Autonomous & Unmanned Cluster (AUSC) summer interns

The Autonomous & Unmanned Cluster (AUSC) of Southeastern New Mexico, a U.S. Small Business Administration cluster initiative, is pleased to welcome its 2016 team of college and high school students for their summer intern program.

The AUSC utilized a cross-section of community programs to offer the greatest opportunity for participation by area students. The programs included the Otero County Economic Development Council (OCEDC) Junior Leadership Otero, OteroSTEM/FIRST Robotics Competition, the Department of Labor Region IX Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program, Rotary International Interact, and New Mexico State University Arrowhead Center.

The eight students will spend their summer working as a systems engineering/product development team under the mentorship of AUSC members. The team will focus on the development of an unmanned ground system for precision agriculture operations.

“We plan to provide the intern team as many learning opportunities as we can, and already see how hands on the group is – we’re excited to work with such enthusiastic students and support their growth in the science and technology fields. As part of the cluster initiative, we focus on establishing strategic partnerships and engaging with the community. We believe there is no better plan for the future development of AUSC than working with our youth and exposing them to the growth opportunities that exist in their own community. This is vital to ensuring support for entrepreneurship and workforce development to sustain the growth of the AUSC.” Cliff Hudson, CEO Emerging Technology Ventures Inc. (ETV) & Program Manager of the AUSC.

The team will work throughout the summer until time to start or continue their college careers or return to high school. The AUSC and ETV will continue to offer intern opportunities throughout the school year to students. ETV, headquartered in Alamogordo, New Mexico with operations in Roswell, New Mexico is woman-owned small business focused on the development of integrated, crossdomain unmanned systems solutions. The AUSC is a U.S. Small Business Administration supported Regional Innovation Cluster focused on the start-up and growth of small businesses developing autonomous and unmanned system technologies in southeastern New Mexico.