The Dean’s Office of the College of Engineering & Computer Science is hosting a special event!

Spring 2008 E&CS Student BBQ

Thursday, February 14, 2008

11:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Riverside/Santa Clara Courtyard

Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chips and Soda

Happy Valentine’s Day!

The government is the largest employer in the Sacramento region.  80,000 people work for government in this area.  This is a sector that should not be ignored.  The State of California provides some of the very best opportunities for engineering and computer professionals.  The training programs that state employees go through are some of the best in the world.  

The State is also one of the most stable employers you will find.  California is, after all, the fifth largest economy in the world.  The demand for engineers and computer professionals at the State will continue regardless of the deficit.  On December 26th of last year, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced plans to launch a program that would add 20,000 engineers to the state’s workforce over the next decade (this includes private employers too).  Over the next few years the State of California expects to retire 55,000 employees, many of whom are engineers and computer professionals.  Hiring by the state will dominate the employment picture for the foreseeable future.  

I am frequently asked what to expect in state hiring exams. This past week a former student emailed asking how he can prepare for two exams he is scheduled to take over the next month.   He asked if there is a good study guide for state exams.  

According to Sally Bennett, IT Recruitment Coordinator for the California Franchise Tax Board, “Because the exams are competitive, there are no study guides.  However, when people actually study, they do very well on the exam, especially if they study the items that are under “Scope” on the exam bulletin for the particular position that is being tested for.  Exam bulletins for every exam offered by the state include a scope section that explains what knowledge and abilities the candidate must demonstrate.  It is really easy to figure out what to study if you analyze the exam bulletin.  These are entry level exams so the questions cover basic information.”

Bennett says that the Internet is a great tool for finding info to study on the various topics covered.  My best recommendation is to study relevant class notes and text books after analyzing the exam bulletin.  Be sure to cover topics that are part of the basic knowledge you have:  SW life cycle, logic and analysis, methodology of analysis, project management, programming, leadership, team dynamics, communications and customer service, conflict resolution.  These are things that candidates have told me are on state exams or are asked in interviews. 

You should also be prepared to write an essay. Essay questions on exams test whether you can write coherently and effectively.   Be prepared to write essays on project management and on your role in the projects you have worked on.

The higher the level of the position the harder the test will be.  It is good to be over prepared for any test.  Anticipate the worst and study as if you are being given a comprehensive final on all of your technical knowledge and skills.

According to Sally Bennett, the biggest mistake people make in any exam or interview is failure to answer the question that is being asked.  Many times candidates just read or listen the first part of the question and think they know the answer and they go off in the wrong direction with their answer.  Read the whole question carefully and answer what they are asking!  If you are in an interview, be sure to clarify exactly what they are asking if you have any doubt.

To see actual questions that CSUS grads have been asked in interviews and exams go to http://www.ecs.csus.edu/career and click on interview help and click on the Interview Advantage System.

Still looking for a job?

Have you visited the ECS web site lately?

We maintain a fabulous web site at http://www.ecs.csus.edu/career that allows you apply for jobs and post your resume and much more right away:

1.  Companies post both internship and career jobs in JETX on our web site for candidates to apply for directly.

2.  This e-newsletter goes to 4000 students and alumni weekly during the semester.  Back issues with tons of job leads and are available on the site.  Go back through them for info on jobs, salaries, interview opportunities and tons of other useful info.

3.  You also want to get your resume posted on the site asap.  Students are getting offers from companies who grab their resumes there.  POST YOUR RESUME NOW! www.ecs.csus.edu/career

4.  You will find tons of other useful info on job seeking, interviewing, resume writing, salary negotiating on the site.  Just surf around.

5.  We now have an interview room for companies to interview candidates- check the site for companies signed up to interview this Spring.  More are expected to sign up as the semester progresses!


Cici

Career Day 2008, On Monday, March 10, 2008 now has 124 companies registered!

