Greetings from Massachusetts,
I graduated from the University of Buffalo in June 2000 and moved to Massachusetts to work in industry. One of my interests during my student days was to keep computer science students informed about Opportunities to better their academic and professional careers. I am now continuing this effort by these columns.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2000 IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT RESUMES FOR ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWS WITH THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES.
The good news is, of course, that the job market in the northeast area is really, really good. From the headlines of today's Boston Sunday Globe (9/3/2000) "State's high-tech job vacancies go unfilled". "One out of twelve job vacancies for skilled workers is going unfilled." Web design developer jobs are currently 24.9% unfilled. Computer programmer jobs are 14.9% unfilled. Electrical/computer engineer 10.0%, IT professional 8.5%. Of course, the Buffalo area is also a hot tech job market, so you'll also do okay staying at home.
However, if you are planning to graduate in May, the time to start your job search is NOW! Even with a good job market, it will take a bit of work to get your ideal job. My advice to you is to start the process by meeting with Melissa Ruggiero of UB's Career Planning and Placement office. Melissa is in charge of career planning for engineering and computer science students. She also has a lot of contacts in industry and often has hot job tips.
Life in the northeast has its advantages and disadvantages. Advantage: food is less expensive here than in Buffalo. Cheese is routinely $3 per pound, compared with the Buffalo $4. Lobster is also inexpensive-- $3.99 per pound on sale. Disadvantages include expensive and scarce housing. I'll write more about this in a later letter, but be prepared to pay $1100+ per month for a studio apartment in the greater Boston area-- if you can find one. There's a 99% occupancy rate. I suspect that most apartments are vacant for less than a week before they are gobbled up. FYI, I pay $745 for a one bedroom apartment located one mile from the border with New Hampshire. For this I get water, hot water, free trash removal (no recycling!?), and a commute that ranges from 30 minutes to 1 hour each way (and if I worked in the city of Boston itself, you would have to add an extra hour).
In book news, I've just finished reading The Real Rules (ISBN 0440224489) by Barbara DeAngelis, relationship guru and infomercial veteran. She wrote this book in reaction to The Rules: Time Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right (ISBN 0446602744) by Ellen Fein and Sherrie Schneider, a book which advises women to use deception and manipulation in order to get a man. DeAngelis' take is that truth and openness are better (in her words, "manipulation + masquerade = bitch") and that you should treat the people you date the way you would want to be treated. Pretty straightforward, but I think that The Real Rules provides some insight into why DeAngelis and John Gray (author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus) got divorced. Future book reviews will include: Ace the Technical Interview, Ask the Headhunter, and Mars and Venus on a Date.
Job seekers, this week your assignments are: 1) Go to the Career Planning and Placement office and fill out any forms necessary to use the Online Career Office (OCO). 2) Go to the Career Planning and Placement office and make an appointment to see Melissa Ruggiero (to discuss job hunting plans and for a resume critique). 3) Get the first draft of your resume completed. Extra Credit: Put your resume online on the OCO. Get your job fair/interview clothes ready.
Here are job ads found in the Sunday Boston Globe. I've selected some of more prominent and/or amusing ads:
Semtor: "This is your opportunity to join a fun, rapidly growing, employee centric e-business consulting company and be part of a talented team, which is having a dramatic impact on our clients and the Internet consulting industry." Something is wrong with that sentence-- I suspect that the problem lies with the word "which".
Ezenia!: "Ezenia!'s day-one benefits package includes 3 weeks' vacation, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, 401(k) with company match, tuition reimbursement, medical/dental/disability/life insurance, an on-site fitness facility and much more." The word "weeks'" is misspelled. It should be "weeks".
Openpages: "We're putting together a team of wizards and magicians to create the world's coolest software."
Shipley: They're looking for Web Developers, PC Analysts, and an Assistant Chief Waste Treatment Operator.
Weddings2go: "Who wants to be a Millionaire? Internet based start-up company in its 2nd year is preparing for its national launch. If you are bright, energetic and want to be a part of the exploding Internet start-up phenomenon - join us!"
Predictive Networks: "You'll develop, test and support revolutionary solutions for hot networks such as the Internet, cable TV, wireless, voice over IP and satellite."
Coree Networks: They are a company located in New Jersey. As I drive to work in the morning, WBZ has been running ads that feature Governor Christine Todd Whitman touting New Jersey as "The Innovation Garden State".
Sonus Networks: They have also been advertising on WBZ.
If you have any questions about academics, job hunting, or the Boston area, please email me at (bfan2 "at symbol" yahoo "dot symbol" com) and I'll try to answer them.
Until next time,
Ben