Co-op Student Newsletter Fall 2008 Issue

Co-op Student Newsletter
Stay connected to RIT, while gaining experience

Save the Date: Co-op Luncheon Date

Welcome Back lunch for returning co-op students is set for Wednesday, December 10th @ 11:30-1:00pm A190

Making the Most of Your Co-op -- Tip

If you find there is a lull in your workload or things are slow, ask for another project or volunteer to work on a specific project. Look for things that can be improved or tasks that may not be fun to do but are important to the employer – offer to do them. This will make you stand out as a motivated, hard worker who takes initiative.

Fall Co-op Factoids

A total of 957 students are out on co-op this quarter.
Average co-op salary is $16.33
We have students on co-op in 35 different states
Highest salaries found in: District of Columbia, California and New York

Companies Hiring Largest Number of Students

In New York:
Thompson Reuters, Rochester NY -- 21 students
Harris Corp, Rochester NY -- 21 students
Welch Allyn Inc. Skaneateles Falls NY -- 16 students

Out of State:
Savant Systems, Osterville, MA -- 8 students
McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Fort Washington, PA -- 5 students
Digital Receiver Technology, Germantown, Maryland -- 5 students

We have 19 students working abroad in 18 different companies; their average salary is $15.14

Out on Co-op

Abhishek Sharma (right), Telecommunications masters student at Eastman Kodak Co.

Abhishek Sharma
Telecommunications Engineering Technology
2nd Year (Masters Student)
Eastman Kodak Company
Rochester, NY
RF/Wireless Engineer

Brief Description of Your Job and Responsibilities:
I am a Telecom Grad with a focus in Wireless Communication. My Job profile at Kodak matched so well with my interests and I got to work on almost every Wireless technology possible - RFID, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, WUSB, ZigBee... you name it!

What I started with initially was to use RFID in existing Kodak Printers to track parts and also for Media authentication to prevent 3rd party counterfeit. Carrying on with this experience in RFID, I was involved in researching new wireless standards/technologies to incorporate them in existing or future consumer products. Did a lot of brainstorming with different groups within Kodak to understand their requirements and to propose feasible solutions. Of late, I got into a new project which is supposed to be a 'Big Development' in Wireless communication for Kodak, got lucky to grab the attention of our Vice President, Mr. Jeff Hayzlett, who came down to our Lab to see our Prototype Demo after he heard the latest buzzword from other people:). Besides this, I was also required to design Antennas, write firmware/software and give presentations within groups and outside customers. All in all, a very fulfilling experience working with one of the leaders in Imaging - Kodak!!

How did you find your Job?
Spring Career Fair ' 08

Tips or Advice for Students Who Will Co-op for the First Time?
Just do your best and make the most of your short time (I was lucky to work 6 months :) . Be a good listener, while at the same time don't hold back your thoughts/views/suggestions that you feel might benefit the company. Always be confident and thoughtful about what you say and be sure to have something strong to support your theory.

3 months is too short a time to create a solid impression... so make the most of it ‘cuz as they say, 'First impression might be your Last...'

RIT’s Alumni Career Mentor Program – Your Key to Free Career Advice!

This is your opportunity to connect one-on-one with an alumnus/a in your field for advice, insight and motivation on your career.
• Communicate by email, phone, or face-to-face about career goals, course work, strategies for finding a co-op job, discuss the co-op jobs you’ve had, and many other topics.
• Requirements include a commitment of just 2 hours a month for 6 months, and participation in 3 related activities and programs.
• Receive advice and support from someone working in your field, and build your professional network!

Interested? Come to an information session and get details on the program. We’ll tell you what mentoring is all about and why it is a valuable tool for your career development.

We have an information session scheduled for Friday, December 5, from 12-1 pm, in Bausch & Lomb #77-A100. Space is limited; RSVP to ocest1@rit.edu by Friday October 31st (for an interpreter, go to www.ntid.rit.edu/accessservices/ to put in a request). If you will still be on co-op in the winter quarter, but are interested in participating in the Alumni Career Mentor Program, or if you have questions about the program, email Michelle Magee, mamoce@rit.edu, or Kris Stehler, kwsoce@rit.edu.

YouTube and Facebook and Co-op

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19815923371

New “RIT on Co-op” Facebook Group -- Connect with other RIT students who are on co-op! You’ve probably discovered by now that while you’re out on co-op, you learn and experience A LOT! You discover all kinds of new and exciting things about your field, the world of work, and yourself. You face new challenges, learn from mistakes, and maybe even have some funny experiences.

Want a place where you can share your co-op stories, challenges, and tips with other RIT students? Want to know where other students are on co-op and what they’re doing? Check out the RIT on Co-op group (195 members and growing!) on Facebook and get connected!

YouTube
http://youtube.com/user/RITCoopCareer

RIT co-op students have worked all over the world, with large and small companies, collaborating with all types of people and employers love them! We want you, as a current co-op student, to share your experience! RIT's Office of Co-op and Career Services is collecting co-op stories through video clips. You can email your clip to Gretchen at geboce@rit.edu and put “Out on Co-op” in the subject line or give me a call at 475-5462. The videos will appear on our YouTube channel, site, etc. Thanks for considering!

Submit Your Co-op Experience

If you wish to write up something for our Co-op Profiles page -- please include the following:

Name, Major, Year
Company Name:
City, State/ or Country:
Job Title:
Brief description of your job and responsibilities:
How did you find the job?
Tips or advice for students who will co-op for the first time?

Please include a photo of yourself at work if possible.

E-mail to Gretchen Burruto through this Gmail account: gburruto@gmail.com

Thank you!

Planning on Going to Grad School?

Grad School Fair:
Thursday, October 30, 2008
11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Gordon Field House

Over 75 graduate schools represented for ALL majors!! Open to ALL students and alumni from all Rochester area colleges.

Go to the Co-op Office website at www.rit.edu/co-op/careers - click on Students – Upcoming Events, under Graduate School Fair you can get a list of all graduate schools that will be attending and a link to more information. Come talk with the graduate school representatives and learn more about these colleges and their graduate programs!!

To request an interpreter: Please contact Access Services: http://www.ntid.rit.edu/accessservices

Sponsored by RIT Office of Co-op and Career Services and the Rochester Area Career Development Association.

Questions? Please call (585) 475-2301 or 6905 (TTY)

Career Fair

Our Fall Career Fair, September 24th & 25th, was the largest to date with 247 companies attending, more than 500 recruiters and nearly 2300 students. Interview day was also a great success with more than 86 companies staying to conduct 1207 interviews.

If you did not have an opportunity to attend the fall fair there are several coming up in the next few quarters. See the list below. For more details please visit our website www.rit.edu/co-op/careers.

Upcoming Career Fairs:
FEDERAL AND PUBLIC SERVICE CAREER FAIR
January 21, 2009
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

PACKAGING CAREER FAIR
February 2009

HOSPITALITY & SERVICE MGMT CAREER FAIR
March 2009

TEACHER RECRUITMENT DAY
March 2009

SPRING CAREER FAIR 2009
March 26th 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Interviews: March 27, 2009
Gordon Field House
All majors, co-op or full-time candidates!

RACE -- ROCHESTER AREA CAREER EXPO
April 2009

Message from RIT Housing

If you require RIT housing for this upcoming winter quarter, please complete an online housing contract at http://myhousing.rit.edu by October 30, 2008.

If this is your first time on the housing portal, you will need to “Create a Profile” by clicking on the appropriate link. Once your profile is created, multiple contracts and forms will appear in the “Things You Can Do” section of the portal. Click on “Complete an Upperclass, Transfer, Grad Housing Contract”.Information about your winter quarter housing will be emailed to you via your RIT email address one to two weeks prior to winter quarter move-in on November 30th.

If you have any questions regarding the above process, please feel free to contact us at housing@rit.edu or 585-475-2572.

10 Ways to Stretch Your Co-op $$$

With tough economic times upon us everyone is tightening their belts and searching for ways to make their money stretch further. You can do the same while you are on co-op and when you return to campus. Here are some helpful ways to make your money last:

1) Share food expenses with roommates, housemates, friends, co-workers. Buy things in bulk then split it amongst you.
2) Cut back on junk food – it’s expensive and not good for you!
3) Eat in – it’s cheaper to cook than to eat out.
4) Go to a matinee if there is a movie you just have to see.
5) Cut down on purchasing electronics and other expensive toys. When you are about to buy something ask yourself, “do I really need this?”
6) Shop around for the best cell phone plan; negotiate a better plan.
7) Bike, walk or use public transportation to work.
8) Only use a credit card when absolutely necessary. Don’t fall into the credit card trap. Try to only have one card and pay off the balance quickly.
9) Make a budget & track your spending – give yourself an allowance and stick to it. Save something even if it is small amount.
10) Limit or eliminate your vices – they all tend to be expensive.

For more helpful tips on saving money while in college, visit www.youngmoney.com. With any luck, these tips will help you stretch your budget just a little bit further.

The Co-op Kitchen: Or, How To Eat Dirt Cheap On A Budget!

Another fine recipe for that co-op student on the go!!

Fall quarter means the start of football season so here’s a cheap and easy hors d’oeuvre you can serve up to help kick off that weekend game. It’s sure to score points with your friends!

Cracker Quesadillas
You will need:
Cheddar Cheese
24 TRISCUIT Crackers
1/4 cup canned Refried Beans
1/4 cup Chunky Salsa To Prepare:
CUT cheese into slices to fit on the crackers. Top each of 12 of the crackers with 1 teaspoon beans, 1 piece of cheese and 1 teaspoon salsa. Cover with remaining crackers so you have 12 cracker “sandwiches”.
PLACE 12 topped crackers on microwaveable plate. Microwave on HIGH 10 to 15 seconds or until cheese is melted.
**For a variation, add black olive slices and/or sour cream!

In Closing

We are available to help you with any issues or questions you may have related to your co-op -- please don't hesitate to contact us with them. We hope you all have a great experience while you are on co-op this quarter!

Rochester Institute of Technology | Office of Cooperative Education and Career Services | Bausch & Lomb Center | 585.475.2301, 585.475.6905 TTY www.rit.edu/co-op/careers
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