Ex-Student Volunteers
1. What does it mean to be accepted into this programme?
5. Which SIGGRAPH Asia 2008 programmes will have apprentice positions?
6. Who is eligible to apply for apprenticeships?
7. I was a Student Volunteer in 2004 (2003, 2002, etc.). Am I eligible?
8. If I am not accepted to the XSV programme, can I still be a Student Volunteer?
9. Why am I eligible only if I graduated within the last two years? That seems arbitrary to me.
10. Can I apply directly for this programme?
11. How do I obtain references?
12. How does somebody go about providing a reference for me?
13. What makes a good reference?
14. How many references do I need?
15. If I am selected for SIGGRAPH Asia 2008 conference, can I defer my acceptance to SIGGRAPH Asia 2009?
16. Do I have to pay my own way to the conference? I mean, when I was a Student Volunteer there was a lot of support.
17. Do I have to attend a jury meeting?
18. Do I have to pay my own way to the jury meeting?
19. When might I have to travel, so I can plan ahead?
20. What can you tell me about the selection process?
21. When can I expect to be notified whether my application was accepted?
22. I've been accepted. Now what?
1. What does it mean to be accepted into this programme?
If you're accepted into this programme, you will become an apprentice-level member of a SIGGRAPH Asia 2008-related planning committee. The chair of this committee will act as your mentor and help you to participate as an active, learning team member.
2. Wait a second. You mean I have to do more than work at the conference like when I was a Student Volunteer?
Yes. Indeed, your commitment for this position will begin many months before the conference takes place. If selected, you will be part of the planning core of volunteers that organizes the conference. You should expect to begin your volunteer position right after your application is accepted. Most volunteer positions end shortly after the conference finishes.
3. I'm still not really clear on what my responsibilities will be if I am selected for one of these positions. Can you tell me more?
If you are selected as an apprentice, you will become a member of a specific conference subcommittee. Each committee has a chair. The chair will work with you to define your role and specific responsibilities. The responsibilities will vary by area and programme.
4. So, you mean that as an apprentice I help out where my mentor needs me, and at the same time I learn something about volunteering for a specific area of the conference?
Yes, that's exactly right.
5. Which SIGGRAPH Asia 2008 programmes will have apprentice positions?
Apprentice positions are available in almost every conference programme. If your application is accepted, we will work with you to find the most suitable position.
6. Who is eligible to apply for apprenticeships?
You must have graduated with a computer graphics-related degree within the past two years, and you cannot be currently eligible to volunteer to be a SIGGRAPH Student Volunteer. So, you cannot be enrolled as a full-time student at any point during the 2007-2008 academic year.
7. I was a Student Volunteer in 2004 (2003, 2002, etc.). Am I eligible?
Maybe. You must meet the eligibility requirements noted in the previous answer.
8. If I am not accepted to the XSV programme, can I still be a Student Volunteer?
This seems unlikely. To be eligible for the XSV programme, you are no longer a student. To be eligible for the Student Volunteer programme, you typically must be a current student.
9. Why am I eligible only if I graduated within the last two years? That seems arbitrary to me.
Not exactly. The purpose of this programme is to involve people who have recently finished school, but who do not yet have a large amount of professional experience.
10. Can I apply directly for this programme?
Yes, but your application will be incomplete without three additional references.
11. How do I obtain references?
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can ask your recent academic advisor, professors, or your current employer to write reference letters for you. Read more about the process here.
12. How does somebody go about providing a reference for me?
First you need to submit an online application form for the XSV programme including basic information to express your interest. Once you complete this form, you will receive a unique URL to provide to your references. You will need to contact potential references, ask for the recommendation letter, and provide the unique URL for your application. Reference letters submitted via the unique URL will automatically be associated with your submission, and you will receive a confirmation email notice for each reference that is completed.
13. What makes a good reference?
A good reference will be provided by professors and employers who:
Know you well
Know your specific skills and interests with respect to computer graphics
Can give a candid assessment of what it's like to work with you.
Can communicate your level of commitment
14. How many references do I need?
Three references are required, but you might consider requesting references from more than three people. This will increase the likelihood of obtaining at least three by the application deadline, and additional references will only enhance your application.
15. If I am selected for SIGGRAPH Asia 2008 conference, can I defer my acceptance to SIGGRAPH Asia 2009?
No. The selection process matches specific apprentices with specific mentors and does not lend itself to deferment.
16. Do I have to pay my own way to the conference? I mean, when I was a Student Volunteer there was a lot of support.
Depending on your responsibilities at the conference itself, you may receive travel assistance and registration. However, the purpose of the XSV programme is to provide you with an opportunity to network and gain additional experience within your chosen field. This may not require your presence at the conference, though we certainly hope all XSVs will attend SIGGRAPH Asia 2008.
17. Do I have to attend a jury meeting?
Possibly.
18. Do I have to pay my own way to the jury meeting?
No. Any meeting or conference attendance required and pre-approved for your volunteer position will be reimbursed within the SIGGRAPH expense policy.
19. When might I have to travel, so I can plan ahead?
If travel is involved, it will vary from committee to committee. Typically, jury or other meetings (except the SIGGRAPH Asia 2008 conference itself) take place over a weekend.
20. What can you tell me about the selection process?
The selection committee is composed of approximately a dozen people: the committee chairs who will be mentoring apprentices, and the XSV subcommittee. All members of the selection committee will read your application and the three or more supporting letters of recommendation. We will be looking for evidence of responsibility and commitment to completing tasks through your prior student-volunteering work and your evolving experience within the broad domains of computer graphics and interactive techniques. Letters of recommendation will be critical to assist the selection committee in its decision-making process. Finalists will be contacted for one-on-one interviews in March or April.
See: Things to consider when asking for a nomination letter.
21. When can I expect to be notified whether my application was accepted?
We will contact you within two weeks after receiving your application.
22. I've been accepted. Now what?
You will be contacted by your mentor, and you will begin immediately in your role as an apprentice member of his or her committee.
