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Show .THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Monday, May 21, 2007 Job market primed for grads Jane Stringham STAFF WRITER As recent U graduates take their first steps into the professional world this summer, they will reap the benefits of rising salary offers and a 20-percent increase in hiring statistics from 2006. A heightened emphasis on college hiring and business growth and expansion are responsible for these statistics, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. The statistics apply on a national level, but one extra advantage Utah's graduates may have is a high growth rate in the state's economy. This, on top of a shrinking labor pool, has caused a signif- icant increase in the demand for workers at all levels, but especially for jobs requiring higher education. Favorable statistics aside, graduates still face the daunting task of actually snagging a job. Organizations such as the U's Lassonde New Venture Development Center help prepare upperclassmen for their post-graduation job search. The NVDC "brings together students from the business, engineering and science schools at the U and provides them a unique educational experience by working on the commercialization of university-developed technologies," said Troy D'Ambrosio, the development center's presi- dent. The center's focus is geared for students interested in toppaying starting salary jobs in 2007, which include chemical engineering ($60,054), computer engineering ($55,936) and Industrial/manufacturing engineering ($54,769). To become involved in the NVDC, students must apply in the spring for the next academic year. The only qualification the center requires is enrollment at the U. The NVDC accepts 16 to 18 students per year. "Based on our students' feedback, the Lassonde program has played an important factor in interviewing and being hired," D'Ambrosio said. Top-paying jobs for college graduates Chemical engineering ($60,054) Computer engineering ($55,936) Industrial/manufacturing engineering ($54,769) Electrical/electronics and communications engineering ($54,599) Mechanical engineering ($54,587) Computer science ($51,070) Finance ($47,905) Civil engineering ($47,145) Accounting ($46,508) Source: National Association Iff Colleges an }.stringham@ chronicle.utah.edu STUDENTS CREATE GREEN PROJECTS FOR GEOLOGY ! BUILDING '• continued from Page i Saving rain water Stephen Deppe, a senior majoring in civil and environmental engineering, and his group are working to create a storm-water distribution system that will use solar power to distribute stored water to a rooftop garden. "The purpose of our system is to keep storm water on campus to reduce dissemination of pollutants and reduce the stress on Utah's fresh-water supply brought on by an increasing water demand," Deppe said. Other projects include xeriscaped perimeter landscaping, a xeriscaped rooftop garden, an indoor rock wall, an evaporating cooling system, solar powered cells, an energy- and wateruse monitor display, rock tables and benches, an outdoor composting toilet and bicycle lockers. : t.lieu@chronicle.utah.edu U declared a 'best value college' U spokesman Remi Barron said the organization likely chose to profile the U because of its "state-of-the-art The U was chosen as one of 150 research" and faculty expertise. "The U is always doing its best universities profiled for the 2008 edition of America's Best Value Colleges, to make sure students have the best an annual guide published by The possible education for their money," Barron said. Princeton Review. The Princeton Review, a webThe U was also named one of 123 site designed to help students find "Best Western Colleges," according schools and careers, chose colleges to the 2007 publication of The Princbased on tuition prices, educational eton Review's guide. value and financial aid. The organizaIn that edition, the U came in ninth tion compiled the lists by surveying on the "Students pray on a regular 110,000 students across the nation. basis" list, compared with Brigham Nikkole Chris ten sen STAFF WRITER Young University, which came in first. The U also placed eighth on the "Professors make themselves scarce" list. Nikki Christensen, a junior in international studies, said she agreed that it can be difficult to find time to meet with professors. "Office hours seem arbitrary," Christensen said. "You have to make an appointment and it's a little frustrating." The Princeton Review also rated the U's admission selectivity rate. On a scale of 60-99 points, where 99 was a positive score, the U rated a 79. Dave Pershing, senior vice president for academic affairs, said the U has been increasing its selectivity of incoming students. "Our goal is to encourage those students who desire and are prepared for a rigorous college education to come to the U," Pershing said. BYU, Westminster College, Utah State University and Southern Utah University were also named on the Amenta's Best Value Colleges list. ruchristensen@ chronicle.utah.edu Faculty research at U nationally recognized Lauren Mangelson STAFF WRITER Two U professors have been elected into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Baldomero Oliver a and Brenda Bass are two of the newest fellows elected to the AAAS. They are part of this year's 230-person class, which includes other scholars, scientists and artists as well as civic, corporate and philanthropic leaders. A