May 13, 2020

Engineering graduate Matthew Martin

Engineering graduate Celestene Sebag

Celestene Sebag, a senior in the Department of Biomedical, Biological and Chemical Engineering, knows that when entering the workforce, one doesn’t stop learning.

“Professional development is important to help build up your transferable skills,” Sebag said. “Participating in company information sessions helped me practice how I interact with professionals, but on a more informal, casual level.”

These company information sessions are part of what the Engineering Leadership, Engagement and Career Development Academy offers to support all Engineering students. There are no added fees to participate in its activities, and all Engineering students in good standing can participate.

The Academy offers a way for students to show employers that they are potential leaders for their organizations through earning the Dean’s Certificate in Leadership and Engagement.

Matthew Martin, a senior in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, credits the Academy’s career services in helping him get an internship.

“The resume reviews and career fairs in particular were super helpful in refining my career readiness and getting me in contact with employers,” Martin said. “I landed my first internship as a direct result of getting my resume reviewed and attending a career fair.”

Martin gives extra praise for the career fair and how that event helped him grow personally.

“I was on the executive committee to run the (Career) Fair as a student one semester, and it was an incredible leadership experience.”

Sebag also credits the Academy’s resume review and mock interview services for being great resources.

“I knew I could pop in at any time at the Leadership Academy and ask a question about how to communicate with an employer, or how to make my application stand out the most with a cover letter,” Sebag said.

She also credits the College for teaching her working together with others, the importance of a good work ethic and problem-solving skills that will help her in her career.

“I’ve learned what work environments I work best in, how I like to be managed, my strengths and weaknesses – all of which are important to know for my career,” Sebag said.

Martin and Sebag are two of seven College of Engineering Spring 2020 graduates who earned the Dean’s Certificate. The additional five graduates are:

• Carmel Braga – Information Technology
• Josh Nickell – Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Noriko Okamoto – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Haley Samson – Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Justin Yarbrough – Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering