As some of you may remember from my previous posts on this subject, I am the school manager and lead recruiter for Tech at the Naval Surface Warfare Center - Dahlgren (VA). I have the privilege and honor to be able to come down and recruit graduating engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and computer scientists to work at NSWC on programs of great importance to the nation's security. It is really an easy job once I explain to them the kinds of programs we have here (BMD, railguns, DEW, CBRN detection/defense, UAV, shipboard combat systems, missiles, gun systems, radars, EW, SLBM, etc.). They get to work on some the country's most technically challenging security problems and contribute to the defense of the U.S. So as you can see, I do not have to do much selling of the base to generate a lot of interest.
We just finished the 2009-2010 recruiting year and I am very pleased to say that we hired eight Tech grads from this year's class from a number of different disciplines. That gives us a total of 10 over the past year or so (we hired two last year). When I made my first trip back to Tech to recruit last spring (2009), I was the only grad on base. By this fall, that number could be up to as many as 13-14 as I am still working on another 2-3. In all likelihood, Tech will have the second most grads hired this year behind that other Tech in Blacksburg. Tech grads stack up very well against other schools and can more than hold their own when it comes to abilities. I recruit other schools as well and Tech takes a back seat to no one. Yes I am biased, but I have to put that aside and do what is best for the base and the Navy. The quality of our students is exceptional and I think our hiring numbers prove this. Our charge is to recruit the “best and brightest”. My biggest regret is that we cannot hire all of the kids that are qualified. I have to pare my recommendations down to the top 4-6 that I talk to, even though I normally have twice that many (or more) that are great candidates.
Anyway, I am thrilled to be able to help in some small way, the current generation of grads to get their career start. I consider it an honor to do so. Plus it is a lot of fun to come back a couple of times each year. I am looking forward to returning in the fall for the Career Fair. I just hope it coincides with a home football game....
By the way, Ron Cathey, Jan Grigsby, and Angie Kelly in the Career Center do an outstanding job of organizing and setting up recruiting events on campus and making us feel at home when we arrive. They always make it easy for me to meet the kids and set up interviews. They are exceedingly good at what they do and Tech is very fortunate to have these folks on staff.
Just thought some of you might be interested in hearing this.
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Originally Posted by hookdown
