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Each year, the Partners in the Evansville Experience (PIEE) organize events to build the career potential of students and allow them to network with alumni from the Evansville area and beyond. In the last 24 months, alumni and friends provided over 200 campus-related PIEE opportunities to assist students with their professional development. Career DevelopmentMentoringStudent Organization Career Forums/Networking Events
Internships and Co-opsAn internship is a learning experience, paid or unpaid, part time or full time, usually one semester in length, consisting of substantive and supervised work that complements a student’s academic program. InternshipsInternships are an important step in building career success. For example, Amanda Jo Stanley, a mass communication major with a minor in business administration, worked as a corporate communications intern at Vectren. As a result of her internship experience, Amanda has gained many professional skills. She has improved her writing abilities, has become comfortable using various types of professional software including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, has developed valuable time management skills, and has learned how to work independently to solve problems. When asked if this internship helped her shape her career goals, the answer was a resounding yes. “I now understand what I can do with a degree in communication. I worked with six people who have communication degrees, all of them with different job descriptions. I have a better understanding of my strengths and how I will fit into a communication career.” Co-ops “I have developed important professional habits, attended office team meetings, and practiced team communication skills.”— Pemba Sherpa, Co-op experience participantAn example of Co-op success comes from Pemba Sherpa, a junior majoring in electrical engineering. As an international student, Pemba discovered that seeking a co-op job and adjusting to the U.S. style of interviewing represented a big challenge. Pemba visited the career services office to talk about improving his interviewing techniques. After several meetings, mock interviews, and the Experiential Education 090 course, Pemba felt more confident. Atlas World Group had an opening, and he was granted an initial interview. After three interviews, Pemba secured a co-op position in computer programming during the summer of 2006. He now works part time in the fall and spring and full time in the summer. As a result of his co-op position, he said “my knowledge of U.S. business expectations has greatly improved. I have developed important professional habits, attended office team meetings, and practiced team communication skills.” Learn more about internship and Co-op program though Career Services and Cooperative Education website. Student-Alumni Mentoring Program “My mentor was able to provide contacts through which I could accomplish my goals”— Student Participant The Student-Alumni mentoring program provides insight into career opportunities through students' interaction with alumni, promotes student leadership and encourage experiential education involvement and offers contacts and networking opportunities in the students' fields of interest. Learn more about the mentoring program. Mentor Speaker Luncheon SeriesAs a collaborative effort between Schroeder Family School of Business Administration and the Offices of Alumni and Parent Relations, Career Services and Cooperative Education, and Residence Life, mentor speakers present important topics to assist students as they develop the skills and knowledge they need to be an effective member of the workforce. The interchange at the luncheons stimulates alumni and students to actively discuss relevant career topics. In 2006-07, luncheon attendance nearly doubled from previous years with an average of over 22 participants per luncheon. The luncheons take place from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in McCurdy Alumni Memorial Union, Room 200 on the following dates:  Neal Stowe '02, gives his presentation on the importance of networking to UE students and alumni. Thursday, October 18, 2007 Thursday, November 15, 2007 Thursday, March 27, 2008 Black Student Union In partnership with the UE African American Alumni Association (UEAAA), Black Student Union holds an annual luncheon in Indianapolis, IN to network and present the Zerah Priestly Carter University of Evansville African American Scholarship. Several local UEAAA members, UE students, and UE’s assistant director of alumni and parent relations took a chartered bus to the event on April 2007. A total of 25 alumni attended the luncheon and students were able to network with alumni in formal and informal settings. At the luncheon, two students were awarded the Zerah Priestly Carter University of Evansville African American Scholarship. Exercise and Sport ScienceIn 2007, five alumni and one PIEE partner returned to campus for the exercise and sport science career forum which was co-sponsored by the ExSS Club and the Offices of Alumni and Parent Relations and Career Services and Cooperative Education. With 38 students in attendance, it was the most successful exercise and sport science forum to date. All the students had the opportunity to develop networks and expand their knowledge of the career opportunities available in the Tri-State area. Don Rodd, ExSS Club faculty sponsor, moderated the discussion and encouraged student questions. Health Services AdministrationThe Health Services Administration (HSA) Club helps students and alumni network to help students explore their interests in heath care administration beyond traditional health care career paths. The first of three new student and alumni connection events took place in November 2006. In collaboration with the HSA Club and several alumni working in health care professions, the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations sponsored a networking trip, luncheon, and tour for eight health services administration students in Indianapolis, Indiana. Students were given an opportunity to explore their career interests outside of the academic environment. The career services staff provided résumé reviews, personalized business cards, and information on effective networking strategies to students participating in this event. Indiana Student Education AssociationIn November 2006, six alumni, two UE friends, and 26 students attended the teacher’s career development forum. A combination of elementary, middle, and high school teachers shared stories about their career paths, provided teaching tips, and answered students’ questions in a panel discussion format. During the luncheon, students listened to a speach by Nate Schnellenberger and then had an opportunity to network and practice business etiquette skills with professional educators. A welcome and unforeseen addition to this year’s forum came from alumna Lori Cates Hand, who is a trade production line manager for JIST Publishing Co. of Indianapolis, Indiana. Lori read about the forum in the alumni e-newsletter and asked her employer, a publisher of career and professional resources, to donate several teaching career related books to be given away as door prizes. Society of History ScholarsExplore the diverse employment opportunities with the Society of History Scholars (SHS) at their annual history career forum. The Society of History Scholars held its first history career forum in April 2007. It was an overwhelming success with five alumni PIEE panelists and over 24 students in attendance. Dan Gahan, chair of the Department of History, acted as moderator for the evening and was one of three faculty members in attendance. A chart was developed for the forum that reflected the career paths of over 100 UE history graduates, highlighting the diverse employment opportunities available to history majors. Society of Women Engineers Amanda Ranck and Cynthia Griffith at the reception following the panel discussion at the SWE career forum. In January 2007, over 78 students attended the engineering career forum where they met 35 PIEE alumni and friends of UE representing 20 organizations in order to gain valuable career advice and strategies for their job search. Each year, the society of Women Engineers co-sponsors the engineering career forum with the College of Engineering and Computer Science, and Alumni and Parent Relations and Career Services and Cooperative Education.
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