This blog post includes all of the activities that have been completed so far for Step 1. The Activities in order are the job search, my two job listings and the job ad analysis.

 

 

1. Job Search Activity

 

 

1. Previous Work Experience   Position Title: Engineering and Construction Co-Op Engineer
Company: Duke Energy
Location: Cayuga, IN
Supervisor: Mark Davis
Dates of Employment: 5/2007-8/2007, 1/2008-present
Job Responsibilities: Capital work for mechanical and electrical systems.

 

Position Title: Technical Services Co-Op Engineer
Company: Duke Energy
Location:

 

Terre Haute , IN
Supervisor: John Walker
Dates of Employment: 1/2006-5/2006, 8/2006-1/2007
Job Responsibilities: Oil sampling program, pump testing, equipment balancing, and equipment diagnosis.  

 

Position Title: Supervisor
Company: Sharp Lawns
Location: Mooresville, IN
Supervisor: Jim Sharp
Dates of Employment: 5/2004-8/2004
Job Responsibilities: Mow grass, landscape, plan daily route and manage employees.

 

2. Worked for the

United Wayand got a group together at my high school to volunteer for cleaning up storm damage in a neighboring town. I haven’t been able to volunteer in college, but I have always been a member of Habitat for Humanity.

 

3. My Co-Op experience is above.

 

4. My thermodynamics courses have been the most beneficial to me. They were MET220 and MET320. They have helped me understand how systems are used and how the equipment I work with works.  

 

5. I receive $1500 a year from the UAW. It is a scholarship that I applied for freshman year and have gotten every since.

 

6. A skill that I think I rise above the ordinary is that I pick up new concepts and skills easily with little direction. In school I can pick up new concepts quickly which helps me understand the more complex concepts. I like to learn using my hands and not just simply being shown. I’ve always enjoyed taking things apart and figuring out how they work. I am also an independent worker and self starter. I can stay on schedule and get work done.

 

7. I do not speak more than one language, but I had Spanish classes in high school.  

 

8. I have some experience with computers, but I usually ask for help on them. I can use word, excel, and visual basic well. I also have had experience with IronCad.

 

9. I can use any hand tool I need for the job. I can weld, machine, and solder.

 

2. My two Job Listings

Job ad #1

 

Employer:

 

Ryan Fireprotection, Inc.

 

Division: N/A

 

Title: Fire Protection Intern

 

Description:

 

At Ryan Fireprotection we have been developing the highest-quality, custom fire protection systems since 1989. Our customers represent some of the largest and most well-known businesses and organizations in healthcare, education, manufacturing and distribution. We work hard to develop lasting relationships with our customers to become a true partner in providing safe working and living environments.

 

At Ryan we:
- Custom design new construction or retrofit fire protection systems
- Manufacture all systems in our modern in-house fabrication facility
- Install systems according to all required specifications, codes, and insurance company requirements
- Maintain and inspect systems to ensure proper working order and compliance with required building and fire codes

 

Working through a paid summer internship training program, the intern receives orientation and experience in all aspects of fire sprinkler system fabrication and design. This training is designed to prepare candidates for possible future design/project management positions with the Company.

 

We are looking for current college students who have an interest in exploring the specialty contractor niche of the construction industry.

 

We demand intelligence, reliability, and the personal ambition to learn and grow.

 

Duties:

 

-Introduction to the fire sprinkler system fabrication process - hands-on experience in the entire fabrication process of the sprinkler system. Additionally, orientation to purchasing and field supervision. Responsibilities may include raw material selection and evaluation, product flow analysis, troubleshooting, quality control, receiving and storing materials and supplies, and coordination of materials and supplies to job sites.

 

- Introduction to the fire sprinkler system design/project management process. Additionally, orientation to company operations and safety. Responsibilities may include the performance of a variety of duties associated with the estimating, planning, location, design, construction, and management of fire sprinkler system projects.

 

Job Qualifications

 

- AutoCAD experience
- Two years of enrollment in an accredited degree program in an engineering or construction technology/management discipline
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and an all around attention to detail.
- Mechanical aptitude and computer literate

 

Position is located in Noblesville, IN. Local candidates only, temporary relocation assistance is not available.

 

 

Job Ad #2

 

Employer: Hoosier Energy REC, Inc.

