This is the second time ChehalemVIA has participated in the George Fox University Engineering Expo – where international, national and local companies recruit engineers from GFU. Approximately 40 employers and 100 engineering students engaged in a packed Klages Engineering Innovation Center – 16,000 square feet of “maker-space.” The format was:
- 1 minute company “pitches” – who, what, why and 1 interesting fact
- A brief explanation from the chief matchmaker (his words), Dean Bob Harder, about the mutual opportunities for employer and potential employee
- Round-robin meetings at bistro tables to exchange opportunities, contact information – and to break-out to a small room for a serious interview
I led off the pitch session – the only non-employer there – with the message: “When you graduate and decide to do you’re own startup, ChehalemVIA is here for you. And, one of our startups has an ongoing project with GFU Engineering Senior Design teams.” While ChehalemVIA can’t offer employment, many students stopped by and ask about ChehalemVIA and left resumés and cards. And several of them, we can help connect to significant resources that might meet their goals.