Free Press photos by John Cross
Chuck Sherwood of Maverick Consulting speaks with student workers Corey Hermanson (left) and Duston Diekmann. Students work about 20 hours per week and earn $12 per hour.
Scott Green (left) and Brian Sokoloski spend an afternoon at their highly sought-after jobs at Project Maverick. Students who work here get valuable work experience and make themselves very marketable for jobs in computer or information technology firms.
How's this for a part-time job for college students:
Students earn $12 per hour. The work figures prominently in landing a real-world job. The hours are flexible. It's literally across the street from campus.
It's called Project Maverick, a partnership of Maverick Software Consulting, Minnesota State Mankato and the Thomson-Reuters company based in Eagan. It's primarily an opportunity for students in computer science and information technology or information systems fields. And it might be the best kept secret at MSU.
"It's really a unique opportunity for students," said Project Maverick employee Chris Delaney, a senior from St. Francis. "There's really nothing better you can do."
Student workers spend their time either writing computer code or testing software for the Thomson-Reuters company. Many more students are turned away than there is room for. At a recent information session, 70 students inquired about the handful of openings available.
It began in 2006 with 10 students in a small office in the University Square mall. Today it employs 20, has twice the office space, and Maverick Software — the company that runs the program — has offices at three other universities.
Chuck Sherwood, vice president of software testing at Maverick Software, said they typically draw the elite students from Minnesota State Mankato's computer-related programs. The high pay — $12 per hour is more than just about any other part-time job in town — is a big draw. So is the access to the kind of experience that makes a big difference come job hunt time.
For the complete Free Press story, go to http://www.mankatofreepress.com/local/local_story_285230216.html
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