DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL), an independent provider of broad-based testing and standards conformance solutions for the networking industry, has received donations from Fidelity, Dell, HPE, Liberty Mutual, QA Cafe, Verizon, Senet, MACOM, and Alexander Technology Group to support the continuation of the UNH-IOL high school summer internship program, HighTech Bound.

This year marks the 12th year of the program and the UNH-IOL will host 12 students from around the country for the six-week internship. HighTech Bound is a unique opportunity for high school juniors entering their senior year to gain experience working in the laboratory with dedicated mentors. Each day participants benefit from hands-on experience working with the latest technologies and using products from companies around the world as well as preparing for an education in the technology field. The HighTech Bound program is designed to investigate emerging technologies, research potential solutions, gain interpersonal communications skills, and much more.

“It is an exciting time in STEM education as we prepare the next generation of innovative thinkers and doers,” said Erica Johnson, director of the UNH-IOL. “Thanks to our sponsors and their support, we can provide a group of highly motivated students the ability to work hands on with UNH students and staff mentors while gaining experiences that will position them for success in their next steps after high school. This is critical in order to increase the skilled workforce that is in high demand by our local tech industry.”

HighTech Bound is a stepping stone for students interested in computer science or electrical engineering in hopes of attending UNH. The continuation of employment with the UNH-IOL is highly encouraged throughout students’ college career. Employees supplement their academic training by operating, testing and actually improving real products from local companies and Fortune 500 companies. They continue to use cutting-edge equipment and technologies on a daily basis to solve tough and relevant real-world problems, gaining extensive experience that often translates into a smooth transition from college into the job market.

Visit the HighTech Bound website for more information and to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

The UNH-IOL is dedicated to being the world's premier data networking resource. Beginning in 1988, the UNH-IOL has built a multimillion dollar testbed and developed testing solutions to help companies efficiently and cost effectively deliver products to market. UNH-IOL’s services fit the needs of the market, while maintaining broad, comprehensive interoperability and conformance testing of networking, data, telecommunications, and storage products. The industry relies on UNH-IOL’s extensive staff experience, standards-bodies participation, 28,000+ square foot facility, and 100+ students who represent the future of interoperability testing and verification.