Forget Monster, Check Out techjobs.uci.edu

More than 750 engineering and information and computer science students turned out for the TechJobs kick-off hosted by Samueli School Dean Gregory Washington and Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences Dean Hal Stern. Attendees were treated to a barbecue, received branded water bottles and heard job tips from corporate representatives.

Launched in early April, techjobs.uci.edu is a new website designed to connect high-tech companies to students in the engineering and ICS schools. The site will post full- and part-time jobs and internships, and it is designed so that employers have the ability to search the database for a specific skill set, connecting companies to students who match their needs.

Dean Washington explained to the crowd that global competition for jobs is tougher than ever. “Our goal with TechJobs is to get all of you registered so you can be connected to the opportunities that are out there,” he said. “There are 1,600 companies in and around Orange County looking for high-tech talent. This website is better than Monster, because it works more like a match maker.”

Dean Stern announced that the first 300 students who create a profile on techjobs.uci.edu by April 26 will be entered twice in an opportunity drawing to win a MacBook Air or an iPad. “The website is up and running. We need all of you to create a profile,” he said.

Colleen O’Higgins, director of corporate relations for both schools, said the new site already has more than 75 profiles and 20 companies. “We are hoping to reach 600 profiles by the end of the month, and then we’ll do a major outreach to corporations asking them to sign up as Corporate Partners.”

At the kick-off event, Delphi Display Systems President Ken Neeld told students to “build networking skills and be familiar with current industry tools and trends so you can speak the same language.” Broadcom Corporation’s Betty Chan, university recruiter, reminded students to include their GPA and contact information on their resumes. And Blizzard Entertainment’s Janine Tedford, university relations, shared with students that Blizzard’s recruiters love cover letters. “Focus on what you can bring to the company, and show your passion. If you get an interview, know your audience. Research the company and learn everything you can about the job.  And please, if we tell you to dress casually, follow instructions.”

Dave Goff, CIO at Emulex, said that his company was looking for earnest and genuine people with an affinity for continuous learning and improvement. “We hire people who can work as a team and are willing to share knowledge.”

The kick-off concluded with some entertainment by the B-Boys Anonymous dance crew, prompting Dean Washington to join in and show off some moves.

To learn more about employment and internship opportunities, visit www.techjobs.uci.edu.