The School of Engineering (SOE) educates socially responsible, career-ready engineers and will continue to prepare students for the world beyond Fairfield through the recently launched Professional Development Series (PDS), a comprehensive program designed to give undergraduates a competitive edge in a challenging job market.
The SOE hopes to provide more integrated opportunities for students to learn from alumni and sharpen their real-world capabilities by providing greater access to career fairs, internships, discussion panels and networking events throughout the year and by level.
To date, students have been able to participate in a number of career-oriented events such as a campus-wide career fair, a “backpack-to-briefcase” event, resume and cover letter review sessions, mock-interviews and a non-profit, service and graduate school fair — to name just a few.
The program is optional, but highly encouraged for all engineering students. SOE students must officially register online through OrgSync to indicate interest and special transcript designation. All students that register will be entered into a raffle for two, $25 gift cards.
Level 1: Career Exploration and Assessment
Students begin to explore their unique abilities and the tools they will need to succeed. This includes discovering options related to majors/minors, study abroad, and other opportunities that will enhance their overall education while building skills like communication and time management. Students are encouraged to get involved in extracurricular activities and start thinking about resumes.
Level 2: Professional Skills Development
Students develop the skills and documents they will need to succeed in the professional world including resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and interviewing. Motivation to explore leadership roles and experiential learning opportunities is fostered.
Level 3: Gain Experience
Students gain experience through experiential learning and become leaders on campus and in the community. Networking and conversations with alumni and other professionals is encouraged. Students continue to develop interview skills and fine-tune resumes and other key documents.
Level 4: Connect and Embark
Students will now use the skills they have gained to focus on their post-graduation plans. Programs focus on the transition from college to career. Students will finalize their student-career portfolio and be recognized for their achievements while at ¶¶Òô»ÆƬapp.
Upcoming events:
• Walking on Water: Saturday, November 19, 2 – 4 p.m. (Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Recreation Complex.) This event requires participating teams to design a system that propels a single person across the entire length of the RecPlex swimming pool with a walking or running motion above water. All of the students in Fundamentals of Engineering - EG31 will compete. This event is also an “inspire” event for the First Year Experience program and is free and open to the public to attend.
• Resume for First Year Students Workshop: Wednesday, November 30, 5 - 6 p.m. (Kelley Presentation Room)
• Stags4Hire Workshops: Tuesday, January 24 and Wednesday, January 25, 2017, time and location TBD. Stags4Hire is a website where employers post their jobs and internships specifically for Fairfield students. SOE students should upload their approved resume on Stags4Hire and professionally title the document with their first and last name (ex.Lucas.Stag_Resume.doc)
• Communication and Social Media Workshop: Thursday, February 2, time and location TBD. This workshop addresses today's various communication outlets and the “Do's” and “Don’ts” of using them professionally and appropriately.
For further information, please contact the School of Engineering at 203-254-4000, ext. 4147.