COMPANIES ARE HIRING FOR STUDENT AND CAREER POSITIONS!

List of Companies is at http://www.ecs.csus.edu/career.

Check out the list on our web site!!!  There is something for everyone-FRESHMEN THROUGH GRAD STUDENTS AND ALUMNI!!! 

We survey these companies about hiring plans and they have reported a total of 3607 openings!!!

Be sure to get your resume, portfolio, and interview outfit before then... You have plenty of warning!

All four sections of my 1 unit Career Planning Class EEE/CE/ME 194 and CS 192 all have spaces for students who want to add! 

THE OUTLOOK:

I expect hiring to continue at least thorough the first half of 2008.  The economy is contracting rapidly though it does not seem to be evenly spread across all sectors.  Some segments are harder hit.  The economy is like musical chairs, when the music stops, you want to have a seat!  Don’t waste time procrastinating!  Get in before things slow down.  Use Career Day 2008 to get a job- student or career!!!

DO NOT MISS THIS EVENT!  PREPARE!  BE THERE!    

Career Day 2008 promises to be the biggest event ever hosted by the College of Engineering and Computer Science.  We have 130 companies attending the day long event in the University Union Ballroom (8 am to 3 pm). With this many companies attending it will be easy to get overwhelmed if you do not have a well developed strategy.  A little bit of work in advance of the event can make a big difference for your overall success in connecting with the right company.  

I would suggest that you use Career Day 2008 as an opportunity to gather information about the various companies that hire individuals with your major and to establish contacts for future networking in companies that interest you. 

Here is a recipe for success on how to approach a career fair- before, during and after:
First scan the list of job fair attendees and select the companies that interest you the most and check out their web pages. The complete list is at http://www.ecs.csus.edu/career.
Identify companies attending the job fair that are recruiting your major and rank according to your interest.
Tailor your resume for the companies that you are interested in. You will probably need more than one version of your resume and you will want to change the objective as necessary.
 
On the day of the fair, approach companies that interest you the most first. Make contact and get information. ASK QUESTIONS!
If you are interested GET A BUSINESS CARD AND PICK UP COMPANY LITERATURE and leave a resume.
Send a thank you letter/email and attach another copy of your resume!

The types of questions you should be asking:

Open ended questions rather than the typical  "Are you hiring?" questions will allow you to gain the most useful information. Here are some examples:
What types of career possibilities are there for CE (BME, CM, CPE, CS, ME, MET) in your company?
What type of training programs do you have?
What types of projects does your company work on?
What kinds of projects might I expect to work on in my first years with your company? What kind of growth might I expect?
What is a typical day like?
What makes someone successful in your company?
What do you like best about your field/company?
What advice would you give a person seeking work in your industry?
Can you give me the names of anyone else I should talk with given my interests? (You will have to identify your interests at  this point).
May I have your business card? (For future contact).

We now have 130 companies signed up for the event. Companies are hiring for student and career positions as well as for experienced professionals. I can get us to the day of the event but the day of the event requires the help of 120+ students and alumni.  You can sign up very easily by clicking on the "Help Sign-up Career Day 2008" showing at the top of the picture in the center of the Career Services Office web page at http://www.ecs.csus.edu/career. 

I am asking people to sign up for just one hour.  That is all it takes if we can get everyone to help.  6 days before the event I will be sending email to all of the volunteers with detailed instructions. This is what you will find on my link.

