Ann Arbor SPARK Announces Application Deadline for 4th Shifting Gears Program

ANN ARBOR, Mich., July 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Ann Arbor SPARK, the region's driving force of innovation and economic growth, will kick off its fourth Shifting Gears program this fall. Applications to the 2010 Shifting Gears program are due on September 3.  Leading up to the fall Shifting Gears program, SPARK also announced five information sessions beginning August 3.

Shifting Gears, an intensive four-month program, provides professional career coaching for executive talent seeking opportunities in entrepreneurial and emerging businesses.

"Shifting Gears has a proven track record of helping corporate talent find meaningful jobs at local start-ups," said Michael A. Finney, Ann Arbor SPARK CEO.  "In its three previous offerings, 42 people participated in Shifting Gears, and, to date, 28 of them have landed jobs in southeast Michigan.  Fast growth area firms including Adaptive Materials Inc., SRI and Compendia Bioscience have all hired Shifting Gears graduates."

Shifting Gears includes three distinct phases of class-based and real-world experience to help executive talent transform their career:  

• First gear is career transitions into small businesses with in-class sessions and workshops on small business foundations.
• Second gear is a 3-day intensive practice simulation, followed by an 80-hour pro bono practicum project with a small business.
• Third gear is launch point readiness with special networking opportunities, practice interviews and career advice from a mentor that has extensive contacts with innovative, growing companies.

"Shifting Gears program was instrumental in exposing me to the unique challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship and small, innovation-driven firms," said Scott Belanger, principal engineer, SRI International.

Shifting Gears is designed to increase the success of individuals who want to leverage their career experiences and education to help small businesses grow.  Shifting Gears helps highly skilled and talented professionals who want to increase their effectiveness and capabilities in the competitive environments of small businesses.  

Recently, Oakland Community College added the Shifting Gears program to its offerings and graduated 16 participants.

Shifting Gears information sessions will be offered on August 3, 11, 16 and 25 and September 1.  These free information sessions, held from 5:30-7 p.m. at SPARK East, will explain how the Shifting Gears program works and help attendees understand how it might help to advance their careers.  

For more information on Shifting Gears, visit www.AnnArborUSA.org/Shifting-Gears/.

ABOUT ANN ARBOR SPARK

Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is the driving force in establishing the Ann Arbor region as a destination for business expansion, retention, and location by identifying and meeting the needs of business at every stage, from startups to large organizations.  Ann Arbor SPARK represents all communities in the Washtenaw County. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Michigan Works!/ETCS, Washtenaw County, the City of Ann Arbor, the Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.  For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org. 

SOURCE Ann Arbor SPARK

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