Education Summit Looks to Future

There will be a Workforce and Education Summit hosted by Innovation Valley Inc. on March 24, 2008 at the Knoxville Convention Center. It will include educators, businesspeople, parents, community leaders, faith-based institutions, and students throughout Innovation Valley. The summit will begin at 8 AM.

The goals of the daylong summit are to outline what the region's future workforce looks like, to identify the barriers that may be standing in the way of achieving such a workforce, and for each attendee to leave with a plan of how he or she can individually contribute to the overall goal of developing a skilled and educated workforce.

Registration is free and representatives of area engineering/scientific/technical societies are encouraged to attend. Learn more and register to attend at Workforce and Education Summitt.

2008 Tennessee Science Bowl

I want to thank IEEE East Tennessee Section members Walfred Raisanen and Glenda Kurtz and IEEE UT Student Branch members Brittnee Robinson, Chris Zhang, and Dianne Bull for taking time Saturday to join me in volunteering for the Tennessee Science Bowl at Pellissippi State. It was a great opportunity to see enthusiastic high school students interested in science. IEEE was a sponsor of the event and was listed as such in their literature and on the T-shirts. Each student received IEEE literature about engineering and engineering careers in their backpacks. Maybe this experience will motivate them to pursue engineering in college and eventually become members of IEEE.

This event offered an opportunity for the IEEE East Tennessee Section to contribute to and recognize National Engineers Week (Feb. 17-23, 2008). I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Terry Kurtz

IEEE East Tennessee Section Chair

UT IEEE Student Branch Seeking Help from Recent Graduate IEEE Members

The IEEE chapter at the University of Tennessee is currently planning a career workshop tentatively scheduled for the night of February 18th. We are seeking recent graduates who can help our members prepare for career fairs and interviews. No previous experience with interviewing or human resources is necessary to volunteer. We are merely seeking people who have been through the hiring process and who are willing to share their experiences with our members.

Over the course of the night you will be paired up with several students. You will get to have a mock interview with each of your students, and you will have an opportunity to critique their responses. That night you will also get to critique the students resumes and provide suggestions. Our chapter will be providing free food and drink during the event. If you need to leave early or arrive late that is perfectly acceptable; we will accept any help that you can give.

Also, if your company is looking to hire students or recent graduates, our chapter is a great place to recruit. We have some of the best and brightest young engineers in the state. We welcome any companies who are currently recruiting.

Lastly, our chapter is seeking financial sponsorship for this and future events. If you think your company can help, please contact me. Any company who has staff volunteer or who provides funding will be recognized at the event for their generous help.

Thank you in advance, and please contact me if you have any questions.

Regards,
Nick Jones
IEEE Vice Chair, University of TN Student Branch

njones11@eecs.utk.edu
(931)409-3928

If I am unavailable, please contact:
Brittnee Robinson
IEEE Chair, University of TN Student Branch

brobins8@utk.edu
(256)426-4816