Academic & Professional Advice

Academic Advice from CALESS Alumni

• "Your g.p.a should be your number one priority, it needs to be a 3.0 and above to stay competitive. Don't just focus on the courses of your major, research in the industry you are wanting to get into and see if there are online courses that you can take that UC Davis doesn't offer. For example, Machine Learning, Deep learning, etc." - Paty Millan, Mathematics and Statistics
• "Don't struggle alone. Ask for help. Go to office hours, tutoring, study groups." - Michelle Chiw, Managerial Economics
• "Always ask questions!" Mayra Vega, Mechanical Engineering

Professional Advice from CALESS Alumni

• "Its never too late to get an internship. Always remember that your academics should be your top priority and you should try to keep the highest GPA possible." - Juan Zuniga, Civil Engineering
• "In addition to maintaining a respectable GPA, I learned to strengthen my communications skills - both written and oral. I found that when I communicated effectively - I could add value and leadership to my Project Team and Client. " - Richard Casias, Founding CALESS Secretary in 1975
• "Know the companies and prepare in advance. Seems simple, but most attendees at conferences don't put in the work ahead of time making them look silly when talking to companies. " - Michael Torres, Mechanical Engineering
• "Be prepared. Bring a resume that is 95% complete and don't rely in reviewing your resume at the conferences. I know its frightening to talk to people you don't know but these are opportunities that will shape your future." - Juan Zuniga, Civil Engineering
• "Find something in your academic career that sets you apart (a particular project, having a unique skill, having a unique experience, etc) and use that to tell your story. People at career fairs see A LOT of people. The more you can set yourself apart, the better. It takes much more than having a good GPA." - Mayra Vega, Mechanical Engineering
• "Besides your resume and linkedin profile, start creating a portfolio of your projects that can easily be shared on your blog or github account. Showing what you can do is more valuable then showing what courses you have taken." - Paty Millan, Mathematics and Statistics
• "Don't underestimate the power of first impressions and great interviewing skills. What I learned through attending shpe and maes conferences and practicing was invaluable and the only reason I got my first job with a mediocre GPA. A good GPA only opens the door but you need to sell yourself and your accomplishment to close the deal. Get an internship or co-op instead of summer school- even if it means graduating later. The experience you will get is priceless and what you will want to talk about when interviewing for your real job. I don't hire folks without internship experience- even if they have good grades." - Michelle Chiw, Managerial Economics
• "Take advantage of every opportunity to network" - Mayra Vega, Mechanical Engineering

If you are an Alumni who would also like to give some advice for CALESS members, please contact caless.academicchair@gmail.com with your name, major you graduated with at UC Davis, and your academic/professional advice.

Below are attachments that meant to help you provided by SASC, ICC, and CALESS Academic and Professional Workshops.