Local and National Employer Site Visits

Megan Rivera, Senior Career CounselorMeaghan VanderSanden, Corporate and Foundation Relations, University of Minnesota Foundation

Agenda

• Overview and Background of Site Visits• Goals and Objectives• Types and History of Site Visits • Phase 1: Planning• Phase 2: Execution• Phase 3: Evaluation• Recommendations

Overview and Background of the Employer Site Visit

ProgramThe Career Center for Science and Engineering partners with organizations to offer Employer Site Visits for current students.

Through the Site Visit program employer partners host a group of science and engineering students at their organization for a tour and a brief presentation.

Site Visits are a great way for employers and students to connect. The visits provide students with career-related information about an organization and give employers a chance to discuss the types of career paths available in their organization.

Types of Site Visits

• First-Year Experience Site Visit for CSE 1001

• Local Site Visits (Spring Break)

• National Site Visit Program

History of CCSE Site Visits: Local

Local Employer Site Visits

General Mills (Fall 2011)

Ecolab (Fall 2012)

Beckman Coulter (Spring 2013)

Mayo Clinic (Spring 2013)

Donaldson Corporation (Spring 2013)

History of CCSE Site Visits: National

National Employer Site Visits

Houston, Texas (Jan 2011): Schlumberger, ExxonMobil, URS Corporation, CenterPoint Energy, NASA Johnson Space Center

Seattle, Washington (Jan 2012): Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing Corporation

San Francisco, California (Jan 2013): Sanovas, Cytograft, Medtronic, Penumbra

Goals and Objectives of Employer Site Visits

• Provide an opportunity for CBS and CSE students to see a work environment, experience an organization culture, learn about STEM career opportunities, and network with professionals

• Expose students to a variety of career paths for science or engineering graduates while hearing advice directly from employers on how to prepare for future careers.

• Continue to build employer relations with corporations that partner with CCSE helping them connect with talented students while building awareness for their organization

• Create a networking opportunity for current students, professionals, and alumni

Marketing• GoldPASS• Student news emails• Academic Advisors and

Collegiate Life• Posters• Information Sessions (national)• Faculty and Academic

Departments

Phase 1: Planning• Selecting Employer Sites and

Timeline• Partners in planning: Corporate

Relations, Alumni Relations, Student Services, Faculty

• Student Application and Preparation• Logistics and funding

Selecting Employer Sites

• Consider industry areas, majors served, company type (large/small, gov/profit, etc.)

• Review partner employers who show interest in broader engagement and have shown commitment to helping CBS and CSE students

• Consult with Corporate Relations and/or Administration on broader relationship building strategies for the college – where there is overlap

• Consider alumni involvement and representation at employers –will there be opportunities for students to network?

Partners in Planning

• Career Counselors and Employer Relations

• Corporate Relations• Alumni Relations• Student Services and Academic

Advising• Faculty/Associate Dean

Student Application and Preparation: Local

• Sign up via GoldPASS• Communication and preparation via

email• Expectations: professionalism

Student Application and

Preparation: National• In addition to basic information and resume, answer the

following essay questions in 2-3 pages. Provide detail and your thoughts on why you would like to participate in this program.

1) How does this trip align with your career goals and career development plans? In particular, the focus of this trip is on medical technology related organizations, explain how this area fits your interest and career plans.

2) Why do you think the Employer Site Visit program would be a valuable professional experience for you during your time at the University of Minnesota?

3) If you participate in the Employer Site Visits to San Francisco Bay Area what are three goals you have for the visit?

4) After the trip, how do you plan to share your experience and what you’ve learned with other students?