Setup:
Will help the companies from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Career Day with any setup they require.
This section is full

Door People:
Greet the students and alumni at the door throughout the day. Distribute seminar info and company lists to attendees.
(Students sign up in 1-hour increments)
This section is full

Teardown:
Will be on hand to help with the tear down including helping the companies take down their displays and returning it to their cars.
(Takes 30-40 min when fair ends at 3)
1 more volunteer needed

Food Servers:
Over see the serving of sweet rolls and coffee in the morning from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
1 more volunteer needed

Backpack Check-in Table
Take students backpacks just inside the door. Put a number on the backpack and give the corresponding number to the owner.
(Students sign up in 1 hour increments)
5 more volunteers needed

Session
Professor/Group
Date
Time
Room



Math 1
Etterbeek
Tuesday, Mar 4
7pm-9pm
RVR 1015



Circuits
Tatro
Wednesday, Mar 5
7pm-9pm
SQU 301



Math 2
Etterbeek
Thursday, Mar 6
7pm-9pm
RVR 1015



Statics
Homen
Tuesday, Mar 11
7pm-9pm
RVR 1015



Economics
German
Wednesday, Mar 12
7pm-9pm
SQU 301



Chem 1
Mack
Thursday, Mar 13
7pm-9pm
RVR 1015



Dynamics
Ouchida
Tuesday, Mar 18
7pm-9pm
RVR 1015



Mechanics of Materials
Porbaha
Wednesday, Mar 19
7pm-9pm
SQU 301



Chem 2
Mack
Thursday, Mar 20
7pm-9pm
RVR 1015



Materials Science
Bandy
Tuesday, Mar 25
7pm-9pm
RVR 1015



Thermodynamics 1
Marbach
Wednesday, Mar 26
7pm-9pm
SQU 301



Fluids
Zhou
Thursday, Mar 27
7pm-9pm
RVR 1015



Spring Break



Biology/Statics 2
Homen
Tuesday, Apr 8
7pm-9pm
RVR 1015



Thermodynamics 2
Noren
Wednesday, Apr 9
7pm-9pm
SQU 301



Tips & Strategies
Dahlquist
Thursday, Apr 10
7pm-9pm
RVR 1015




     

Sponsored By Tau Beta Pi     Engineering Honor Society 
For More Information Contact Pat Homen: homenp@ecs.csus.edu 

Exam Date: Saturday, April 12

Frito Lay will hold interviews for: Manufacturing Operations Manager

April 25, 2008 (multiple interviews times are available)
Start time 9:00am
End time 3:00pm

Majors Sought: EEE ME MET 

Length of each interview: 45 min.

For position details: 
 www.ecs.csus.edu/career/iss/students 


After reviewing the information  - Carol Kneis will review resumes and schedule candidates for interview to be held in RVR 2006
Candidates will get a phone call or email if Frito Lay is interested in interview them!

Hi Cici,
 
I am currently a graduate student at CSUS and work for Intel in Folsom.
 
We have some internships in Analog and Digital Circuits design areas and would appreciate if you would please forward the information below to students in EEE that might be interested.
 
Thank you for your time.
 
Leander Perera
 
 
 
Description of position and contact information is as follows:
 
·Internships are for Analog and Digital Circuits Design areas.
 
·We do custom analog and digital circuit design for chipsets and CPUs.
 
·Looking for interns who has all or some of following background: basic CMOS circuits design, layout and simulations, design, simulation and validation tools, ckts validation and testing.
 
·Other helpful skills: Device Perl scripting, Computer Architecture, VHDL and/or Verilog skills, Circuits Design, validation and layout tools.  
 
·Previous intern experience on above areas will also be a plus.
 
Please email resumes to: 
Barana Ranaweera
Chipset Products Group
barana.ranaweera@intel.com                                       
 

Hello Cici Mattiuzzi,
 
            You must remember me, I am one of Doctor Vadhva’s students and you gave me some important guidance on my resume writing and interview techniques.
            Since than I have joined Intel Folsom in the Processor group and I am doing well.
            I was informed that our team is looking hire some new interns. 
 
Requirement:

Grad of Undergrad (Junior / Senior) EEE/CE
Allowed and willing to do Six Months or longer Internship that can change into Full time position afterwards depending on the performance of the intern.
Good knowledge of Computer Architecture.
Good written and verbal Communication Skills.

