District partners with University of Omaha in celebration of E-Week

Photo By Cheryl Moore | Gabriel Nsengiyumva, National Society of Black Engineering student, shares his love for civil engineering with John Bertino, Chief Engineering Division during an Engineering Week event at the University of Nebraska.  

OMAHA, NE, UNITED STATES

02.25.2016

Story by Cheryl Moore 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

OMAHA, Neb. - Engineering Week at Omaha District went off without a hitch as engineers, students and faculty took part in multiple events in celebration of the annual event.

When that engineering student runs up to your booth after his final college class of the day, looks down at your table banner and says, this is the Army Corps of Engineers, this is my dream job! You know you’re in the right place.

That place was partnering with the University of Omaha at the Peter Kiewit Institute, during the celebration and recognition of Engineering Week, Feb. 21-27.

Omaha District represented the “Engineers make a World of Difference” theme, when USACE team members attended the Engineer Week Kickoff ceremony where more than 85 students attended. Col. John Henderson, Omaha District Commander was on hand to increase the understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers.

Johnette (Johnnie) Shockley with the U. S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), represented the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to the diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce attending the annual event. College students walked among table displays and information booths. The event had the look and feel of a career fair but students were able to interact with representatives from local construction and engineering firms as well as USACE on a more personal level, without the rush of a fair.

“As a representative for the Nebraska Engineering Student Council at Omaha, NESCO, I want to thank the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers for your interest of E-Week. You joining us for the opening ceremony has helped our students learn more about the work you do abroad and those with global impacts,” said Johnathon Hare, Electronics Engineering Class of 2019.

Representatives from the Omaha District also participated in the University of Nebraska Chapter of the Nation Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) mixer, held Thursday, Feb. 25.

Dr. Teri Norton, Associate Professor, Construction Engineering Program Coordinator said more than 45 students attend the mixer. Other local industries participating in E-Week celebrations included Valmont Industries, Union Pacific, United States Department of Agriculture, Nebraska Public Power District, Johnson Controls, Inc., Lincoln Electric System, Inter-Systems and University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Norton said, “Our first NSBE Industry Networking Mixer was during E-Week 2010, making it seven years running this year. This event started as a NSBE-only event as a way to give minority students an opportunity to interact and network with industry professionals. It gave them the focused face time they wouldn’t ordinarily have. A little attention and support goes a long way.”

The event was co-sponsored by the student chapters of the Mexican American Engineers & Scientists (MAES), the UNO Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and the UNO American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). “It is a great opportunity to interact with and network with local industry professionals and students from all engineering disciplines,” said Jennifer Skidmore, Career Services coordinator.

Students in attendance enjoyed interacting with faculty, alumni and industry partners to learn about scholarships, internships and employment opportunities. Students also heard from professional engineers about their experiences in the engineering industry.

And, for that lucky college student whose dream is to work for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers … well, he jetted home during the setup for the evening events and returned, dressed for success. He was excited to talk with the District Commander, and John Bertino, Chief of the Omaha District Engineering Division, who shared a wealth of information with the many students who stopped by.

For that young college student with the dream of working for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, his cover letter and resume have been submitted for a summer hire position. With that dream in the works, E-week came to a close.

• Date Taken: 02.25.2016
• Date Posted: 03.04.2016 16:34
• Story ID: 191181
• Location: OMAHA, NE, US