native of the Philippines, Olivera has spent his career researching seadwelling cone snails that were sold in fish markets by the kilo in his hometown. The cone snail possesses paralyzing venom that shuts down the nervous system of its prey. Olivera is being recognized for his work and involvement in the discovery of a new painkiller, derived from the venom of the cone snail. The new painkiller has just been approved for use and is used as an alternative to morphine for medical patients with severe pain. "It's quite an honor. I'm able to meet people who I wouldn't otherwise meet," Olivera said. Bass, the U's other electee to the academy, is a professor of biochemistry and has been involved in many notable discoveries, including her discovery of an RNA-editing enzyme. Among other functions, RNA regulates genes in the nervous system. The edit- ing enzyme helps carry out many functions in living organisms, particularly in the nervous system. By editing RNA, the information is relayed from a single gene and can be converted into a variety of proteins, which in turn help carry out various functions. Bass does her research on tiny worms because of the simplicity of their nervous systems. The AAAS awards "bring important recognition to the university," Bass said. "People in Utah don't always know there is nationally and internationally recognized research going on at the U, and this validates that," Olivera said. Award recipients are nominated anonymously by MASTER PLAN TO FOCUS ON STUDENT LIFE continued from Page 1 Associates from Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, the consulting firm creating the U's campus master plan, hope to find a solution to draw students onto campus and have made it a topic of discussion at each of their meetings about the master plan. A new campus master plan is expected to be completed by December of this year. The plan will serve as a guide for expansion on the U campus in coming years. The U received approval from the Utah State Legislature last spring to take out a $42 million bond to build a student life center. Pearson said this new student life center would provide a reason for students to spend more time on campus. r.ve5ter@chronicfe.utah.edu U REACHES OUT TO DROPOUTS j.branch@chronicle.utah.edu academy's headquarters in Cambridge, Mass. Other inductees in this year's class include Al Gore, Sandra Day O'Connor and Spike Lee. l.mangelson@ h NEW DEAN OF STDENTS APPOINTED continued from Page 1 about Nebeker's new role. _ "We feel like Annie will be a wonderful replacement," Pershing said. "She cares deeply about and understands students very well." Nebeker graduated from the U in 1987 with an art history and psychology degree. While working as the new dean of students, Nebeker plans to pursue her doctorate degree with the College of Social Work. As part of Nebeker's duties as dean of students, she will work as an adviser to the Associated Students of the University of Utah. Student Body President Spencer Pearson said he looks forward to working with Nebeker. "Annie is someone who genuinely cares about student needs and the betterment of the student body," Pearson said. p.williams@ *•&&;•«••;?•'&*#* chronicle.ut&tni&u Advertise for FREE in the Chronicle! All students who are signed up for Utext or who sign up for Utext will recieve 3 free classified advertisements in the Daily Utah Chronicle. This opportunity is valid for the rest of the school year, so if you have anything (books, bikesjpods, computers, etc.) to sell, call the Daily Utah Chronicle to place a free classified! Officers provide security and protection for air travelers, airports and aircraft. Starting at $12.74 per hour Plus Benefits (Includes 12.64% Locality Pay) Minimum Requirements: U.S. Citizenship or U.S. National • High school diploma, GED or equivalent, or one year of security or aviation screening experience • English proficiency • Pre-employmcnt medical evaluation • Pass a background/credit check Please apply online al: www.tsajobs.com 1-800-887-1895 TTY: 1-800-887-5506 TSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. . .MAGIG TIME SPIRAL.. GAMES WORKSHOP.. . ROLE-PLAYINC GAMES . . ONLINE COMPUTER GAMING. continued from Page 1 the University of New Mexico in 1996 for stop-outs in good standing. More than half of the students in the University of New Mexico's "The Graduation Project" successfully completed their bachelor's degrees. At the time, it was the only program of its kind in the nation. "The U will experience the same success through working collaboratively to address the needs of this student population," Aiken-Wisniewskisaid. a colleague in their field of work or study and are then voted on by other AAAS members. Olivera and Bass will be inducted into the AAAS on Oct. 6 in a ceremony at the STORE HDUtSi Wffl-IHUMi 11AMT0 10m . FRIDAY HAW TO HIDNICHT 8ATURDAT1 I0AH TO MIDNIGHT - SUNDAYi NOON TO SPH :.MMCnOI«D MACICT0UHNAM1HT8 s u n n m , SALT LAIH cmr raws! MI JSJjeos 011 JTZJUSTOM WVW.HASmR0B8IES.CON NEW I PRODUCTS: WOULD OF WARCRAFTCXftD GAME MAGIC TIME SPIRAL SETTLERS OF CATAN TICKET TO RIOE GAME MAGIC ft ILLUSIONS ; Students MUST be signed up for Utext in order to take advantage of this deal. Ads may only be used for personal use and not for advertising help wanted ads. All ads must be approved and edited for content before they can be placed in the Classifieds section of the Daily Utah Chronicle. 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