Spring break is next week and you are probably thinking that you just want to bust out and have some fun.  I know I am planning to relax and unwind.  If you are graduating this semester or hoping for a good summer job, you may not want to slack off completely just yet.  This is prime time for that push to get the jump on your classes and on your job search.

Want to beat the competition?  Want to stand out above all of the other candidates that are interviewing for the jobs you are applying for?  Put together a portfolio.   It is useful for interviews, salary and promotion reviews, and new boss situations. 

What is a portfolio?  Portfolios are a tool commonly used by artists, architects, and interior designers to show potential clients and employers their work. For an engineer, it is a relatively new idea.  

A portfolio shows the employer samples of your work and pictures of projects you have worked on.  It allows you to assemble, in an orderly fashion, representations of your best quality work.  It gives you a chance to stand out from the competition by showing the employer you hope will hire you, a visual display of your work.  

A portfolio is defined as hinged cover or flexible case for carrying loose papers, pictures or pamphlets.  For job seeking and interviewing purposes it is a set of pictures, such as drawings or photographs, either bound in book form or loose in a folder. Samples of your best work.

It is important to understand that a portfolio is not a resume.  A resume is a summary of your background and talents.  A portfolio is a display of your work.  (A resume should be included as the first item in your portfolio.)  

Items that you choose to include in your portfolio depend in large part on what you have to show, and what you determine the employer needs to see. You will decide what to include after you have done some research and analysis.   Read the job description and talk to people that currently work for the company to see what to emphasize. Visit the employer’s web site to glean relevant information.  Then keep it simple.

The employer is looking for a basic set of skills and some specialized expertise specific to their industry.  Included in the skills and expertise sought by employers are the following:
• Technical Expertise
• Computer Skills
• Communications Skills- both Written and Verbal
• Analytical/Problem Solving 
• Leadership Skills
• Organization Skills
• Team Skills

Your task is to find items from the stuff of your life that show these skills and expertise.  Examples of your talents can be seen in the things you have done such as reports, projects, designs, drawings, computer programs, diagrams, flow charts, class lists, documentation, memos, events, and letters of recommendations (employers are also looking for what others have said about you), etc.

They come from your:
• School work
• Work situations
• Professional activities
• Leisure activities
• Community activities

Your senior project will be one of the richest sources of material to include in your portfolio.

To construct your portfolio you will need to get fresh, crisp, clean copies of the documents you plan to use.  Do not use originals.  Be sure to run spell checks on everything.  And go to a professional copy service.  Take pictures of your senior project with the whole team smiling!  Then use the copies with captions under the pictures.  You can get color copies at any of the commercial copy centers.

You will have to invest some money in stationary supplies such as sheet protectors, binders and dividers.  Don’t be cheap!  Buy high quality supplies.

Your portfolio should not be just thrown together; it should be extremely well organized and very professional looking.  You will need a table of contents at the beginning and you will need to place dividers with labels in front of each new item.  You should not throw in absolutely everything; just use the most impressive representations of your work and skills.

The use of a portfolio can really make you standout.  It increases your confidence and it impresses employers.  A portfolio helps you compete when the competition might have more experience.  You will have a better presentation of your experience!  That can make the difference in getting the job.

This Saturday, visit the California Fuel Cell Partnership in West Sacramento.  Tour the facilities, learn how to fill a car with hydrogen fuel, talk to fuel-cell vehicle engineers and tour the inside of a fuel-cell bus. 


This is your opportunity to test-drive a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle!

When: 10AM to 4PM, Saturday, March 29th

Where: 
Headquarters of the California Fuel Cell Partnership
3300 Industrial Blvd.,
West Sacramento

(Harbor Blvd. Exit off I80)

Bring: A valid driver’s license, if you want to test drive

Automakers cars: Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen

For more information call: (916) 371-2870 or visit 
www.cafcp.org

Students in my career planning classes can use this event to make up for a missed class if they write a short summary report on the event.  

