For the week of 15 January 2010

Applications can be found on-line at
http://finaid.utk.edu/apply/applications/UGscholarship.shtml

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Engineering Advising Services Update

The Engineering Advising Office is taking walk-ins through January 22. No appointment needed. We are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except for lunch 12:00 noon to 1:30pm Monday through Friday. We will be back to appointments beginning January 25.

All Students

Last Day to Final Register, Add, Change Grading Options or Drop without a "W" is January 22 (Friday)

Last Day to adjust hours for Financial Aid awarding is January 27 (Wednesday)

Late Registration/Payment Confirmation Deadline at 4:30 p.m. on January 22 (Friday)

 

Engineering Outreach Update

Financial support for engineering students planning Study Abroad experiences is available on a competitive basis. Application information is available on the College Outreach website at http://www.engr.utk.edu/outreach/index2.html. Deadlines vary slightly by study abroad program applied for, but for most programs it is Feb 2 for summer, and March 2 for Fall programs.

 

 

 

 

Research Center News

Reliability and Maintainability Conference Free for UT faculty and students!

MARCON 2010, the Reliability and Maintainability Conference sponsored by our own Reliability & Maintainability Center (http://www.rmc.utk.edu/) is being held February 15-18, 2010 at the Knoxville Marriott. The conference has three (3) outstanding keynote speakers, some 30 presenters, an exhibit area and five (5) focused workshops.

The keynote Speakers are:

Dr. Michael Pecht of the University of Maryland, speaking on "What is Happening with Electronic Product Reliability"

Mr. Hugh Blackwood of Alcoa, speaking on "Identifying & Sharing Global Best Practices"

Mr. Brad Berkson of Joshua Capital, LLC. (formerly Program Director in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Undersecretary of Defense for Logistics and Material Readiness) speaking on "Logistics Effectiveness in an Environment of Declining Defense Budgets"

UT faculty and full time UT students are offered free attendance to the presentations by registering with the RMC at www.RMC.utk.edu/marcon.

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Center for Transportation Research’s (http://ctr.utk.edu/) UT Driving Simulator Featured

The UT Driving Simulator Lab was featured in the news this past week. The Knoxville News-Sentinel’s story featured Ph.D. student in Transportation Ryan Overton: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/jan/07/ut-driving-simulator-lab-tests-driv ers-real-world-/

WVLT's story by Gordon Boyd featured Dr. Xuedong Yan of the Center for Transportation Research and the Southeastern Transportation Center: http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/80955387.html

 

 

 

Office of Professional Practice Spotlight

 

The College of Engineering welcomes Todd Reeves as the new director for the Office of Professional Practice. Todd started in this role Jan. 1, 2010 after serving 21 years in private industry where he focused on new product development, team leadership, and customer relationship management.

Most recently Todd was with Emerson, working for the Knoxville-based Machinery Health Management division as a senior staff engineer and product manager. Prior to that Todd worked for General Dynamics Electric Boat division in Groton , Connecticut, as a sound and vibration design engineer.

“The combination of Todd’s engineering and marketing background uniquely qualifies him for working with employers, faculty and students to further UT’s engineering co-op and internship program,” said Dr. Masood Parang, associate dean for Academic and Student Affairs.

Since moving to Knoxville in 1991, Todd has been an active member of the Knoxville community, leading and participating in various civic organizations. Todd holds seven patents in the area of machine condition monitoring, has been a conference speaker, and has published 20 articles and presentations in various conference proceedings and trade journals. He holds a BS and MS in mechanical engineering, as well as an MBA from Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee.

 

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Upcoming Events

OPP spring event dates have been set. Students are encouraged to mark their calendars now so they don’t miss out on these opportunities!

Information Session

Jan. 20: 5:00 p.m. 416 Dougherty

Learn about co-op and internship opportunities and the benefits of participating. Experienced co-op student ambassadors will be on-hand to discuss the types of work engineers perform, and what students can expect on a co-op or internship work assignment.

Soda Shop

Feb. 3: 5:00 p.m. UC Ballroom

This casual event offers information about the co-op/internship program from staff and experienced student ambassadors, with added insight from guest speaker Clay Griffin, president of Rembco Geotechnical Contractors, Inc. Mock interviews will also be given, offering students information on how to dress, act and answer questions to give the best impression. Free soda and popcorn will be available while they last.

Resume Workshops

Feb. 10: 5:00 p.m. 216 Perkins

Feb. 24: 5:00 p.m. 216 Perkins

Students attending will learn how to format their resume specifically for co-op and internship employers. Give yourself an edge on the competition by catering to co-op and internship employers so your resume will stand out at the Engineering Fair. Students are encouraged to bring their resume to have it reviewed and receive personalized recommendations. Resume templates will be available at the workshops, or may be obtained anytime by sending an email request to coop@utk.edu

Interview Schedule Deadline

Feb. 19: Last day to schedule interviews before the fair

February 19 is the last day for students to schedule interviews before the engineering fair. Interviews are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis; those wishing to interview are encouraged to make an appointment with their co-op / internship advisor well in advance (as early as mid-January) to maximize their opportunities.

