JAWS
(Job Acquisition Workshops)

A. Venture Summary: Networking Workshop and Business Card Exchange (NW-BCE S-PAVe PROPOSAL)

1. School Name: Youngstown State University
   
   

2. Venture Title: Networking Workshop and Business Card Exchange
   
   

3. Time Duration of Venture (from Start to End): Winter Quarter 2002
   
   

4. Amounted requested from S-PAVe funds: $500
   
   

5. Total expenses of your venture: $800
   
   

6. S-PAVE Student Contact:                                                                    

B. Venture Discussion:

The basic concept of this venture is to give engineering students a forum to learn and practice networking skills so when they leave school, they will be able to thrive in industry. Networking was cited in a university paper as the leading source of finding a job. It has become an essential skill for people to possess. The IEEE has a unique opportunity, through this venture, to provide a valuable service to its student members.

The venture will be broken down into two activities. The first is a workshop to provide students with basic instructions on how to properly communicate and network. Real world examples will be provided in order to prevent common mistakes. It will include a discussion of writing thank-you business letters and the selection of appropriate business attire. This will provide ideas for students to practice in the second half of the venture. The workshop will be open to juniors and graduating seniors in engineering.

The second activity is a hands-on opportunity to apply what was learned at the workshop. This experience will provide a safe environment in which students can exchange business cards with alumni and practicing engineers and receive helpful advice to improve communication and networking skills. Free business cards (100) will be provided to IEEE members and other students attending the workshop. During the exchange, refreshments will be provided to simulate a real world social experience.

Participants can experiment with different techniques. Those that are successful can be added to their toolbox of skills and those that fail can be discarded. Alumni and practicing engineers involved will be aware that this is a practice session. During the workshop, refreshments will be provided to interviewers and students so they can learn how to handle food and beverages while communicating.

Everybody will leave the business card exchange with a collection of business cards from students and industry professionals as well as an appreciation for the skills that are important to their future. They will also make new contacts from representatives of industry and academia. Follow-up activities will include thank-you letters from students to each representative from industry involved in their discussions.

C. Meeting S-PAVe Goals

1. This workshop will enhance networking and communication skills of students.
   
   

2. The publicity will increase interest in IEEE and demonstrate the value of professional organizations to current members and potential new members.
   
   

3. The planning committee will gain leadership experience by developing a worthwhile event, which can be duplicated in years to come.

D. Venture Risk
The risk of this event is the failure to attract participants and last minute participant cancellations. We will be following up with all of those who have committed to attend in order to minimize this risk. The faculty will also be a valuable resource to supplement industry contacts. Another serious risk is that the business cards will not be completed in time for the event. Close coordination with University Printing should minimize this as well. Our advertisement will stress the value of practice in networking so students understand the benefits of participation. Personal announcements will be made in classes to create interest.

E. Management
This event has been planned by the venture planning committee with help from the regional S-PAVe Coordinator and the Branch Mentor. Our treasurer will manage the finances. The committee chair will manage the food and accommodation as well as the promotion and logistical coordination.

F. Expected Outcome
Students will come away from the event with several things. One outcome will be the contacts gained from exchanging cards with other students and industry contacts. A second outcome will be networking experience and feedback from those involved from industry. A third outcome will be the experience of writing follow-up thank you letters. Also, if students are interested in working for companies represented at the business card exchange, they can send a cover letter and resume at some future date.

G. Milestone List

H. Proposed Budget

Expenses:

Materials and photocopies	$ 100.00
Direct Mailing	40.00
Refreshments	260.00
Printing (100 Business Cards/Student)	300.00
Workshop Speaker Travel	100.00
Total Expenses	$800.00

Income:

Youngstown Section	$ 200.00
Engineering Department	100.00
RAB ($200 base + $300 Matching)	500.00
Printing (100 Business Cards/Student)	300.00
Total Income:	$ 800.00