[OSGeo-Discuss] Abstract, please look at.

[Tyler Mitchell]

Chris Holmes wrote:
> The other is
> to encourage 'students' to see themselves as potential contributors.
> Many see their work as not 'real' until they get in to a paying job,
> when in reality they do some of the best work.  Ideally we could capture
> some of that energy for open source.

Similar to this, and back to Gary's idea, is that I, as an employer, see
the use of OS tools as a means of building professional skills in my
staff.  Rather than just learning how to use a program, they can learn
to use, modify, enhanced, extended, etc. and take they tools with them
wherever they go.  (Similar to Ian's comment about IP issues, but in the
commercial domain).  So, from a student guidance perspective, I see that
those who teach and learn OS in school are doing a greater professional
development service for their students (and potential employers!) by
building people with skills instead of just 'by the book' button pushing.

> One idea to really encourage that is to make a analogue to the
> 'job'/volunteer board, but focus it on projects that are more cutting
> edge, and that would be of the size that one could do for a masters or
> phD thesis.  Hopefully someone in the OS world could 'mentor' them, not
> so much on the actual work, but how to work with the community and get
> their improvements incorporated.  

I agree with this idea.  I see this kind of system in place, less
formally, at our local University.  It is quite effective, encouraging
and again, helps build professionals I'd like to hire.  Perhaps some of
those very students who are lurking on this list could give their two
bits :)

Tyler