January 2008 Issue
STUDENT COLUMN
Career Days, Mixers And Much More
BY KORY MATHEWSON
University of Alberta Student Columnist (Engineering)
Welcome back! The fall term is coming to an end and this is the first submission from engineering students at the University of Alberta. I’m returning for a second year as your campus correspondent.
A lot has happened at the University of Alberta since September and I will try my best to give a rundown of how things have gone over the past four months. If all is unfolding as it should, we students are in the swing of things and not too overwhelmed with looming exams.
So far we have experienced work-related events such as the wonderful CAPS Career Day, and specific information sessions — the APEGGA Engineering Mixer, Agrium, Halsall, and the WISEST and UA-WiSE Industry and Research Fall Mixer for female students.
Engineers Without Borders was graced with as speech from George Roter, the organization’s co-founder and co-CEO.
Also, we have been introduced (or reintroduced) to the social life of the engineering student with a Country Crusade, Pub Crawls and local area network parties for clubs by discipline, event or project — the Electrical Engineering Fall Shocker and the Civil Engineering Club LAN Party, for example.
Also, clubs such as the University of Alberta Space Elevator Racing Team and the U of A Aero Design Team are recruiting new members and working on project goals for the year. Intramural teams are also being created, including co-ed inner tube, water polo and dodgeball.
Preparation for Geer Week is well underway with many clubs organizing and planning teams and events for one of the biggest events of the year. It takes place early in the winter semester in January.
First-year students are learning the ropes — and building a social life as well. The First-Year Engineering Club has assembled and is starting to plan events, such as a pool tournament.
The fourth annual Engineering Head Shave in support of the Alberta Cancer Foundation took place on Dec. 1, and at deadline details weren’t available. But the goal this year was a whopping $100,000. More details will follow next month.
The University of Alberta Engineering Competition on Nov. 3 had participants from all disciplines taking part in design, debate and consulting competitions. Results — as well as how the delegation to the Western Engineering Competition in January — will follow next month.
Also watch for results of the Civil Engineering Club’s 19th annual Popsicle Stick Bridge Contest, which took place Nov. 15.
The University of Alberta Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society Student Chapter has been busy with tours with top researchers in top labs, such as the EMBS-NMR facility tour. The chapter will continue its work in connecting interested students with groundbreakers in this exciting field, next semester.