To stay ahead of the competition in the rapidly changing electronics products market, companies must employ the best trained university graduates. The University of Maryland has always been at the forefront of advancing engineering curricula, and ranks 13th among all U.S. engineering programs. The CALCE educational program at the University of Maryland is dedicated to providing students with the diverse inter-disciplinary skills necessary to be highly successful as engineers and leaders in industry. Students are trained to synthesize the knowledge from a number of technical disciplines, to understand the business issues associated with creating electronic systems, and to be effective in communications and teaming. All graduates of this program have enjoyed exceptional employment opportunities, with 1999 minimum salaries of greater than $66,000/yr for M.S. and $74,000/yr for Ph.D. students, with some starting offers of over $100,000/year. In addition, student usually receive a $6,000 relocation package and an incentive pay at 5% of base salary.

The CALCE program graduates over 25 MS and PhD engineers each year. We receive at least two employer calls per week requesting our students. Today, CALCE students are employed at major Fortune 500 corporations such as Microsoft, Texas Instruments, Philips, Lockheed, Northrup-Grumman, Hughes, GM and Delco Electronics as engineers, managers, and executives involved in electronic packaging, manufacturing, and quality and reliability. A list of former CALCE students who are now working in industry is available here. CALCE Consortium Sponsors can meet with current graduate students at semi-annual research review meetings.

My experience over the past 14 years as a professor and as the director of CALCE has given me a unique insight into the most successful methods of attracting students as potential employees. Frequent student contact and familiarity with specific companies through company presence at CALCE is directly related to student interest in employment with that company. The best way for your company to recruit future engineers, scientists, and leaders from the University of Maryland is to support our research and make your presence felt amongst our students.

Please consider visiting the University, investing in the research performed here, and hosting seminars to educate the students about the work your company conducts and the challenges you are facing. Your influence and active presence here can make the difference in recruiting the best students, and in preparing them for the jobs that lay ahead. I would be glad to assist you in establishing a presence at the University if your company is interested.

Sincerely,

Michael Pecht

Director and Professor