by Cayla Castells

From the moment you enter college, rather from the moment you enter “adulthood,” everyone is asking what you want to do with your life. While many students in their late teens struggle with the thought of planning their futures, I was fortunate enough to have a plan. From previous experiences, I knew that I wanted to work for General Electric. I had a plan, but then I was faced with the means of carrying out that plan. I talked about working for GE to several of my friends, all of which had the same answer: “Go out there and do your best but try not to get your hopes up.” Every person hinted at the idea of competition and how in the real world, there was not a spot for everyone. I took this as a challenge and despite the negative response I received from my peers, I decided to try anyway. For all those experienced with job hunting in college, the obvious next step was the career fair.

Before heading to the Engineering Career Fair, I did a lot of homework. I looked on the website to see which companies would be attending. I asked Cheryl Knobloch, Women in Engineering Program (WEP) director, numerous questions and even reached out to some alumni about their experiences. My Women in Engineering Program Orientation mentors were able to give me helpful advice regarding everything from handshakes and appropriate attire to questions to ask the recruiters. Each piece of advice was vital in the success of my trip to the career fair.

Following my plan, I only approached the GE Transportation booth and spoke with the recruiter for several minutes. I highlighted aspects of my resume I wanted her to notice and asked her questions about the positions GE offered for freshman candidates. The conversation went smoothly and quickly led into a discussion about interviews the following day. I left the career fair knowing that I had used all the advice given to me and succeeded.

My trip resulted in an interview and an offer for a position, but not everyone can have the same experience. The important thing to note is that the experience at the career fair itself is more than enough. Starting to network as soon as possible is the key to becoming an expert at career fairs and ultimately getting a job. The more times someone attends, the more successful they will be. Most companies do not accept freshman applicants but that did not stop me from attending and it should not stop anyone else. Even if the odds are stacked against you, doing your homework and showing a genuine interest and knowledge about a company shows a lot. This extra piece of effort ultimately stood out to my recruiter, rewarding me with an interview and a position.

Cayla Castells is a first-year engineering student majoring in mechanical engineering. A native of Downingtown, PA, she is a member of the engineering sorority Phi Sigma Rho, the secretary of the acapella group Sorenity Row, and is active within WEP. Cayla hopes to take her technical skills to sales and work as either a sales engineer or in management.

by Shreya Trivedi

BMW. The immediate image these letters invoke in one’s mind is of a sleek and luxurious automobile. But for members of Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Society of Hispanic Professionals (SHPE) at Penn State who attended the etiquette dinner on Thursday, January 22, it means something entirely different.

Ms. Diana Zeisky, the etiquette coach at the event, etched a new meaning for BMW in our minds – Bread, Meal and Water.

The Etiquette Dinner is organized by SWE every year at The Nittany Lion Inn. The attendees have a great opportunity to network with students from different majors.

Increasing number of employers are conducting interviews or corporate dinners or networking events which includes food. Learning about etiquette is a very important skill for students as it helps establish the self-confidence needed for job interviews conducted over a lunch. Interviews are stressful enough without having to wonder what fork should be used during which course or what to do with your napkin if it falls on the floor. Also it is important to learn the soft skills to differentiate yourself from all the other candidates.

The etiquette dinner gave the students an opportunity to avoid any embarrassing table stories.
The dinner began with introductions and small talk, before the students began the delicious four-course meal. Ms. Zeisky started with the importance of a firm handshake and demonstrated the same with volunteers from the audience.

For every course, she told us to go ahead in the way we thought was right and then demonstrated the correct way to go about eating that course of the meal. She also discussed the different resting position and position indicating that you are done with the meal. These little things are of importance as you are at the event to network or concentrate on the interview and hence you don’t want to be bothered by the waiter asking to clear your plate.

And the most important message that she gave was etiquette is not just about eating, it is rather about the conversation.

The dinner event would not have been possible without the generosity of SWE’s corporate sponsor – Noble Energy, and of course the very talented and inspiring coach Ms. Diana Zeisky.

Whilst this annual event gives much needed confidence boost to our members, our sponsors also get an opportunity to showcase and position their organizations, and let prospective applicants know about various employment opportunities and what skills are they are seeking.

Shreya Trivedi is a junior majoring in aerospace engineering with minors in Engineering Leadership  Development and Engineering Entrepreneurship. A native of Ahmedabad, Gujarat (India), she serves as professional development director for the Society of Women Engineers and the Engineering Orientation Network, and a Resident Assistant for Penn State’s Residence Life. Shreya hopes to someday pursue a career in the aerospace field.

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” – Henry Ford

That powerful quote was used by Karen Sweeney (’80 AE) to close out the 2014 Henry C. Turner Prize for Innovation in Construction event on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

Sweeney, Senior Vice President: Diversity, Inclusion and Community at Turner Construction, served as moderator of the panel discussion after the Penn State Department of Architectural Engineering was recognized for bringing together students, educators, researchers, government entities, and industry to build efficiencies in the building industry and encourage energy-efficient building solutions.

The award committee specifically cited architectural engineering’s GridSTAR Center efforts at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia as one of the reasons for honoring Penn State with this year’s prize.

“We were missing a real practical practice in engineering so the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation went to Penn State to collaborate on the Navy Yard development,” explained John Grady, Turner Prize panelist and president, Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation. “Penn State warmed to the challenge quickly, especially the College of Engineering and especially the Department of Architectural Engineering. They knew how to be a difference maker. They were entrepreneurial and recognized that coming into Philadelphia meant bringing something new to the relationship.”

Panelist Ted Lynch (’92 AE, ’96 PhD), president, Southland Industries, agreed that Penn State is willing to adapt to the needs of its partners. “Penn State architectural engineering is responsive to the needs of the design/build industry,” he said.

One area of opportunity, Lynch said, is for industry and higher education to collaborate in the research areas that would help address the many issues and challenges facing the industry.

“The traditional university system isn’t set up to encourage collaboration, or at least not without too much bureaucracy,” Grady said.

“We have the freedom to establish programs like GridSTAR and engage students who are interested in these programs,” said Chimay Anumba, department head, Penn State Department of Architectural Engineering.

Another panelist and former under-secretary at the United States Department of Education, Martha Kanter, said that other universities should look at Penn State architectural engineering’s track record of preparing students for success and scale it to help solve the nationwide issue of students being underprepared for the work force.

“The nation needs graduates with imagination; students with cross- and multi-disciplinary approaches to problem solving,” Grady said. “Universities have the opportunity to bring all this together in order to train future leaders.”

The presentation of the Turner Prize (l. to r.): Chase Rynd, executive director, National Building Museum; Chimay Anumba, department head, Penn State Department of Architectural Engineering; David Riley, professor of architectural engineering and director of the GridSTAR Center; Anthony Atchley, senior associate dean, Penn State College of Engineering; Peter J. Davoren, president and chief executive officer, Turner Construction.

Karen Sweeney, left, moderates a conversation on innovation, education, and collaboration as driving forces in economic development and a 21st-century workforce. Panelists (L-R): Chimay Anumba, John Grady, Martha Kanter, and Ted Lynch.