On October 5, 2009, Boulder Digital Works at CU (BDW) launched its first 60 Week Program. Since then they've had forty-eight full-time students through the program, and people have landed at great places. They work at companies like CP+B, AKQA, Deutsch, Goodby, Saatchi, Team One, BBH Labs, Ascentium, W+K, EVB, Big Spaceship, Fallon, Grey, Crocs, and Gaim. And many are making a real impact on work and business – Deutsch currently has two grads on staff, Charlotte Myerberg and Erin McHugh.

Besides the smarts and dedication of the program's leadership and management, David Slayden, Michael Lightner, and Jenna Conlin, and the support of Chuck Porter and MDC Partners, one of the things that's made the program so strong and unique is the quality of its supporters. Over the last few years some truly amazing digital and creative minds have advised BDW, mentored at the program, or been a part of the 'Making Digital Work' executive workshops.

People such as Matt Howell, Ben Malbon, Kat Egan, Scott Prindle, Robert Reich, Scott Witt, Alex Bogusky, Edward Boches, Jay Wolff, Shane Steele, Allison Kent-Smith, Kip Voytek, Rae Ann Fera, Eugene Wei, Dave Schiff, Alex Burnard, Eric Eccles, Diego Rodriguez, John Winsor, Rei Inamoto, Mike Geiger, Neil Robinson, Mason Reed, Tim Malbon, Gareth Kay, Jeff Benjamin, Justin Gold, Matt Walsh, Brian Skahan, Joe Corr, Mattias Hansson, Brandon Berger, Faris Yakob, Gary Koepke, Will Aldrich, Rachael Powell, Lisa Rutherford, Will McGinness, and Randy Guthrie. To name a few.

If you're looking for a digital career boost or are passionate about creativity, technology, and marketing, but aren't quite sure what to do yet, I recommend that you take a look at the program. Boulder is an innovation town, and you'll get access to some remarkable thinkers, job opportunities, and of course, big mountains.

BDW is accepting applications for its next 60 Week Program now: http://bdw.colorado.edu/#/apply/

Yesterday was day two of Boulder Digital Works’ inaugural 60 week program. I stopped by in the afternoon and sat down with the class, got to know each of them a little bit, and talked about the origins of the program, my own digital and amateur rock star history, current marketing trends, best and worst practices, exploiting cultural tensions, how to become a social media expert in an hour or two, the current marketing client landscape around digital, why this type of education will make a difference for them, and what they can do to get the most out of it (live and breathe digital, be entrepreneurial and make it a lean forward experience, learn to lead a digital conversation, use the time as an opportunity to launch your personal brands, embrace team, don’t wait too long to come up with some ideas and start making them, and so on). There was a lot enthusiasm in the room, and I was really inspired by the group’s ambition, curiosity, and directness about why they were here. By the time I left the building, the white boards were covered, discussion was buzzing, and things looked like they were just getting started.