Annual Alumni Career Night Attracts Record Number of Students

More than 150 students participated in the 4th Annual Engineering Alumni Career Night presented by The Henry Samueli School of Engineering on November 13, 2003. The event gave students a rare opportunity to speak with UCI alumni from a variety of engineering backgrounds in an interactive and informal atmosphere. Students were able to ask working engineers candid questions about what the future might hold.

The unique event generated great student interest, with attendance increasing more than 100 percent over the previous year. Alumni panelist and emcee Patrick Hong '95 commented, "It was great to see a strong turn-out from the students. It shows that they are very interested in getting a head-start on their careers in engineering."

A collaboration between the Samueli School, UCI Alumni Association, Engineering Alumni Society, Engineering Student Council and UCI Career Center, the career night offered students the chance to discuss ten different topics of interest to future engineers. Topics included, "Career Options in Mechanical Engineering," "Making the Most of Internships," "After Graduation, Graduate School or Industry?" and "Career Options in Non-Traditional Engineering Fields."

Every year, alumni panelists are a key component. They have a natural affiliation with the school and wish to volunteer their time to help students who might have the same questions that they personally struggled with some years ago. Shawn Noh '95 found the event a rewarding experience for panelists like himself and for students. "I think I may have benefited even more than the students who participated in the Engineering Alumni Career Night," Noh said. "There was so much energy and enthusiasm in the room that brought back many memories from my undergraduate years. I hope the advice I provided to the students helped to ease their anxiety about what is ahead of them after graduation."

After the event, many students commented that the evening provided them with a great deal of valuable information. One student majoring in electrical engineering and computer science said, "Everything was great. The one-on-one discussion is an excellent idea and was extremely helpful." A mechanical engineering student added, "[The program was] very nice. I wish I had attended the past couple of years."

If you would like to learn more about the annual Engineering Alumni Career Night or other alumni programs, please contact Pam DeWitt at pgdewitt@uci.edu.