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November 17, 2003 Program Summary

Speaker at podium cartoonProfessional Association Networking Night was a first-ever get-acquainted event involving various technical professional organizations in the community and on the Cal Poly campus. By learning what we all have in common and what each group contributes uniquely, our organizations began to discover ways to take advantage of shared interests and goals and understand how to better serve our constituents. We heard informative presentations from the following groups:

  • Softec (Central Coast Software and Technology Association)
  • IEEE-CS (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Cal Poly Computer Science Chapter)
  • SLO STC (Society for Technical Communication, professional chapter)
  • cpSTC (Society for Technical Communication, Cal Poly Student Chapter)
  • SWE (Society of Women Engineers, Central Coast Professional Section)
  • SWE (Society of Women Engineers, Cal Poly Student Section)

Here are some highlights from the event:

Speaker Joe GrimesJoe Grimes (right), Special Assistant to the Provost for Faculty & Staff Development, Relations with Industry, and Academic Computing, and Professor of Computer Science at Cal Poly, wore two hats in order to present information about:

  • Softec (the Central Coast Software & Technology Association), for which he is on the Board of Directors
  • IEEE-CS (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Cal Poly Computer Science Chapter), for which he is Chapter Advisor

Softec

Softec comprises a dynamic mix of businesses and individuals involved or interested in various aspects of technology. Softec serves the Central Coast's high technology community by:

  • Encouraging the development and attraction of human resources necessary for the prosperity of the high technology business community on the Central Coast
  • Fostering relationships and efforts that promote capital formation
  • Supporting the enhancement of the relationship between the high technology business community and Cal Poly, Cuesta and Allan Hancock Community Colleges, and other educational institutions

Softec meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Information about upcoming Softec meetings and events is available at www.softec.org.

IEEE-CS

With nearly 100,000 members, the IEEE Computer Society is the world's leading organization of computer professionals. The Computer Society's vision is to be the leading provider of technical information and services to the world's computing professionals. The Society is dedicated to advancing the theory, practice, and application of computer and information processing technology, and promotes an active exchange of information, ideas, and technological innovation among its members.

IEEE-CS is the student professional organization for Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Electrical Engineering at Cal Poly, and is a student chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society.

The Cal Poly chapter sponsors the RoboRodentia 2004 design competition held during Open House. Student design and build robots that navigate a maze, retrieve racquet balls, and move them to a specified location.

IEEE-CS meets Wednesdays during the academic year, assists with student orientation, and provides information about software, hardware, and conference opportunities. More information about the Cal Poly chapter of IEEE-CS can be found at ieee.ee.calpoly.edu/ieee_cs/index.php

 
Speaker Jeff Wong

Society for Technical Communication, Cal Poly Chapter (cpSTC)

Jeff Wong (left), President of the cpSTC, shared information about the local student chapter, a fast-growing organization dedicated to developing students' communication skills in the fields of designing, developing, editing, and writing.

The cpSTC goal is to encourage career-advancing relationships with industry leaders through projects, fundraisers, and events. The chapter promotes ongoing learning of the industry to enhance the professionalism of its members.

Regular meetings are held on the Cal Poly campus every other Thursday. Send e-mail to events@cpstc.org or visit www.cpstc.org for information on the next meeting.

For additional highlights, see the cpSTC's PDF handout (116K).

 

SWE member Heather Matteson with Mike LujanSociety of Women Engineers (SWE)

Heather Matteson (shown at right with STC member Mike Lujan), is a recent Cal Poly engineering graduate and was one of the SWE members singing the praises of this popular organization along with presenters Rebekah Oulton, Vice President of the Central Coast Professional SWE Section, and Jaclyn Stephen, Team Tech Director of the Cal Poly Student SWE Section.

Central Coast Professional SWE Section

The Central Coast Section of the Society of Women Engineers exists to support women in engineering and the Central Coast community by providing career development, networking, and outreach activity opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.cc-swe.org/

The national organization's website is http://www.societyofwomenengineers.org/

Cal Poly Student SWE Section

The Cal Poly Student Section of the Society of Women Engineers meets twice monthly. Company representatives and faculty members speak on a variety of topics, exposing student members to different industries and new technologies. General meetings also offer important opportunities for students to participate in dynamic group interaction while learning from and sharing ideas with other SWE members. Other events and networking opportunities are described at http://www.csc.calpoly.edu/~swe/

For additional highlights on both sections, see the SWE combined PDF handout (96K).

 
SLO STC slide presentation

Society for Technical Communication, San Luis Obispo Chapter

Adele Sommers, President of the SLO STC Chapter, gave a quick tour of the profession as well as the chapter's goals, events, and professional development opportunities.

For more information about the chapter, see:

To learn more about the international organization, see www.stc.org.

 

Photography by Keri Morgret.

   

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