Internship Description

About the Organization:

Knowtec is a Brazilian company, founded in 2001, which is focused in competitive intelligence and media monitoring, interactive media and e-Learning.

Today, the company has a national client portfolio, with a few clients abroad, mostly in Latin America.

Knowtec's team has about 100 professionals, grouped in many areas of expertise: web designers, journalists, librarians, managers, programmers, data base experts, usability experts and information architects, plus the support staff, such as lawyers and accountants.

Knowtec's products include:
• Competitive Intelligence, Commercial Intelligence and Media Monitoring;
• Interactive media, interactive marketing solutions, Web Portals, Corporate Web Sites, CRM, e-mail Marketing, and other interactive media actions aiming retention and fidelization of customers;
• Development of Distance Education systems comprising LMS (Learning Management System), transposing educational contents to Web environment, and e-Learning coaching;
• Services for technology and content development for the following branches: Education, IT and Telecom;
• Research, Development and Innovation focusing new methods and technologies;
• IT Consultancy services and Development of web-based multimedia systems.

The company's goal is to start an operation in the USA to present its media monitoring services in North America. Although Knowtec works today mostly with web based information systems, the American market brings a possibility to offer newsletters and competitive intelligence analysis to mobile device owners.

Local Activities:
Brazil is the biggest country in Latin America, it has many big city like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. But most of the tourists doesn’t know that Florianópolis is the “gold girl” of the country. Everybody wants to live here. This city is really different from the others, it has 42 beaches because the city is a island. There are 2 bridges that make the connection to the continental part.

This city was colonized by Portuguese people from the Archipelago of Azores, however there are strong influence from Italians and germans whom arrived in the city after the the First war.

You can find more information in the websites below:

Wikipedia

Photos of Florianopolis

Beaches of Florianopolis

If you want to work hard, make friends, have fun and enjoy the best of Brazil, Florianopolis is a wonderful place!

Job Description:
The intern will be working with Systems Analysts and Programmers performing tasks related to software development for Competitive Intelligence projects, interactive media and e-Learning. Those tasks can include:
• Software modeling;
• Software Programming (Java language);
• Database modeling;
• Database administration (MySQL);
• Implementation of automated software tests;
• Software quality assurance;
• Software testing.

Additional Information:

The intern will practice and learn the following:
• Competitive Intelligence methodology;
• Media monitoring;
• Text mining techniques;
• Artificial Intelligence techniques;
• SCRUM methodology;
• Java Programming.

Knowtec has a Business Casual dress code and rather informal working environment.

Start Date:
The start of any academic term.

Duration:
4-6 months (4 months is the minimum).

Number of Positions:
1-2 at any given time

Intern Qualifications

Academic Background:
Information Technology, Computer Science, New Media Communications, or related field.

Skills/Experience:

Required:
 UML;
 MySQL;
 Linux (Red Hat);
 Java;
 Data mining.

Preferred:
 Agile software development methodologies;
 JSF and/or Struts frameworks;
 Ajax;
 PHP;
 Oracle database;
 Business Intelligence;
 CMS Drupal.

Language Requirement:
Beginning level of Brazilian Portuguese study is highly recommended to facilitate socializing and daily living and logistics. For students without prior study of Portuguese language, a self-study course prior to the internship would be crucial. Students with very strong Spanish or Italian language skills may find it easier to learn Portuguese than someone without any foreign language background.

Other Requirements:
Interns need to be open minded, flexible, and feel confident that they can adjust to a new language and living situation in Brazil.

Internship Costs

Program Fees:
The program fee includes tuition, internship site development and placement, pre-departure orientation, international health insurance, internship monitoring and follow-up.
Click here for application information, including the program fee, for your school.
Note: The program fee does not include airfare, housing, living expenses or any other estimated costs noted below.


Note:
Any financial or in-kind support provided by the host organization is explicitly indicated.

Compensation:
A stipend of approximately US$800 approximately ( in Reais R$$ ???) per month. This is enough to cover local living expenses, but not personal travel.

Accommodation:
Knowtec will assist the intern in locating suitable housing. The cost of room and board runs about $350/month.

International Travel:
$1200-$1500 RT airfare. The local representative will meet the intern at the airport upon arrival in Florianopolis.

Cost of Living:
Interns should budget approximately $200 in visa processing fees; $350/month for room and board, and $200/month for local transportation, personal expenses and miscellaneous expenses.

Budget Note:
Applicants should use these estimates for preliminary budgeting purposes.
IE3 will issue an official budget after acceptance by the host organization.

Application Information

Academic Credit:
Up to 12 credits available as per arrangement with supervising department.

Application Materials:
IE3 is a program of the Oregon University System.
Students from participating partner universities are also eligible to apply.
Click here for application information and select your school from the list.

Created/Revised:02/12/08