From:	IN%"jeffj@eagle.wbm.ca" "Jeff Johnston" 28-JAN-1997 18:01:58.30

To:	IN%"david.steele@sask.usask.ca"

CC:

Subj:	Working in industry

Dear David:

Yesterday Duane said part of this NiteOwl proposal was to get people a foot in the door in industry. This was somewhat new to me but I think it is a great idea. Fortunately or unfortunately for the students I have a proposal for something that would not give them what they want (a job at Sci-Tec) but would give them what they need (knowledge about how really to find a job).

I would love to give a workshop (one hour) on how to find a job in industry. I have been itching to do this for some time. As you have probably guessed, I have spent many hours myself soul-searching and doing this myself and I believe I have it down to something of an art. Also I see a lot of people with a lot of talent and energy wasting their time going about it in the same ineffective ways I used to do it before I learned ... the hard way. The focus would be on three things 1) determining what you want to do, 2) determining who does it, and 3)approaching a potential employer. I would also like to briefly describe how to keep your job once you got it!

I could repeat this seminar on an annual or biannual basis if so desired. In addition to this I would like to offer my services as a mentor to anyone who would like some advice in this area. This is as long as the service doesn't get abused (ie: I won't write resumes, give references, or contacts!)

In the past I have been a strong advocate of industrial science. At the 1991 CEDAR conference in Colorado, I was a part of a job panel in a workshop where I surprised everyone by talking about work in industry. Some students thought I was crazy, but a few were really inspired.

Ted has us booked for a talk in February. This could be a spot for this (if you are at all interested), but frankly I would prefer to do it later. The main reason for this is I would like Eugene to give a technical presentation. He hasn't done this often and would like practice, and conferences where customers are present isn't a good place for practice.

Sincerely, Jeff

P.S. This talk would be applicable to graduate and undergraduate students in any scientific discipline.