Graduates from the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science have specialized technical skills in sought-after fields. To give students an even greater advantage, the Jonsson School makes a concerted effort to develop their soft, or professional, skills. The U.S. Department of Labor identifies soft skills as skills that provide a competitive edge in the workplace, including professionalism, oral and written communication, teamwork and collaboration and critical thinking or problem-solving.
“We have about 7,000 undergraduates in our school, and we want to make sure everyone is prepared to be successful in their next endeavor — work, or graduate or professional school, etc.,” said Dr. Stephanie G. Adams, Jonsson School dean, holder of the Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair and professor of systems engineering. “Professional skills are something we all continue to develop, including faculty and staff, but our students’ early investment in their own professional development will pay dividends for years to come.”
Jonsson School Career Services recently launched ECS3, an incentive program that encourages students to participate in a series of professional development opportunities in three tiers. Those in the first novice tier attend a series of professional development events focused on resume development, networking and preparation for interviews. Those in the second intermediate tier extend their involvement through a professional student organization, which usually requires a substantial investment of their time. Those in the third advanced tier participate in the events and the student professional organization in addition to securing an internship. Students who successfully completed one of the three tiers in the fall of 2023 were invited to the Jonsson School’s first-ever Etiquette Dinner.
Participants donned business professional attire and socialized at a mocktail hour, then practiced their dinner etiquette with the help of a professional etiquette coach as they enjoyed a three-course meal served at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center.
Lacey Henderson, director of Jonsson School Career Services, said, “The ECS3 Program helps to develop soft skills through professional development. Students learn how to demonstrate professional behavior, articulate their career goals and identify the steps to obtain internship opportunities. The focus is on educating and preparing students to gain the skills necessary for career success.”
Etiquette consultant Felicia Leyani from the National School of Etiquette & Protocol provided specific guidance about business etiquette, including the differences between Continental- style and American-style dining.
“Start from the outside and work your way in,” Felicia Leyani of the National School of Etiquette and Protocol instructed students, faculty and staff. Leyani has experience teaching etiquette to individuals of all ages, from middle school to professional adults.
At the novice level, students complete the ECS3 Orientation, a Career Fair Crash Course, the Linkedin Branding Workshop, The Blueprint to a Successful Resume, Networking 101, Interview Etiquette Session and Professional Behavior and Beyond. They also attend at least one career fair before the etiquette dinner. From left to right: Dean Stephanie G. Adams; Jeanette Kaldawi, computer engineering major; Daisy Gan, computer science major; Nico San Esteban, computer science major; Lawrence Ho, computer science major and Lucy Song, doctoral computer science student; and Lacey Henderson director of Jonsson School Career Services.
At the intermediate level, students complete all the previous level’s requirements, plus attend two or more career-related activities and are active members of a student organization. From top left to top right, then from bottom left to bottom right, Sameeraa Kandalgaonkar, computer science major; Lerich Osay, computer science major; Ugonna Anyalemechi, computer engineering major; Shruti Gupta, computer science major; second row: Adams; Anu Manjesh, computer science major; Abirami Uthayachandran, mechanical engineering major; Evelyn Tran, computer science major; Ethan Reese, computer science major; Jose Vanegas, mechanical engineering major; Yishal Varma Kovoru, computer science major; and Henderson.
The advanced level includes all the previous requirements plus obtaining an internship. Adams (far left) and Henderson (far right) recognized three students who achieved this level. Pooja Ganapathy (second from left), computer science major, received an offer from JPMorgan Chase as a software engineer. Savyasachi Gupta, computer science graduate student, interned at Paycom over the summer and now is at HubSpot completing an internship. Finally, Ujwal Shah, a computer science graduate student, was one of only 11 individuals from the Department of Computer Science to receive a scholarship to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration in 2023.
Our staff members have a significant impact on students’ academic and career success. Adams (left) congratulated staff who were nominated for awards (left to right): Lacey Henderson, director of Jonsson School Career Services; Ashfia Salemin, business manager for the Office of Campus Resources and Support; Lauren Monreal, finance operations coordinator in mechanical engineering; Maria Simplicio, computer science business administrator; Meghan Todora, Jonsson School Career Coach II, and Norma Richardson, computer science business manager.
Participants including faculty and staff enjoyed mocktails as they practiced networking and making conversation.
Shaunte Alvarez-Minor (left), director of graduate recruitment and student success, looked on the festivities with Dean Stephanie G. Adams (center). Alvarez-Minor is currently focused on domestic student recruitment efforts in the Jonsson School.
Dr. Stephen Crynes, assistant dean of student success, emphasized the importance of the professional development program and recognized Lacey Henderson for her hard work to launch the program during her first year.
Jonsson School Student Council President Devin Schwartz, computer science and political science major, addressed the audience. Schwartz encourages peers to become actively involved in student organizations.
Adams (left) and Henderson (right) recognized faculty who have had the most significant impact on students’ academic and career success. Honored faculty second from left to second from right include Dr. Andrea Fumagalli, professor of electrical and computer engineering; Dr. Benjamin Carrion Schaefer assistant dean for graduate student success and, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering; Dr. Hongbing Lu, professor of mechanical engineering; John Cole, professor of instruction, computer science; Dr. Mohammed Ali, associate professor of instruction, electrical and computer engineering; Dr. Randall Lehmann, professor of instruction, electrical and computer engineering; Dr. Yi Zhao, assistant professor of instruction, computer science; Dr. Tooraj Nikoubin, professor of instruction, electrical and computer engineering; and Dr. Yonas Tadesse, associate professor, mechanical engineering.
