If selected, a Tech Trek Commitment contract and a $200 deposit will be collected in March. Details will be provided with the selection notification.

As a participant, you will be expected to help with a portion of the trip’s organization, so sign up in the survey for an area you would like to help with.
The trip will be from Monday, June 3 rd to Friday, June 7 th. You are expected to arrive by Sunday evening. You are free to arrive earlier and stay longer.
Your participation in the trip means that you will participate in all company visits.

Cost Estimates

SDM will cover:

- Transportation between company sites.
- Lunch and group dinners (The Hotel includes breakfast).
- Cost of a shared room (2 students per room) from Sunday evening to Friday morning. You will pay the difference if you decide to get a separate room.

Students will pay for:

- Flights in and out of the San Francisco (SFO).
- Transportation between the airport and the hotel (upon arrival/departure).
- Hotel incidentals (phone charges, movies, bar, laundry, etc..).
- Meals outside of official events.
- Activities after official events conclude.

Significant Others (SO’s):

If you intend to bring a SO then you will be required to pay the difference to get a separate room

SO’s may join activities outside of the company visits.
SO’s can attend breakfast and group dinners but will have to coordinate their own transportation to the dinners.
SO’s may attend the optional activities but may have to coordinate transportation (depending transportation arrangements)

Company List

At this time, we do not have a finalized list of companies for the Tech Trek. Participants and organizers of the trip will select and coordinate companies to visit. Here is a list of possible organizations:

Tesla

Obayashi

Livermore National Labs

Apple

Zoox

John Deere

Climbal Capital

Moonshot

Freewire

Generate

Palo Alto

Verkada

WePay

NASA Ames Research

Autodesk

Chevron

Tata

FAQ's

This section will be updated as we receive questions from applicants:

What are you looking for in a good application?

We will prioritize those who have yet to attend a tech trek and the strength of the essay. In the essay, we want to understand what this trip means to you, as well as how the experience will improve yourself, your company, and others.

What companies are we planning to visit?

The company coordination team will set up the companies. However, we hope to offer a broad set of companies ranging in function, size, and philosophies.

Can I book the same hotel if I want to arrive early or stay late?

Yes - as a separate booking. There will be no guarantee you will get the same room.

What if my significant other(s) stays for only part of the trip?

You will still be charged for a single room for the entirety of the booking.

Do I have to stay at the hotel?

We prefer that you stay with the group but are not required to. However, transportation is covered from the hotel only and company visits are mandatory.

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