Interview Workshop

March 1: 5:00 27 Alumni Memorial Building

Learn what employers want to see and hear during an interview, and brush up on interviewing skills before attending the Engineering Fair.

Engineering Fair

March 4: 4 to 7 p.m. UC Ballroom

Engineering students are invited to attend dressed for success to discuss opportunities with business partners from corporate America. All engineering students are encouraged to attend for networking opportunities and potential interviews from employers who are completing their own interview schedules.

Interview Day

March 5: Neyland Stadium East Skyboxes

Engineering Fair interviews will be held in the Neyland Stadium East Skyboxes; students with interviews should enter at Gate 26, next to Estabrook Hall.

For more information on any of these events, or the engineering co-op/internship program, contact the Office of Professional Practice at coop@utk.edu or 865-974-5323.

 

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Student Spotlight

Featured student: Rebecca MacDonald (Left) with Jennifer McCottrell

Rebecca MacDonald is a junior in chemical engineering who worked her first co-op rotation with International Paper, in Courtland, Alabama, during the fall 2009 semester. During her work term, she wrote:

“As a co-op, I've been able to do a lot of work around the mill and have been able to see all parts of the mill. I think, all in all, getting a feel for how the work-world functions is the most important part of any co-op or internship. It gives true meaning to my studies and helps me to learn how to better prepare myself for my own career some day.

 “In this picture we are above the No. 2 Recovery Boiler; this boiler burns black liquor. Black liquor is made when white liquor breaks down wood chips so that it can be used to make paper.  The black liquor will eventually become white liquor again.

“We are in the precipitator, which removes black liquor, ash, and other chemicals from the air before it is cleaned and released into the atmosphere. We were checking the cleanliness of the precipitator.”

  Rebecca is scheduled to return to International Paper for her second rotation during the summer 2010 term. She is pictured (at left) with International Paper employee Jennifer McCottrell.

 

For information on engineering co-op and internship assignments,
contact the Office of Professional Practice at coop@utk.edu or (865) 974-5323.

 

Career Services Announcements

So, You Want to Work in Oak Ridge?

Co-Sponsors: UT Career Services and Oak Ridge Economic Partnership

Employer/Corporate Participants: DOE, ORNL, B & W Y-12, ORAU/ORISE, SAIC, Energy Solutions, Oak Ridge Energy Corridor

This workshop will give students of all majors the opportunity to learn about the many employment opportunities (full-time, part-time, seasonal, internships) in Oak Ridge, TN and how to find and successfully apply for those positions. Designed for the freshman through the graduate student, learn how you can get started on your search for an Oak Ridge job!

The workshop will begin with a brief overview by Gerald Boyd, Manager of the US Department of Energy (DOE) in Oak Ridge to help you understand the DOE operations.  This will be followed by a question and answer session with a panel of leading Oak Ridge employers who will address areas such as security clearances, opportunities for BS/BA, MS/MBA and PhD degrees in a variety of majors, future hiring needs, international student hiring, when and how to start preparing for an Oak Ridge job search and tips for success when applying and interviewing.

Don’t miss this opportunity to discover career opportunities and tips for successfully landing a job in Oak Ridge!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Location: University Center Shiloh Room

Contact: Career Services

Email: career@utk.edu

Phone: 865-974-5435

Website: Click to Visit

 

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Professors - Don't Cancel That Class!

When you have to be away from the university, call on us. Or if you would like to build career preparation into your class, just let us know!

Leslie Fox, Career Services Consultant for the College of Engineering, would love the opportunity to talk about careers for your students, resume and interview skills, or just about our resources, services and upcoming events. We're also happy to have you build in a visit from Career Services staff to your curriculum or to speak to student groups you may advise.

With advance notice, workshop and seminar options can be customized to your needs and may include:

• Career Services Center Orientation
• HIRE-A-VOL (free online job posting and resume submittal system) and On-Campus Interviewing Process
• Job Search Strategies
• How To Interview Effectively
• Mock/Practice Interview Class Assignment - Career Services can provide proof that students have completed this assignment if requested by student
• Resumes That Get Read
• Personal Branding – The Marketing of an Engineer
• Graduate School
• Guide To The Company Visit/On-Site Interview
• Job Fair Tips and Tricks
• Employment Correspondence - Cover Letters, Post-interview Thank You Letters, E-mails, etc.
• Business and Dining Etiquette
• Salary Negotiation
• Comparing Job Offers – It’s NOT Just The Money
• What Can I Do with My Major?
• Networking
• Succeeding on the Job
• Other/Specialized Topics

In order to get the process started, please e-mail Leslie at lfox6@utk.edu with a date or, if flexible, several possible dates for the presentation and any particular topic or topics that you would like covered for your class or student group. Please allow at least 2 weeks’ notice.

Thank you for helping us help your students!

Please e-mail Leslie Fox at lfox6@utk.edu with any questions about Career Services.

 

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If you have submissions for @COE, the college's electronic newsletter, please send them to Kim Cowart at kcowart@utk.edu by 12:00 noon on Thursdays.