Computer Engineering at RIT:

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Computer Engineering at RITIf only Id known

• Matt Genovese, Motorola Inc.
• RIT Computer Engineering Graduate
• 1997

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Purpose

• To talk about my experiences at RIT, and in the
  Computer Engineering Department.
• Topics
• Computer Engineering
• Being an Engineer at RIT (Hints Tips)
• Co-ops and Jobs
• Balance
• Open Forum - Please ask questions!!!

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A Bit About Me

• Grew up in Owego, NY.
• Had interest in computers since 3rd grade.
• Accepted into RIT in Computer Engineering Dept.
  (1992 - 1997).
• Married since 1997.
• Now working as Product Engineer at Motorola in
  Austin, Texas.

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Computer Engineering

• Congratulations!

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Computer Engineering

• Congratulations! You picked the right major.
• Why Computer Engineering?
• Strong software engineering background
• Strong digital design / hardware background
• VLSI Design (Semiconductors)
• Acquire high-level through low-level
  understanding of computer design.

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Computer Engineering

• How does Computer Engineering compare to
• Electrical Engineering
• CE has much more computer architecture and
  embedded programming expertise compared to EE.
• CE benefits from much more software engineering.
• Computer Science / Software Engineering
• CS/SE doesnt nearly get into the hardware aspect
  of computers as CE does.
• Miss out on understanding the internals of a
  computer / embedded system.

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Computer Engineering

• What is the advantage of having a Computer
  Engineering degree?
• 1 - Youre diversified!
• Leads to many more career choices after
  graduation.
• Having both hardware and software backgrounds is
  advantageous in whatever career path you choose.
• Uncommon Engineering Degree
• Not as many CEs in workplace as EE or CS.
• This is good news for you.

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CE Advantage - Example

• As a Product Engineer at Motorola, I am involved
  in the fabrication, testing, and characterization
  of a microprocessor.
• Involves a lot of data analysis.
• I am the ONLY person in my group who can program.
  This is not uncommon.
• Therefore, I use my software experience to write
  programs to automate data extraction.

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CE Curriculum Layout

• The general layout of the CE degree is
• Years 1-2 - Software Foundation
• Software engineering theory - develop your
  software expertise.
• Years 2-3 - Hardware Foundation
• Electronic theory, digital design, embedded prog.
• Years 4-5 - Tying it all Together
• Core CE courses (Comp. Arch., VLSI, etc.)
• Electives - Concentrate on your interests.

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So Whats My Point?

• The Computer Engineering curriculum is not easy.
• Dont be intimidated stick with it. Its one of
  the most rewarding degrees to obtain.
• Diversification Uniqueness
• Endless Job Opportunities in Todays Market
• Salary
• The Satisfaction of Understanding

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Being an Engineer at RIT

• What Youve Never Been Told, But Need to Know...

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How to Survive(Especially the Freshman Year)

• Learn How to Take Charge of Your Courses
• Learn Good Study / Homework Habits
• Learn Time Management

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Take Charge of Your Courses

• The DONTs
• Dont be afraid to ask questions. Youre not in
  high school anymore youre paying to learn now.
• Dont skip classes
• You wont get in trouble (like in high school),
  but you will pay for it.
• Be an Engineer Calculate how much youre
  paying for each class session. Skipping ?
  Flushing

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Take Charge of Your Courses

• The DOs
• Be Persistent With Your Learning
• If you dont understand something in a class,
  speak up. Chances are others have the same
  question.
• If you still have questions, talk to the teacher
  after class or visit during office hours.
• It is IMPERATIVE that you understand. Clear up
  you questions ASAP, because as the class
  progresses, new information builds upon what
  youve already learned.

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Take Charge of Your Courses

• The DOs (continued)
• Fight for Good Professors
• If you were able to learn well with a certain
  professor (on same wavelength), try your best to
  get him/her for another class.
• Because you already know his/her teaching style,
  you wont have to learn that again.
• If the class you want is full, approach the
  professor. If he/she knows you from before,
  maybe he/she can get you in. Remember Its in
  YOUR best interest.

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Take Charge of Your Courses

• The DOs (continued)
• Use Your Academic Advisor
• Scheduling of Classes
• Meet with once per academic year to setup /
  refine your schedule for the next academic year.
• If youre struggling academically, keep him/her
  in the loop.
• Remember Your advisor is on your side - there to
  make sure you succeed academically.