There is still space available,
FE – EIT exam online seminar Saturday March 29, 2008

Do you need help with passing the EIT /FE exam?
EIT (FE) Exam Help Seminars sponsored by CSPE

Are you signed up for the EIT exam this spring (or do you know some who is), would you like to know how to pass the exam from professional engineers who have passed the exam? California Society of Professional Engineers, CSPE a nonprofit engineering society dedicated to enrichment of the engineering profession, is sponsoring Fundamentals of Engineering (FE/EIT) exam review seminars.

If you are interested in what the exam is all about and how to pass it, you may want to check out the CSPE web site, www.cspe.com.

The FE Seminar is a one day seminar (6 hours or so depending on questions). The fee for the seminar comes with membership in the California and National Society of Professional Engineers. Seminar attendees will have access to seminar notes and seminar website. The seminar also covers how students can apply for a grant to cover exam fees. There is also a discount for members of engineering societies.

The EIT(FE) Seminars compliment your exam review (review courses or review on your own). The Seminars focus on the exam and how to pass the exam. The seminars cover:

1. What is the exam, how to approach it, what are the best strategies to pass the exam.


2. How is the exam organized; what is the best way to get through the exam to get the most points.


3. What are the high probability questions that will be asked on the exam, what are the things to know in each topic area, and how to solve the problems fastest way to get the most points on the exam.

For more information on the seminars and CSPE: www.cspe.com/FunctionalAreas/StudentYouth/ddseminar.htm

Article on, How to Pass the Professional Engineering Licensing Exams: http://www.cspe.com/FunctionalAreas/StudentYouth/howtopass.htm

To sign up for the seminar: http://cspe.quartzvalley.com

Please forward to a colleague who would be interested.

Hi Cici,

My name is Todd Carrington and I graduated from Sac State last Fall with a BS in Computer Science.  I am writing to let you know that HP, Roseville, is seeking college graduates (students expecting to graduate in May/June or who have graduated within in the last six months) for an entry-level position as a firmware developer on their x86-based and Itanium-based servers.  If you know any interested CPE, CSC or EE students, please direct them to the following link where they can view the job description and/or apply:

 http://h10055.www1.hp.com/jobsathp/content/search/search.asp?Lang=ENen

Follow the above link; in the "Keyword or Job Number Search" field, enter "205179" (sans quote).


Thanks,
Todd

The three software engineer  positions at Intel announced in the earlier urgent email this week has generated lots of resumes for Ly Dang.  Ly wishes to clarify the specifications as many of the candidates do not qualify for the available positions.  Ly indicates that many of the candidates are really good but need a sponsorship or a VISA to work in the US.  The team can only hire individuals with permanent residency or US citizenship.  In addition, candidates MUST have C++ and OOP skills.

Here are the requirements once again:

Software Engineers’ criteria: C++/C, spl server, OOP methodologies, System Archiecture, familiar with Visual Studio Environment.

MUST HAVE US Citizenship or Permanent US Resident Status.

If you meet this criteria please send your resume to:

Contact: Ly Dang
Phone: 916-204-2994
email: ldangly@yahoo.com (resume)
 

Hi Cici,

We are looking into hiring an entry-level Civil Engineer here in Nevada City.  I sent a note out to all the students on our list from the career fair, but I was hoping you could give them my email as well.  The students are more than welcome to contact me with any questions.  We’d love to see their resumes!

Thanks,
Melissa


Tahoe National Forest

    Student and Entry-Level Engineer
The Tahoe National Forest is recruiting for a Civil Engineer under the provisions of the USDA Career Intern Program (CIP). This position will be stationed in Nevada City, CA and filled on a two year full-time basis with the potential of becoming a permanent position. The starting salary range is $34,139 to $51,738 per year in addition to standard benefits.  Primary requirements include U.S. Citizenship and a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.
The intern will work under a formal training plan and will be responsible for a wide range of civil engineering duties and tasks. This is a developmental position and candidates will receive training to acquire the necessary skills. The duties include, but are not limited to, preparation/development of project plans, scheduling, budget considerations, assembling specifications, coordination with resource specialists, site surveys, and construction project inspection.  Forest Service engineering projects include roads, trails, bridges, water systems, campgrounds, watershed restoration, and buildings.
For more information and to submit résumés, contact Melissa Hallas, 
mhallas@fs.fed.us, 530-478-6193, or visit 
http://www.fs.fed.us/fsjobs/.

