Job Corner with Ms. Whelton, PE

One of the best ways to find out about job opportunities and secure employment is by networking. Many people talk about how important networking is to finding opportunities.  But you may be wondering, how do I go about networking?  I’m not sure where to start or what “networking” really means.  Per the Merriam-Webster dictionary, networking is “the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions; specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business”.  

So who would be the group you would “network” with?  Anyone-friends, family, friends of family members, professors, Purdue students, people you meet (at dinner, coffee shops, conferences i.e. anywhere), professionals at career fairs.  The point of networking is to establish a relationship and common interest with someone.  The best way to do this per Keith Ferrazzi in his book “Never Eat Alone” is to adopt a “giving mindset” when meeting someone.  What does this mean?  When you met a person, instead of automatically thinking about (and directly conversation toward) how to have the relationship benefit you, think about how to connect with and help the other person.  And continue to help them. Relationships are a two way street.  If you sincerely help others and want to get to know them, they will want to help you out in the future.  You are working towards building a positive reputation and genuine connection with that person.  Networks take time to build.  In the future, your connections will be more likely to help you. 

This may seem like your network is composed only of people you have a significant relationship with.  You should also establish and maintain weak ties-people you don’t frequently see, but who you would be comfortable asking for help.  Weak ties will probably be a significant part of your professional connections—you don’t have time to maintain deep relationships with everyone.  You still need to keep “regular” contact with these people-and not by including them on a group email or text.  Let them know how you’re doing/ask how they are doing once in a while. Maybe this is someone you see periodically at an event, it could be just once a year.  Or perhaps you could wish them a happy birthday or congratulate them on their work anniversary and see how they are doing.  Since this part of your network will be composed of quite a few diverse people, this is probably where you will find out the most about opportunities. 

So now we come to your “ask”.  Don’t be afraid to let people in your network know you are looking for an environmental internship or full time job, in a specific location/region (if you prefer) and see if they know of any positions or someone who may be able to help.  Make sure your ask is specific, it makes it easier for the other person to process the request and give you helpful information.  “I’m looking for a job” isn’t very specific and won’t give the other person enough information to be able to help you.  And don’t forget to be polite when you ask.  You never know who your acquaintances know, so ask!

Here is a link to the summary of the book “Never Eat Alone” that gives you great tips on topics to discuss when you first meet someone, how to approach someone/start a conversation at a conference, etc.  https://www.shortform.com/blog/networking-strategies/

Learning how to network doesn’t just benefit you now, it will help you throughout your career and your life.  The sooner you start, the better you will get at connecting to others and the stronger and larger your network will become over time. 

Statehouse Spring 2023 Internship

HOLDs: Action Required by EVERY Student in MyPurdue Portal

It is time for your annual review of your Financial Obligations Statement and Emergency Contact Information.  Please take a few minutes to review and complete both of these important tasks in order to avoid issues with your upcoming Spring 2023 registration. 

• Action needed – Affirmance of Financial Obligations:

Review and update your annual agreement by visiting the Bills & Payments page via mypurdue.purdue.edu and click the link “Affirmance of Financial Obligations” found within the Student Account section.  Doing so will automatically release the hold on your account.  Lack of compliance will result in your inability to register for classes, including the ability to drop or add courses. Click here for further instructions. 

• Action needed – Emergency Contact:

Additionally, there is an opportunity for you to provide your cell phone number in order to receive text messages from your academic advisor, Office of the Registrar and Student Success Programs.  You can access this option at www.mypurdue.purdue.edu.  Click on the Academics page and look under the Personal Information section.

UC Berkeley’s Masters of Civil and Environmental Engineering

UC Berkley’s Masters of Engineering in Civil and Environmental Engineering is a unique opportunity for technical and business coursework that helps prepare students for corporate leadership and entrepreneurship. The MEng offers a specialization in either large cyber-physical systems or transportation engineering, in addition to the existing Master of Science degrees in those areas. For more information on the two semester program.

University of Michigan School of Public Health Graduate Program

Applications for all graduate degrees and programs at the University of Michigan School of Public Health are now open for a Fall 2023 start. View all application requirements and deadlines here.

The school offers five graduate degrees across eight areas of study- including residential and online master’s degree options- as well as several dual degree programs.

Masters of Architecture at Ball State University

The R. Wayne Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) at Ball Stat University offers two graduate degree tracks: Track 1 is a 2-year M.Arch curriculum program (for students with a pre-professional Undergraduate degree in Architecture) and Track 2 is a 3-year M.Arch curriculum program (for students with any Undergraduate degree). Our M.Arch program is based on the learning opportunities of two cities, the urban environment of Indianapolis at the Ball State CAP: Indy Center (located at 25 N. Pine Street, Indianapolis, IN) and Ball State’s residential campus environment in the small rust belt city of Muncie, Indiana.  The focus of our award-winning M.Arch program, in both cities, combines work in community engagement, human and building performance, digital design and fabrication, social and environmental justice, integrated systems knowledge, and interdisciplinary design opportunities within CAP’s seven allied design departments and programs.