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Taking Charge Other Tips

• If you are unable to learn from your professor,
  look into transferring to another section of the
  course.
• If done early in the quarter, may be better than
  withdrawing from the class.
• Saves you from dealing with prerequisite-course
  problems next quarter.
• If you fail a course, its not the end of the
  world. See your academic advisor.

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Study Homework Habits

• If possible, study and do homework with fellow
  students in your classes
• Why?
• Can help each other better understand the
  material.
• Better chance to complete entire assignment
  rather than being stuck on a single problem for a
  long time.
• A lot more enjoyable to do in a group setting.

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Study Homework Habits

• If possible, study and do homework with fellow
  students in your classes
• Where?
• Library (reserve a room where you can all meet)
• Nearby the Professors Office
• If you have questions about homework problems,
  its easier to resolve when the professor is
  right around the corner.
• Try not to study in dorms - way too many
  distractions.
• Try to move into on-campus apartments ASAP.
  Better work environment, but still on campus.

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On-time Homework

• How do you get your homework done on time?
• Schedule it from the date its due back to the
  date it was assigned.
• Divvy up assignment for mini-tasks to do daily.
• If youre having problems, see professor
  immediately. If he/she knows youre making the
  effort, theres a better chance you can be cut
  some slack. Remember Visibility is good.

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Time Management

• Get a Day-timer
• It will help you
• Keep track of the assignments you need to do.
• Break them in pieces over a period of time.
• Remember when they need to be completed (on a
  future date).
• Keep track of appointments.
• Palm Pilots also work. Be sure to hot-sync
  frequently. But if its gets stolen, youre SOL.
  (People dont steal day-timers.)

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Co-ops and Jobs

• Realizing The Fruits of Your Labor

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Co-ops Testing the Waters

• Co-ops set apart RIT Computer Engineers
• A rare opportunity to test the waters - see
  what careers really interest you.
• Gives you a chance to network and make contacts
  for permanent jobs after graduation.
• Realize the fruits of your labor
• Put your knowledge into real use in a supportive
  environment.
• Get paid for it.

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The Resume You on Paper

• Be Prepared If you dont have a resume yet,
  start working on one now.
• Spend A LOT OF TIME on your resume.
• This piece of paper has to sum you up.
• Any mistakes (grammatical, spelling) are
  magnified, and will cost you at least one
  interview.
• Use Co-op Office (Bausch Lomb bldg.) to give
  suggestions about resume formats, wording, etc.

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The Co-op Search

• Use your co-ops well. Youll never have an
  opportunity like this again.
• Dont co-op just to fulfill your graduating
  requirement. Think seriously about what you may
  be interested in.
• Take advantage of co-oping out of town
• Get an idea if youll like the area. If not,
  youll be done with the co-op soon anyway.

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Co-op / Job Tips

• Network with other students you know
• Benefit from friends returning from co-op - see
  if its something you would be interested in.
• Join IEEE
• Being associated with professional organization
  looks good on resume.
• Subscribe to IEEE Spectrum magazine
• Includes articles about many aspects of
  electronic and software engineering fields - get
  ideas for co-ops!

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Balance

• Taking it all in stride
• (or Learning how to stay cool when it feels like
  hell)

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Balance - Relieving Stress

• All work and no play makes you not so happ-ay.
• Use Phys. Ed. classes to your advantage
• Business Advantage Golf, Tennis, Racquetball
• Fun Juggling, Bowling, Volleyball
• Intramural Sports
• On-Campus Clubs
• Cater to a variety of interests / hobbies

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Get Outside

• Lots of things to do in Rochester
• Mountain biking (on campus, Erie Canal, trails
  around Rochester, etc.)
• Parks
• Letchworth - Amazing park (many places to hike)
• Mendon Ponds - Feed birds and squirrels right out
  of your hands (more fun that it sounds)
• Sledding
• Cobbs Hill - Awesome sled riding, esp. at night
  -)

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At Last...

• College seems like it will last forever, it ends
  before you know it.
• The friends you find in college will probably be
  some of your best friends in life.
• So.. Enjoy your time with them, and have fun!