November 2005 ISSUE

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Mark Skovmose

STUDENT COLUMNS

Mixer Puts Feet in the Door

Exams, assignments and labs are heavy on students’ minds, often causing them to forget other important aspects of university. The social connections formed — especially those with professionals — are paramount and as significant as a grade point average.

As students graduate and move on to the working world, those connections show their true vitality.

There are plenty of opportunities to meet professionals
during the year. In November, students mixed with industry in the Science and Engineering Career Fair and the Engineering Mixer. The career fair hosted over 100 companies, informing droves of students who packed in to reap the knowledge.

Schmoozing with the Pros Students at the engineering mixer make valuable connections with professionals — which can serve them well in the years to come.  — Photo by Penny Colton, P.Geoph.

The engineering mixer featured an impressive professional-to-student ratio, nearly one to one. This allowed participants to interact more in-depth, to the extent some companies offered summer and internship interviews.

One attendee was ecstatic to have received a business card and request to submit her resumé for a summer job. It is a foot in the door for her, easing the weight of school knowing there’s one less worry for the year. For the company, it reveals the person behind the resumé, making her much easier to distinguish in a pile of hundreds.

In the spring, the Engineering Students’ Society hosts the largest student-professional conference of the year, the First and Second Year Dinner. Sponsoring companies have the opportunity to send ambassadors to become acquainted with hundreds of keen and eager students in their first couple years of engineering study – and enjoy a scrumptious meal at the Palliser Hotel, while they’re at it.

ESS is seeking all levels of sponsorship, including the platinum level sponsor, who is invited to select the keynote speaker.

To receive a free sponsorship package, contact ess@ucalgary.ca.