 

 Division:  N/A

 

 Title: Power Plant Engineer/Engineering Technology Interns

 

 Description:  

 

Power Plant Engineer / Engineering Technology InternsHoosier Energy, RECMerom Generating Station, Sullivan, IndianaHoosier Energy, REC, an electric power generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana is seeking applicants for internship opportunities at its Merom Generating Station located near

Sullivan, Indiana .  Hoosier Energy seeks applicants for opportunities during both the fall 2008, and spring 2009 semesters.  Students who have completed at least the sophomore year of study in the fields of mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering or engineering technology will be considered.  Applicants should possess strong skills with computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.  Familiarity with CADD programs and/or project management applications such as Microsoft Project would be advantageous.Interns will work under the direction of outage planners, plant engineers, or supervisors to assist in planning and oversight of power plant capital improvement and overhaul maintenance activities to be performed during planned major outages (scheduled shutdowns) at the Merom Generating Station.  Under supervision, interns will monitor outage construction and maintenance projects to assure work is done in a safe and efficient manner consistent with industry quality standards.  Interns will also assist with tracking project progress and costs compared to schedules and budgets and participate in equipment inspection and assessment activities performed during the unit shutdown.Internship with the outage management department will offer students opportunities to gain direct experience related to the design, operations, and maintenance of large scale modern coal-fired power plants.  Interns will have the opportunity to work with steam generators (boilers), various types of heat exchangers, pollution control systems, steam turbines, generators, and other rotating equipment.To be considered, please submit a cover letter and resume either by regular mail or via e-mail in Microsoft Word format to the following address:Hoosier Energy, RECP.O.

Box 908Bloomington, IN 47402-0908Attention: Linda e-mail at resume@hepn.com

 

 

 

Position Type:  Internship / Co-op, Fall, Spring, Paid

 

 Desired Major(s):

 

 Engineering Related Majors/Chemical Engineering, Engineering Related Majors/Civil Engineering, Engineering Related Majors/Mechanical Engineering

 

 Job Function: Engineering

 

 Approximate Hours Per Week: 40

 

 Travel Percentage: < 20 % travel

 

3.      Job Ad Analysis

 

Reflection

 

 

 

1. Why did you choose this job ad? Do you feel that you are qualified for the position?

 

 

 

I feel that I am qualified for this job by working for Duke Energy as a engineering Co-Op for over a year and six months. I enjoy working at a power plant due to the vast challenges that are presented with many different types of machinery that must be updated and maintained.

 

 

 

2. How long has the ad been posted? If it has been posted for a long period of time, are you sure that the position is still available? How?

 

 

 

            The ad was posted on January 9, 2008.

 

 

 

3. Where is the company located? Are you willing to move if it is out of state or in a foreign country?

 

 

 

           

Sullivan, IN

 

 

 

4. Why is living in the area that the company is located appealing to you?

 

 

 

I enjoy living in southern

Indiana due to the scenery and amount of work I can find. There is plenty of rural areas to live in and I have heard the schools in the area are nice.

 

 

 

Job Ad Analysis

 

 

 

1. What skills is your prospective employer seeking, from most important to least important?

 

             Microsoft Office

 

             CAD program experience

 

              

 

2. What exceptional skills do you have that prove you to be invaluable to this company or organization? Remember that your resume is not a record of what you’ve done, but a persuasive document that proves indisputably that you are the best person for the job.

 

             Experience with a steam powered power plant

 

             O & M and Capital Experience

 

             Experienced three major outages

 

 

 

3. As an exercise, list the skills, professional experience, personality traits, etc., the job ad is asking for in the left column, and in the right, write paragraphs that elaborate on and illustrate your skills, experience, etc.

 

            Planning and oversight during outages.

 

 

 

I have planned and watched over three major outages at two different power plants during my time with Duke Energy. During this time I have learned a lot about machinery and project management.

 

            To assure work is done in a safe and efficient manner consistent with industry quality standards. I have had an exemplary safety record during my work sessions and have learned to do work in a safe manner while being efficient as possible.

 

 

 

History of the Company / Organization

 

 1. Did you know anything about the company before you saw the job ad?

 

             As a competitor of Duke Energy I did know of the station, but know nothing about it.

 

 

 

2. Does the company have a website? What is the URL?

 

             http://www.hepn.com/

 

 

 

3. What is the mission statement of the company?

 

            To provide member distribution systems with assured, reliable and competitively priced energy and services in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner.

 

 

 

4. What are keywords on the website that you can use in your cover letter and interview?

 

             Safety,

Opportunity , leadership

 

 

 

5. Write a few sentences about the history of the company. Remember that it is essential for you to learn as much about the company as possible; you can use such knowledge for your cover letter and interview.

 

            Hoosier Energy generates and transmits electricity to nearly 700,000 residents, businesses, industries, and farms. The Merom Generating Station was put into service in 1982 to meet the growing demand for electricity in the area. After about a quarter of a billion dollars worth in environmental projects the plant meets all Clean Air Act standards.  

 

 

 

6. Based on your research, what is your personal sense about the company? What do you feel the company values?

 

            I believe the company strives to meet all environmental standards even with a large cost to the company. I also believe the company tries to provide reliable and cheap electricity for the consumer.

 

 

 

7. Does Purdue’s Center for Career Opportunities have a networking system with this company?

 

             No

 

 

 

8. Do you have any personal connections to this company? Do you know anyone who works there? Does anyone in your family or friends of your family work there?

 

             No