Please send your resume to this address, alan.b.dlima@intel.com
 
Thanking you
 
Jagat Shah

 

Hi Cici,

Not sure if you already got this message. If you have good candidates, please forward their resumes.

Thanks
Giuseppe


Hello,

We have just received an Intern Requisition. We are looking for a local (UC Davis or SAC State) student to work year round. There is a possibility this could be a 2 year position. Please let me know if you know of any qualified candidates that might be interested in this position.  Candidates must have US Citzenshippermanent resident status.

Job Description:
As an Intern for the R&D Solutions Test Center you will contribute to a variety of on-going projects such as building centralized network test areas, investigate & implement virtualization test options used to simulate large test environments, security test execution, and others technical projects.

This position is for a student pursing a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or computer science who has successfully completed their sophomore year of college. Ideal candidate will work year round; part-time during the school year and full-time during school breaks. There is the potential for this position to last 2 years as a year-round College Intern.

Education:
Currently pursing or holding a Bachelor’s (undergraduate), Master’s (graduate) or Ph.D. (post graduate) degree in a technical discipline (e.g. computer science, computer engineering, engineering, information technology, etc.). Candidates should have successfully completed their sophomore year of college by spring ’08.

Skills:
Strong creative skills
Strong initiative
Strong analytical skills and effective problem solving ability
Software development and de-bugging skills
Ability to research technical issues and generate creative/innovative solutions
Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills in a large, diverse environment
Fluency in English language; strong written and verbal communication skills

To apply online go to hp.com and scroll to jobs >  find the job requisition # 206627 - Intern Network Solutions Test


Karen Dorchak
ProCurve by HP
Solutions Test Center Manager

Dear Students and Faculty,
 
Here is another opportunity for our students in all major in engineering and computer science. Deadline, February 29.  You do not have to be a US citizen to apply.
 
Regards
 
Jose J. Granda
CSUS California Space Grant Director

Applications deadline extended to Feb. 29, 2008.
Aerospace Science and Engineering Research Opportunities
Summer 2008
http://www.ae.uiuc.edu/opportunities/reu/

The Department of Aerospace Engineering (AE) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) announces Summer 2008 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs).  Funding for the REUs comes from a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant.
The ten-week research program focuses on multidisciplinary research in aerospace science and engineering (ASE). We invite highly-motivated juniors (rising seniors) with backgrounds in engineering, computer science, and physics to apply for an REU position.
This program will involve students who will:
•Contribute actively to an intensive research project on the UIUC campus for ten weeks in the summer 2008.
•Participate in a set of aerospace-related activities (seminars, informal meetings, final paper). These activities will be designed to teach research and communication skills.
•Present the outcome of their research activities at a symposium at the end of the ten weeks.

Projects
Project 01: Design and assessment of self-healing polymers and composites
Project 02: Reliability analysis for Martian life support systems
Project 03: Design and verification of safety-critical algorithms for uninhabited aerial vehicles
Project 04: Unixial material response of Zr under dynamic tension
Project 05: Designing, building, and testing small reconfigurable mission-flexible UAV concepts
Project 06: Three-Axis Attitude Control for Nanosatellites
Project 07: Computer interface for digital image correlation
Project 08: Neural interfaces for control of semi-autonomous robotic systems
Project 09: Multiscale analysis of thin films used in MEMS devices
Project 10: Compressible Flows in Geological Applications: Directed volcanic blasts
Project 11: Electrospinning Apparatus for Production of Polymeric Nanofibers

Eligibility:
•Junior (rising senior) enrolled full-time in an accredited undergraduate degree program. Preference will be given to non-UIUC students.
•GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher
•US citizen or permanent resident
•The REU will take place June 2 – August 8, 2008, with a 40-hour work week.  Participants will receive a $4,000 stipend (based on ten weeks of work) and $2,000 toward travel and living expenses.  We will arrange for lodging.
Please go the Web site 
(http://www.ae.uiuc.edu/opportunities/reu/) for further information and how to apply.