Additionally, BSU’s robust Dual Degree program allows students to creatively combine course offerings in the M.Arch program with one of five other graduate departments in our College including Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Historic Preservation, and Interior Design. We currently have students doing dual degrees in other colleges on BSU’s campus as well, including Business, and Communications and Information Media. Four graduate certificate programs are offered in the architecture department: Digital Design and Fabrication, Social and Environmental Justice, Historic Preservation, and our newly formed on-line graduate certificate offering High Performance Building Design. Also offered within the College of Architecture and Planning are certificates in Sustainability, Interior Design: Planning and Design of Healthcare Environments and Urban Planning: Real Estate Development.

See attached flyers for more information.  Flyer 1,  Flyer 2,  Flyer 3,  Flyer 4. 

Purdue FAFSA Submission Reminder

To receive priority consideration for federal, state and university-based financial aid, all current and prospective students planning to attend Purdue University West Lafayette in the fall of 2023 should submit the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after Oct. 1, but no later than Purdue’s April 15, 2023, priority filing date. For more information.

Academic Success Center (ASC) November Workshops

The Academic Success Center is hosting various workshops to help students create a plan for finals week and to even learn new studying tactics. The November workshops are below: 

1. Practice Your Pomo on Thursday, November 3 AND Wednesday, November 9 from 7pm to 11pm. Flyer

This is a drop-in, study event for students to put a new technique to practice. This popular time management method will be led by ASC Student Leaders. During the breaks students can get up and stretch, chat with peers, grab a snack, and participate in pop culture trivia!

2. Create Your Finals Game Plan on Thursday, November 17 at 7pm AND Wednesday, November 30 at 6pm. Flyer

Workshop descriptions and the registration links can be found on our workshop webpage

Annual Green Week Includes Sustainability Events

The Campus Planning, Architecture and Sustainability unit is once again celebrating Green Week. This year’s event will take place Oct. 22-28. Green Week is an annual initiative that helps promote and encourage sustainability efforts with fun activities and events.  See details https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/purduetoday/annual-green-week-includes-sustainability-events-campus-community-invited-to-attend.html

PLaCE Courses 

PLaCE courses are short courses geared towards international students and focused on improving communication and English language skills. Classes are non-credit bearing and free to enrolled international students.  More details about classes may be found on the PLaCE website: https://www.purdue.edu/place/courses/shortCourses.html

Registration is open for Fall 2022. Go to https://purdue-place.gosignmeup.com/Public/Course/Browse  

Session 2 dates are Oct. 17- Dec 1

Scholarships for Annual Midwest Energy Solutions Conference

MEEA, in addition to this year’s scholarship sponsor, ComEd, are proud to provide support for dedicated students to attend our annual Midwest Energy Solutions Conference, held in Chicago, IL on January 31 through February 2, 2023.

The Midwest Energy Solutions Conference is the region’s premier energy efficiency event, connecting decision makers and innovators from utilities, businesses, the public sector and non-profits. It is the Midwest’s largest energy efficiency conference, allowing unique networking access to—and forward-thinking learning opportunities from—more than 450 of its most influential energy professionals.

MEEA is the Midwest’s key proponent and resource for energy efficiency policy, helping to educate and advice a diverse range of stakeholders on ways to pursue a cost-effective, energy-efficient agenda. Through partnerships, programs and the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference, we curate a forward-thinking conversation to realize the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency.

Application Guidelines

Open to college-level students from MEEA’s 13-state region, we invite students to apply for financial assistance to attend the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference. 

Application forms are due by Friday, December 2, 2022. Please email your completed PDF to knicholson@mwalliance.org with “MES 2023 Scholarship Application” in the subject line.

Questions about the application process may also be directed to this email address, or you can contact us by phone at (312) 784-7259.

Visit www.meeaconference.org for more information about our event.

American Water Works Association Scholarships

Are you interesting in pursuing a career in the water community? The American Water Works Association (AWWA) scholarship program includes over 25 scholarships sponsored by corporations and the AWWA. The scholarships range from $3000 to $30,000 for undergraduate and graduate students studying finance, IT, legal, policy, communications, engineering, and water studies.

Applications are being accepted through December 21, 2022, with awards being announced in Spring 2023 for education funding for the 2023-2024 academic year. For more information or to apply.

CE59700AE: Environmental Fluid Mechanics (Prof. Troy)

Prof. Cary Troy will be teaching CE 59700AE: Environmental Fluid Mechanics in Spring 2023.  It is assumed this is the “same” course or same content as CE 44300, converted to be taught at the graduate level.  Junior level or above required.  CE 44300 is on the EEE Selective  – Category C list.  EEE will use CE 59700AE as EEE Selective – Category C. 

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