Mason's Computing Career Reception connects CS, IST majors with tech industry

Teresa Donnellan — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 13:11:36 +0000

Mason's Computing Career Reception connects CS, IST majors with tech industry Teresa Donnellan Tue, 03/14/2023 - 09:11

In This Story

In collaboration with the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, the Northern Virginia Technology Council, and Break Through Tech DC, George Mason University's College of Engineering and Computing and Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA) hosted a Computing Career Reception following the university-wide career fair on February 22.

Juniors and seniors majoring in computer science and information sciences and technology were invited to network with tech industry representatives from companies such as Appian, Brillient, and Verisign. Students and professionals networked throughout the evening, discussing areas of interest and possible fields to explore further. Christopher Chay, a junior earning a BS in computer science, discussed his interest in artificial intelligence with people from Brillient and Booz Allen Hamilton.

"It was a great experience to talk to recruiters and employers and see the kind of work they did and find any deficiencies in my knowledge and personal experience," says Chay. He adds, "I appreciated the much smaller and quieter atmosphere, as opposed to the larger STEM fair."

"I appreciated the much smaller and quieter atmosphere, as opposed to the larger STEM fair." —Christopher Chay, junior majoring in computer science

The Computing Career Reception was the first computing-specific career event at Mason, and its success has encouraged event organizers to plan future topic-oriented career receptions. "This year the event was held at the Center for the Arts on Mason's Fairfax Campus, but as we build our presence in Arlington, we hope to host events like this at Mason Square," said IDIA executive director Kammy Sanghera.

The Fairfax County EDA was proud to facilitate a potential employment pipeline for local tech talent. "The students at George Mason University are doing incredible work, and it's a privilege to be able to connect them with Fairfax County businesses that will give them opportunities to continue doing that caliber of work post-graduation," said Michael Batt, vice president, Talent.

Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) recognized the event as an opportunity to further strengthen northern Virginia's reputation as a hub of innovation. Jennifer Taylor, President and CEO of NVTC, suggested that connecting students with industry members at networking events like this is an important part of expanding the level of innovation that Virginia is known for. "Students are learning the important skills they need to be successful in innovation-related fields and will become a critical part of the industry after college. We help to make these connections now so students can see what is possible in the region," said Taylor.

Students attending the Computing Career Reception, Feb 2023

Part of the IDIA's mission is to facilitate these connections between students and industry. "The IDIA is proud to sponsor events that allow students to connect with industry members. Our students are engaged in cutting-edge research and work that will teach them the skills necessary to thrive in innovation-related careers," said Sanghera. "Connecting our Mason campus with industry members from Fairfax County and beyond is part of our mission and creates not only important opportunities for collaborations and industry growth but opportunities for employment after graduation."

Topics

computer science

information sciences and technology

Career Services

Institute for Digital InnovAtion (IDIA)

Workforce Development

Campus News

DOIL's second annual BLAST Off Week highlights resources, progress

Tama Moni — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 17:55:15 +0000

DOIL's second annual BLAST Off Week highlights resources, progress Tama Moni Mon, 10/03/2022 - 13:55

Each day of the second annual BLAST Off Week, hosted by the College of Engineering and Computing’s Office of Diversity, Outreach, and Inclusive Learning (CEC DOIL), focused on a different theme: Belonging, Leadership, Access, Success, and Trailblazing. The week’s events featured resources available to CEC students.

DOIL Diversity Associate Mercadi Crawford notes one change from last year: “’T’ last year stood for ‘transformation,’ and so that was us just starting the office; that was us trying to figure out what we wanted CEDRIC to look like [and] what we wanted BLAST Off events to look like. This year, we did ‘trailblazing,’ because we couldn’t have done any of that [transformation] without a certain amount of people that helped us. We wanted to make sure that they received the award.”

CEDRIC, the Computing and Engineering Diversity Resource Information Center, has a new location on the second floor of the Nguyen building, Office ENGR 2800, and was the location of the inaugural Trailblazers Awards ceremony.

Chris Carr, Associate Dean for Diversity, Outreach, and Inclusive learning serves food to students at the Career Prep Simulation Lab. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services/George Mason University

Crawford adds the awardees were “people who were with us when we only had one staff member when it was only Dr. Carr [CEC’s Associate Dean for Diversity, Outreach, and Inclusive Learning & Chief Diversity Officer] trying to do events and do things for all the students here in the building.” Even now, after the addition of Crawford and Christi Wilcox to DOIL, Crawford says, “These [awardees] are still people that we reach out to: we had faculty...willing to help us get our curriculum together; we had staff...willing to help us get our spaces...and reach out to our students. We thought that it was very important for them to be recognized because they could see our vision back when we couldn't see it. They really did set the trail for what we are going to become.”

For CEC students at large, BLAST Off Week culminated in Thursday’s career preparation event, which featured professional hair and makeup services, free professional clothing, and resume and application workshops. This year’s BLAST Off Week events took place from September 19 to September 23. There was a noticeably bigger crowd this year, which Crawford attributes not only to reduced Covid-19—related fears but also to the participation of partner sponsor CACI and to greater marketing efforts prior to the event.

“We were just excited about how many students were excited about it,” says Crawford.

BLAST Off week’s events were as follows:

BELONGING
At an ice cream social on Monday, hosted by DOIL in partnership with Undergraduate Student Services, students could chat with representatives from student and university organizations, who promoted their mission, values, and resources at tables on the lawn.

LEADERSHIP
On Tuesday, students learned how to navigate their academic journey and transition to the workplace at a CACI Leadership Panel in the Johnson Center.

ACCESS
Resource fairs on Wednesday for students and staff highlighted where students could find support when applying to fellowships, graduate schools, research funding, and chances to study abroad.

SUCCESS
Thursday featured career prep resources, including barbers, professional makeup artists, and a professional attire closet in addition to career workshops on building resumes, creating professional correspondences, establishing a professional profile, and applying for jobs.

TRAILBLAZING
Eight people and two corporate partners of DOIL received Trailblazers Awards, which recognize those who have demonstrated excellence in maintaining a socially conscious STEM environment. Award recipients include Assistant Professor of Statistics Jonathan Auerbach, PhD Candidate in Information Technology Dominique Calder, undergraduate software engineering student Natnael Haile, Information Technology Specialist Larry Jackson, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering Leigh McCue, Director of Teaching Excellence with the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning E. Shelly Reid, CEC Operations Manager Joyce Rose, Executive Director of Mason’s Institute for Digital InnovAtion Kamaljeet Sanghera, Bechtel, and CACI.

Topics

Blast Off Week

College Students

Diversity and Inclusive Learning

Career Services