Engineers for Community Service is a student ran OSU organization that is mainly compiled of engineers looking for volunteer opportunities. They are approximately 5 different sections of volunteering such as homeless shelter creation and the wheel chair ramp project. I am an active member under the wheel chair ramp construction project. Every Sunday about 20 engineers pile into cars and drive 15 min to the project site. We are donating all of our time and supplies to help a family in need. Some every day task include: post hole digging, cutting/sawing, drilling, and measuring. These tasks have all been improving for every member and we all learn something new every day. This event is not only great to help volunteer, but also to reach out to a community and actually see people who you are affecting. Throughout the course of 4 weeks, I have made friends who share similar interests and that are also in similar classes as me. Potential employers will be able to see this event as an outreach service and something that has been improving my overall people skills. I cannot wait to see the finish project and the reaction of those who we are helping.

The annual Engineering Expo held at the Student Union on Ohio State’s campus is a great way for future engineers to network themselves to employers. I attended this event in late September as a Freshman to learn the ropes and get experience for when I am looking for an internship or co-op opportunities. This event taught me how you need to prepare, how large it actually is, and I even learned tips to help be successful at the event the coming years. One encounter that really impacted me was the moment I spoke with the recruiters from Component Repair Technologies Inc. They gave me helpful information and insight on what companies are really looking for and even what to add to resumes that recruiters always look for. They were helpful while knowing I was a freshman because who knows, one day I might be working for them and they want the best possible candidates.  I feel going to an event like this as a freshman distances me from my peers who thought they were to early in the process to start networking themselves, while I thought this was the perfect opportunity. This experience not only worked on my speaking abilities but also put me outside my comfort zone with something I never had to go through before. I know that in time, I will not regret going to the Expo.