BCET Corporate Circle Day
The Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology held its annual Corporate Circle Career Day April 17 in Kaufman Hall. The companies represented were: WR systems, BBG, Pace Collaborative, IBM Global Business Services, Bauer Compressors, Skanska, Oceaneering and Northrop Grumman.
The annual event brings students together with local engineering firms to discuss internships and employment opportunities.
"For the college to maintain curricula that are relevant to the needs of our students' future employers, the connection with our Corporate Circle is essential," said Oktay Baysal, dean of the engineering college. "It is gratifying to know that our partnership is mutually beneficial for us and for our industry partners."
Jessica Bedois is a bookkeeper with Pace Collaborative and also a part-time ODU student working on a business degree. On Career Day, her company was looking to recruit prospective mechanical engineers.
"I appreciate ODU putting this together for us, giving students the opportunity to see what we do and what we are about," she said.
Her colleague Sarah Miller started at Pace seven years ago and is now assistant to the president. Miller is also closing in on her own ODU degree in marketing.
"I'm hoping the degree will open up new positions for us in marketing," she said.
Juan Morgado, a senior civil engineering major from Santiago, Chile, came looking for opportunities on the heels of his summer graduation.
"I'm mostly interested in transportation or structural engineering because it is an important demand now," he said.
Even though he is a freshman, Alex Thomas is already looking ahead. The electrical engineering major from Montgomery, Ala., was interested in internships and a way to help pay his way through school.
"It is a great opportunity. I am glad the school can hold events like this," he said.
Joel Johnson earned his engineering degree last December and now works for Skanska full-time, having started as an intern for them last May. He was back on campus representing his company.
How does it feel going from student to recruiter in a few short months?
"I like it. I like being back at school, seeing kids where I was a year ago," he said. "I feel like I can give them guidance."