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

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 Senior Environmental Scientist in the UST Leak Prevention Technical Unit, the student will be responsible for:

1. Assisting technical staff with technical duties such as preparing summary reports and analyzing data.
2. Assisting technical staff with data entry and upload into database systems.
3. Work with the State Water Resource Control Board webmaster to update the UST website as information changes.
4. Research topics that pertain to UST regulation as assigned.
5. Perform other duties as assigned that support the UST Leak Prevention Unit such as administrative duties as necessary, make copies, scan documents, prepare mailings, and prepare organization folders.
6. Performing duties while learning the basic concepts, policies, procedures, methods, and regulations pertaining to the UST program.

Preferred Major or Courses:

Major/Course One: Environmental Studies
Major/Course Two: Engineering
Major/Course Three: Geology
Major/Course Four: Biological Sciences / Chemistry

Preferred Experience:

The Student should have knowledge of:
1. General office procedures and etiquette
2. Organization
3. Computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and Power Point
4. Traditional types of research as well as research on the internet


Preferred Abilities:

The student is expected to be courteous and be able to provide timely responses to internal/external customers, to follow through on commitments, to be well organized and to solicit and consider internal/external customer input when completing work assignments. The Student Assistant should be able to provide a high level of technical, computer, and research support to environmental, scientific, and management staff. The student must be detail oriented, possess good communication skills and be able to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.

Job Information – Information Help
Final Filing Date: Until Position is filled.
Salary per hour:
From: $11.15
To: $16.00
Hours Per Week, minimum: 15 to 20

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: John Elkins
Email Address: jelkins@waterboards.ca.gov
State Agency: State Water Resource Control Board
Division: Division of Water Quality - Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program

Mailing Address:
1001 I Street
City, State, Zip:
Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone Number: 916-341-5668
Fax Number: 916-341-5808

Dear Sir or Madam:
 
I am writing in the hope that you will share this information about our residential and day summer program opportunities with graduate and undergraduate students in your department.
 
For over 25 years, The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth has been offering intensive course work for academically talented pre-collegiate students. Students who attend are between 8 and 16 years old, and take rigorous courses in mathematics, science, computer science, humanities, and writing.
 
CTY offers valuable professional opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students. 
 
·  For graduate students who already have some experience teaching, our programs offer the opportunity to expand and hone their teaching strategies in a professional community that focuses on pedagogy and encourages academic creativity and rigor. 
 
·  For undergraduates and graduates without previous teaching experience, many of our positions offer the opportunity to gain job skills in a closely supervised and supportive setting.  Positions include office manager, teaching assistant, resident assistant, health assistant, program assistant, general assistant, and residential program assistant.  Working with potential mentors and highly motivated students, an employee will observe and practice effective teaching, residential, and supervisory skills and strategies, and take on an appropriate level of responsibility for his or her experience level.
 
Attached to this email you will find a job posting (and also copied below). Department faculty, staff, and students are welcome to contact us at ctysummer@jhu.edu or 410-735-6185 for more information.
 
Applications for employment as well as detailed information about our program may be found at 
 www.cty.jhu.edu/summer/employment.html.

Sincerely,

Recruiting Committee
Center for Academic Programs

Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth
5801 Smith Ave
McAuley Hall, Suite 400
Baltimore, MD 21209
410-735-6185
ctysummer@jhu.edu


EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
–Summer 2008 –
 
Who: Johns Hopkins University–Center for Talented Youth (CTY)

What: We are seeking enthusiastic staff to work in our summer programs. CTY offers intense 3-week academic programs for highly talented elementary, middle, and high school students from across the country and around the world.
 
Where: Residential site locations around the country: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.  Day Site locations in the Baltimore-Washington and Los Angeles areas.
 
When: Session 1: June 26–July 19, Session 2: July 19–August 9  Administrators work both sessions and work June 23 – August 9
 
Why:  CTY staff work with exceptional students, make contacts and friendships with dynamic colleagues, and gain valuable experience in a rigorous academic setting.

