CECS Newsletter 1 for AY 2010/11

September 27 2010

by Dr. Alvaro Monge

Hello everyone! This is a newsletter that I edit and which is meant for all CECS students. It is posted on the CECS department website on the CECS News section. I encourage everyone to read the newsletters as they usually contain important information about our curriculum and also job or internship positions that I've been asked to post. Also, let me know if you have some additions that you'd like to have.

• Engineering, Computer Science Students Have Highest Salary Expectations: Once again, students majoring computer science and engineering disciplines are at the top for highest salary expectations according to results of a salary survey from NACE, the National Association of Colleges and Employers.
• U.S. Wants to Make It Easier to Wiretap the Internet: NY Times article reporting on federal law enforcement and national security officials seeking new regulations to allow them to wiretap all communications-enabling services.
• F.C.C. Opens Unused TV Airwaves to Broadband: NY Times article reporting that the FCC passed a proposal to idle TV broadcast airwaves available for high-speed wireless broadband networks and other applications.

I recommend that new (as well as returning) students seek to get involved with student organizations. We have several in the department and in the college, including: ACM, EAT, Micromouse, SWE, SHPE, MAES, etc. Check out those flyers you see posted around the department, go to their meetings and check them out! You'll get some valuable information, meet students in the department in a setting other than your classes, and get fed for free at the same time!

Get a chance to compete in the world's largest and most prestigious programming competition. The International Collegiate Programming Contest (sponsored by ACM and this year by IBM) is a chance to show off your skills and what makes you stand out in today's tough job market. Training meetings will be Thursdays at 7:30pm in ECS 416. The ACM Southern California Regional Programming Contest will be held November 13th.

Here are some general notes of advise for all students…

• Always review the University catalog for official requirements for graduation. Be sure to check the correct year. While you may share classes with friends and share tips on what classes to take, your requirements may not be the same as curriculum can change from one year to the next. Thus, students should always check their official requirements as listed in the catalog. The most recent catalogs area easily accessible online.
• Review your Degree Progress Report (Degree Audit) using MyCSULB. This shows you the requirements you've completed as well as the ones in progress and the ones you've yet to satisfy. If you detect inconsistencies, you should contact the University Center for Undergraduate Advising with assistance on General Education requirements and your major advisor for assistance on requirements in your major.
• If you've taken classes at community colleges and they are not listed in your degree audit, it may be because you've not submitted a transcript from that college. You'll need to request official transcripts from the college and submit them to Enrollment Services.
• Review past CECS Newsletters for explanations on changes in curriculum in the department. You can use Google to quickly search the newsletters. For example, a Google search of "site:csulb.edu cecs newsletter electives" will return results that include information about electives – such as when to take CECS 3xx classes in order to be eligible to take certain electives.

Students who are near graduation need to file a request to graduate. Enrollment Services maintains a page the explains the Graduation Filing Process. This includes instructions on how to file a request to graduate, which must be preceded with a visit to your major advisor.

Effective Fall 2010, University Policy requires that all undergraduates complete their degrees within 120% of the units required for their majors and file a Request to Graduate form with the Office of Enrollment Services by the time they have completed 100% of the units required for their majors.

The most recent version of the Spring 2011 schedule can be accessed by using MyCSULB. The department can still make changes though I do not expect major changes to take place. Students may want to review the schedule now and should contact their advisor if you identify some problems you may have scheduling your classes. As in previous semesters, students should enroll as early as possible since some of these classes will fill up quickly.

The following is a letter to be shared with CECS students, it is from a CSULB alumn in computer engineering.

Dear graduating seniors:

As a California State University Long Beach alumnus (Computer Engineering, '09), I wanted to share some information I hope will be useful as you approach your own graduation and are making decisions about your future and career.

Specifically, I wanted to share my experience at The Boeing Company, and especially about an exciting, challenging program in Boeing Information Technology I've been part of, called the Information Systems Career Foundation Program (ISCFP).

First, about the program: the ISCFP is a two-year program, designed specifically for recent college graduates with bachelor's or master's degrees in computer science & information technology related fields. The program allows participants to gain knowledge and experience in several key IT-related areas, including:

• Architecture
• Functional Analysis
• Project Management
• Programming Analysis
• Systems Integration, test and validation
• Configuration/change and release management

In addition, participants have access to mentoring with seasoned IT professionals, opportunities to meet and network with business and technology leaders across the company (as well as other younger professionals and peers), attend special seminars and workshops at various sites, and continue to learn and grow while adding value as an IT professional.

Finally, about The Boeing Company: in my experience at Boeing so far, I've discovered a company that is about a lot more than making airplanes. Within the large IT organization, for example, there is a lot going on in terms of defining and delivering the technical capabilities for the larger, global enterprise. Boeing is a challenging place to work, with good benefits, good people and a lot of opportunity to learn and grow as a professional.

I hope this information was helpful to you. If so, I'd like to point you to some opportunities to learn more about the ISCFP and Boeing! You can read more about ISCFP requisition online.

If you'd like to know more about the company or this program, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Miguel A. Herrera

ISCFP - Project Management
The Boeing Company
Engineering Operations & Technology
Bellevue, Washington

Secom International Inc., a manufacturer and installer of security access and revenue control equipment is seeking a Systems (QA) Analyst in our California office (near LAX Airport). Duties include:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform software and hardware testing on proprietary system components. Includes managing and archival of test results, presenting/demonstrating results to Sr. staff and follow-through within internal and external channels.
• Set up and final testing/configuration of systems
• Heavy phone technical support for both customers and internal staff
• Upkeep of QA and customer documentation

REQUIREMENTS:

• B.S. in Computer Science or Electronic Engineering
• Must be organized, attentive, and able to communicate clearly and effectively
• Must have excellent customer service skills
• Be punctual, and dependable
• Excellent written/verbal skills
• Be self motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment
• Strong troubleshooting skills
• Basic "handyman" skills/familiarity with tools
• Thick-skinned
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and work in non-traditional setting
• Strong analytical/problem solving skills

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Javascript
• Linux (Apache / Postgres SQL)
• Basic PC (WinXP & Vista) skills
• Engineering Background
• PHP
• Website File Support
• System Networking

BENEFITS: Salary based on experience and bonus skills. We offer a benefits package including: Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Leave, Medical Plan, 401(k) with a company funded match.

Working hours are 40 hours/week and up, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Candidate should be willing to work extended hours with business and technical teams to support operational requirements. To apply, please e-mail resume, with attention to Michelle Adams.

The department has been contacted by Mike Beverly who wants to create a small-scale package tracking system using MS Visual Studio. The user interface has already been created. The database backend will use MS Access. The system will also need to generate management reports.

For additional information, please contact Mike Beverly via e-mail. He's looking for 3 or 4 senior students who have experience doing this kind of work.