State Water Resources Control Board (Waterboards)
Division of Water Quality (250)

The State Water Resources Control Board is responsible for:
 
The State Board’s mission is to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California’s water resources, and ensure their proper allocation and efficient use for the benefit of present and future generations.
The position listed below is available to college students currently enrolled in at least six semester or equivalent quarter units and at least a 2.0 GPA.  Applicants are hired through the Foundation for California Community Colleges.  Upon receipt of your application, our staff will review your qualifications and will contact you should your education and experience match the requirements of our current opening.  If you are not contacted, please be aware that another candidate has been chosen for the position.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Under direction of the Office Technician and Senior Water Resources Control Engineer, the student will be responsible for:
 
1.     Respond to Public Record Requests. Schedule file reviews accordingly.
2.     File reports and correspondence.
3.     Assist staff with daily duties.
4.     Log documents in LUSTIS and GeoTracker databases.
5.     Process mail-outs.
 
Preferred Major or Courses:
All Fields of Study May Apply

Major/Course Four:
 
Preferred Experience:
 
Experience with Windows and Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, and Access. Experience with customer service. Additional software knowledge desirable.

Preferred Abilities:
 
Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and think critically to solve problems. Ability to communicate effectively and work well with others. Attention to detail very important.
 
Mandatory qualifications:

California Government Code section 19133 provides all college registered students with the opportunity to obtain part-time employment with the State of California in work related to their field of study. Eligibility of students is conditioned upon their maintaining a grade point average of 2.0 and a course load of at least 6 units, and they must be employed in work related to their field of study. 
 
Job Information – Information Help
Final Filing Date: Until Position is filled.
Salary per hour:
From: $9.00
To:
$16.00
Hours Per Week, minimum:
Maximum of 30 hours per week during semester, up to 40 during school breaks.

Contact Person
TRANSCRIPTS AND PROOF OF ENROLLMENT ARE REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF INTERVIEW.  Please submit State Application (available in Career Services or by calling the number below) and resume to:
Contact Name:
Tony Scheeler
Email Address: ascheeler@waterboards.ca.gov
State Agency: Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board
Division: Underground Storage Tanks Unit

Mailing Address:
11020 Sun Center Drive, #200
City, State, Zip:
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Phone Number:(916) 464-4721
Fax Number:(916) 464-4704

Chevron Information Technology will be on campus for a variety of hiring events this semester.  Chevron is hiring for Business and Technical Applications Consulting and Business Support, Data and Information Management, and Infrastructure Design and Support.

Chevron will host an info session on Tuesday, February 19th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM in Tahoe 1025.

Chevron will also attend Career Day 2008 on March 10th in the University Union Ballroom from 8 AM to 3 PM.  

They will be at the general Campus Career Center job fair on February 20th.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science Needs Your Data

Please report any offers that you have received to ECS Career Services Web site:

 http://www.ecs.csus.edu/career  - click on the "Just Hired" link.

If you got a student position we need your data.  

If you have graduated in the past few years or if you are graduating this semester we need your data.  

The information you share is used for ABET reports and to help me identify trends in employment and salaries.

I keep your info confidential.  I only report the data!  I use your contact data to confirm and to keep in touch with you.

Employers are hiring from the resumes posted on our web site at http://www.ecs.csus.edu/career.  If you have not already posted your resume on the ECS Career Services Office Web Site, now is the time!!!  Just click on the Post Your Resume button!

Students are reporting multiple offers from using a combination of the resume posting service, the JETX job listings, and from Career Day 2008.  If you missed Career Day 2008 you can still access the hiring and contact information on the ECS Career Services web site at http://www.ecs.csus.edu/career.

Cool new feature!!!  Employers are able to search your resume now with key words!

I also send resumes out to companies so send me a soft copy in MS Word.  cici@csus.edu