Salary:
Instructor - $1,970 - $2,970 (per three week session)
Teaching Assistant - $1,100  (per three week session)
Resident Assistant - $1,200  (per three week session)
Health Assistant – $1,400  (per three week session)
Site Director - $7,800 (per seven weeks)
Academic Dean - $5,800  (per seven weeks)
Dean or Residential Life - $5,800  (per seven weeks)
Academic Counselor - $4,800 – $5,400  (per seven weeks)
Office Manager - $4,000  (per seven weeks)
Residential Program Assistant - $2600  (per seven weeks)
Nurse - $4,800 – $6,000 or hourly $18.50 - $23.00  (per seven weeks)
Room and board are provided at residential sites

Visit:  www.cty.jhu.edu/summer/employment
You can also contact us at 410-735-6185 or ctysummer@jhu.edu for more information.
Johns Hopkins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Opportunities for College Students:

Resident Assistant
Resident assistants (RAs) are responsible for the health and safety of the students in their charge at all times other than when the students are in class. RAs are also responsible for planning and conducting student activities. RAs’ working hours are primarily the hours students are not in class, RAs also work weekends.

Teaching Assistant
The primary responsibilities of teaching assistants (TAs) are tutoring students, assisting with the paperwork of a class, teaching the class as requested by the instructor, supervising evening study sessions, helping with administrative tasks such as typing and photocopying, and generally helping to ensure that the class runs smoothly.
 
Health Assistant
Health Assistants (HAs) work with the site nurse and site director on site health care issues. They participate in the day to day operation of the site infirmary, keep track of students’ medications and medical appointments, and accompany students on emergency room or physician visits.
 
Residential Program Assistant
Residential Program Assistants (RPAs) are responsible for providing general assistance at their sites both in the office and with the residential program. Specific tasks and responsibilities can and do change according to each day’s demands.
 
Program Assistants (Day Site Only)
The primary responsibilities of program assistants (PAs) are tutoring students; assisting with the class paperwork; teaching the class as requested by the instructor; helping with administrative tasks such as typing and photocopying, and generally helping to ensure that the class runs smoothly.

Opportunities for Graduate Students/Administrators:

Instructor
Summer programs instructors are responsible for teaching an appropriately challenging and rigorous course to approximately 15 18 highly able students (12 14 in Young Students classes).

Site Director
A CTY site director’s role is similar to a head of school’s. Site Directors provide overall leadership and manage the day-to-day operations at their sites.

Academic Dean
A CTY academic dean performs the duties equivalent to a dean of faculty.  Gaining both supervisory and administrative experience, he or she supports and guides a staff of 20-60 instructional staff with a variety of educational backgrounds and teaching skills.

Dean of Residential Life / Dean of Students
The dean of residential life assumes primary responsibility for supervising the residential staff and ensuring that the residential community is safe, engaging, and complementary to the academic mission of the program.
 
Academic Counselor
The academic counselor position at CTY is similar to that of a school counselor. As a member of the site administrative team, the academic counselor helps create a residential community responsive to the emotional needs of the program’s students. .
 
Office Manager
The office manager’s primary responsibility is to assist the site director in all aspects of the day to day operation of the site’s main office, including bookkeeping. The position has a customer service orientation, with “customers” considered to include parents, students, and staff.


Summer Program Locations:

We have locations for residential sites in: 

Baltimore, MD - Bethlehem, PA - Bristol, RI - Carlisle, PA - Chestertown, MD - Easton, PA - Kaneohe, HI - Lancaster, PA - Los Angeles, CA - Loudonville, NY - Palo Alto, CA - San Francisco, CA - Santa Cruz, CA - Saratoga Springs, NY  - South Hadley, MA - Thousand Oaks, CA - ROOM AND BOARD IS PROVIDED
 
We have day site locations in:

Alexandria, VA - Los Angeles, CA - Owings Mills, MD - Pasadena, CA - Sandy Spring, MD


To find out more about any of these positions, please visit:

http://www.cty.jhu.edu/summer/employment

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