Student Application and

Preparation: National• Applications reviewed by committee• Verified in good academic standing• Students were notified via email

o Participant Agreement formoContact Info/Emergency Contact Info

• Held drops in hoursoCollect forms, payment, answer questionso Provided resume feedback; set

expectations

Student Application and

Preparation: National• Collected final resume and

student bio to sent to the employers in advance

• Divided students into research groups

• Gave students the choice of roommates

Student Application and

Preparation: NationalPrep session Agenda•Introductions and Pizza•Logistics•Purpose of our Employer Site Visit•Networking•Speed Networking•Company Research•Resumes and Business Cards•Professionalism•Expectations

Funding and ExpensesFunding Models

•Corporate Sponsorship•Revenue from Career Events•Student Participation Fee

Phase 2: ExecutionSample Agenda for First-Year Experience Site Visit

(Local)

Ecolab Site Visit – Fall 201212:00pm-12:30pm -  lunch and Ecolab overview from HR

Team12:30pm-2:00pm  - Panel Presentation/Speakers

Chemical Engineer - Nicole Delaney Food & BeverageSr. Chemist - Jesse Hines, Food & BeverageSr. Mechanical Eng – Kevin Wuebben, Dispensing Systems EngineeringElectrical Eng – TBD, Dispensing Systems Engineering

2:00pm-3:00pm - R&D Tour

Sample National Site Visit Agenda

Houston, Texas (Jan 2011)Monday, January 107:00 a.m. Flight 10:05 a.m. Arrive in Houston, Texas – Bush Intercontinental Airport11:30 Lunch with Houston area Alumni at Mamacitas Mexican Restaurant hosted by CSE External Relations1:30-5:00 NASA, Johnson Space Center7:00 p.m. Dinner with CSE Alum, Jeff Gorski (Schlumberger Executive and Schlumberger Employees) atGringo’s Mexican Kitchen

Tuesday, January 118:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Schlumberger Technology Center (lunch with Schlumberger)1:45 - 4:00 p.m. URS Corporation5:15-7:30 p.m. CSE Alumni and Student Reception at Baba Yega Restaurant

Wednesday, January 128:00 -11:00 a.m. Center Point EnergyLunch on the Go!12:30-3:30 ExxonMobil6:05 p.m. Flight To Minneapolis

Phase 3: Evaluation

• Student Evaluation sent out via email

• Asked to include a testimonial (national)

• Reflection Session (national)

Phase 3: EvaluationSTUDENT FEEDBACKThe corporate site visits were a great way to see how science and engineering are applied in a real world industrial setting. This trip also helped me expand my horizon of possibilities beyond my major. I would recommend this trip to anyone who may be looking to leave the Upper Midwest, or for anyone who is uncertain about their future career aspirations. (Houston Participant)

The entire trip was very well organized. Each site visit is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get an inside look at how each company functions on a daily basis. You are also given opportunities to meet with many different people at the various companies you visit. This is a great way to expand your professional network and to ask questions in a face to face setting. Overall, the trip can really help a student prepare for a career in engineering. (Seattle Participant)

It was awesome to see how people were applying the knowledge associated with their degrees. Exploring the different work environments was also interesting. (General Mill participant)

The San Francisco Site visit provided us with the opportunity to interact in a professional manner with employers who explained how to stand out in a market that initially seems overwhelming. It was a chance to reflect on our goals and values and determine where they align in the job market so that we will be successful and happy about our decisions after graduation. (San Francisco participant)

Phase 3: EvaluationReflection Session and Lunch

1) What are three important ideas you took away from the employer site visit?2) What are one or two follow up goal(s) related to the employer site visit you hope to complete this semester?3) What did you learn about networking? What advice would you give to others based on your experience? 4) Why do you think an Employer Site Visit is a good way to explore careers?5) How will you specifically share your experience with other students? How can we spread the word about this valuable opportunity? (please share as many ideas as you have)

Recommendations

From the employer side:•Secure support and buy-in from Leadership and partnering units•Engage employers who are interested and excited about hosting students•Consider a theme (i.e. medical device)•Include Alumni components•Research the best timing for employer participants•2-3 hours is ideal period of time per visit•Suggest companies specifically speak about jobs/internships and the recruiting process

RecommendationsFrom the student side:

•Research the best timing for students – Check with Academic Advisors

•Prepare students and set expectations•Prepare students for networking•National: meet with each student individually•Utilize the time on the bus to make announcements and process•National: give students (a little) free time •National: host a reflection session

Questions?Megan Rivera: mrivera@umn.eduMeaghan VanderSanden: meaghanv@umn.edu