OXFORD, Miss. — Recruiters from Japanese car manufacturing
juggernaut Toyota met prospective employees at the
University of Mississippi Thursday (Oct. 11) during the
School of Engineerings annual Career Day.
Toyota Corporation was among 37 businesses and industries
manning a 100-yard stretch of recruiting tables lining the
lobby of Carrier Hall from mid-morning to noon. The
representatives were met by dozens of enthusiastic
undergraduate and graduate students from the schools six
engineering departments.
Professionally dressed and with resumes in hand, the
students sought to make favorable and lasting impressions
to gain the coveted interview they hope will result in job
opportunities.
Toyota spokespersons said they were impressed with the Ole
Miss students.
“Several of the students Ive met have been strong in both
their academics and their internship and co-op
experiences,” said Sandra Stratton, human resources talent
manager for Toyota North America. “All of them have been
very polite and hospitable. Their potential combined with
our expertise in technology translates into a win-win
situation for everyone.”
John Raymer, engineering manager for Toyotas Kentucky-based
manufacturing plant, said the company is looking for people
who are interested in helping the U.S. manufacturing base
improve its technology in a high-cost environment.
“Students who have had co-op experience usually are ideal
candidates for the firms engineer-in-training program,” he
said.
Students meeting Toyota representatives seemed excited
about making early connections that could lead to permanent
employment once the companys Mississippi plant opens in
2009.
Other businesses represented at the recruiting event
included Eaton Aerospace, Raytheon, Viking Range
Corporation, the Corps of Engineers and Memphis Light, Gas
and Water.
“Career Day has given me a great chance to meet people
face-to-face as opposed to simply filing an application
online,” said LaShonn Curry, a second-year computer science
masters degree student from Clarksdale. “Just meeting these
people makes me feel Im better prepared and closer to
finding a job once I graduate.”
While the event was especially planned for engineering
majors, other students also were welcome.
“I really appreciate the School of Engineering for gearing
this Career Day toward those of us majoring in information
technology,” said Kasey Harris, a senior management
information science major from Columbus.
As Toyota eyes possible employees, plans for the new Center
for Manufacturing Excellence at UM continue. Consultant
Dennis Cuneo has said that the centers creation is part of
the states $30 million incentive package enticing Toyota to
Mississippi. A major goal of the effort is to produce and
connect a continuous pool of highly qualified graduates
likely to be hired by Toyota, its suppliers and other
manufacturers as engineers, accountants, business managers
and other professionals, Cuneo said.
“The number of companies participating in Career Day this
year more than doubled from last year,” said Kai Fong Lee,
dean of engineering. “The combination of a higher demand
for engineers coupled with Toyotas announced presence and
commitment to its Mississippi operations has significantly
increased the visibility of the university in general and
our engineering programs in particular.”
Scott Kilpatrick, assistant to the dean of engineering for
recruitment and scholarships, said he viewed the day as a
complete success.
“This is the largest group weve ever hosted for the
engineering career fair,” Kilpatrick said. “Hopefully our
students will be able to find post-graduation employment,
internships or co-op opportunities. We also hope that these
companies are able to find the talent for which they are
looking.”
For more information about the University of Mississippi
School of Engineering, call 662-915-7407 or visit
http://www.olemiss.edu/engineering.