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 at retention of customers; Development of distance education systems comprising LMS (Learning Management Systems), 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.

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.

# of Positions per term

1-2

Start Dates

Start of Any Academic Term

Duration of Internship

4-6 Months (4 months minimum)

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 Ability

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 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.

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.

IE₃ Program Fee

The program fee* for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

*The program fee noted above reflects the anticipated fee increase that will go into effect for the Fall 2010 term and will apply to all terms thereafter.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
International Travel	$1800-$2200
Visa Fees	$250
Recommended Immunizations

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$300
Food	$50-$100
Local Transportation	$100
Recreation	$100
Personal Expenses	$100

Compensation

Approximately US$800 per month.

Additional Expense Information

The stipend is enough to cover local living expenses, but not personal travel around Brazil. Knowtec will assist the intern in locating suitable housing. The cost of room and board runs about $350/month.

U.S. citizens travelling to Brazil are required to obtain a visa. Visa applications must be submitted in person at the Consulate in San Francisco or submitted by a duly authorized third party. Brazilian visa information. It is possible to arrange to live with a homestay family in Recife.

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:

Information on Florianopolis

Photos of Florianopolis

Beaches of Florianopolis

Knowtec (It's in Portuguese!)

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