Posted on

Caltrans Testers Test Out New Construction Materials Program

They usually test construction materials. But this week, two dozen Caltrans and industry technicians from throughout the state were at Cal State Long Beach to test out a new program to increase quality and reduce delays on construction projects.

Supported by a $1.3 million interagency agreement with Caltrans, and implemented by CSULB, the Joint Training & Certification Program (JTCP) will deliver training and certification for materials testing technicians in the specialties of Hot-Mix Asphalt, Soils and Aggregates, and Portland Cement Concrete.

Asphalt for testingThis week’s two-day pilot class, a combination of seminar and lab, was intended to iron out any wrinkles before the first classes begin early next year. “I hope you have a great experience,” principal investigator Shadi Saadeh, a CSULB civil engineering associate professor, told the testers. “I really appreciate the time you’ve taken to offer your feedback.” Continue reading “Caltrans Testers Test Out New Construction Materials Program”

Posted on

How Automation Is Changing the World, and the Workforce

attendees at engineering lecture

At transportation terminals, automation is boosting productivity and creating safer work environments. In the medical device industry, it’s advancing product development and letting employees learn new technologies. And in aerospace, it’s leading to new manufacturing processes and a future age of autonomous aircraft.

At Thursday’s Fall Engineering Distinguished Lecture, representatives from all three industries shared how automation is changing the world—and the workforce.

“This is one of those topics that is very pertinent—automation, robotics, artificial intelligence—all the things we live with today,” said moderator Rolando Saldana, vice president of engineering at Qualcomm. “Going forward, we’re also seeing that industry is moving forward with automation. And these (speakers) are the folks who are putting together the systems.” Continue reading “How Automation Is Changing the World, and the Workforce”

Posted on

Electrical Engineering Graduate Describes SCE Job as ‘So Much Fun’

When Chandni Mehta left India for New York three years ago, she didn’t speak a word of English. Not only did she have to quickly learn a foreign language but also find a place to live and a way to get to New York University—all on a budget.

She’d been told that NYU fees would be $4,500 per semester, but once she arrived found they’d be more than twice that. Mehta found housing, but the $30 cab ride to NYU was beyond her means.

“In India for that, you could travel to two or three cities and have a nice lunch,” she said. “But I couldn’t go back because my parents sent me here to live my dreams.” Continue reading “Electrical Engineering Graduate Describes SCE Job as ‘So Much Fun’”

Posted on

Dean Receives NAACP Higher Ed Award

Long Beach State College of Engineering Dean Forouzan Golshani will receive the NAACP’s Higher Education Award at the Founder’s Celebration Dinner on Nov. 2. Long Beach State University President Jane Close Conoley was the recipient of the Higher Education Award in 2015.

“I am very honored to be recognized with this distinction,” said Golshani, who has served as the college’s dean since 2007. “I am both personally and professionally dedicated to equality. At Long Beach State, we work hard to ensure that each of our students, who come from diverse backgrounds, has an equitable opportunity to excel in their engineering education.”

Carmen Taylor, Long Beach State Vice President of Student Affairs, is also being recognized, with the Zelma Lipscomb Award. Besides honoring area individuals, the Founder’s Celebration Dinner generates funds for programs supported by the NAACP’s Long Beach branch, including the MESA Schools Program. Continue reading “Dean Receives NAACP Higher Ed Award”

Posted on

Making the Most of Career Fairs

A year ago, Electrical Engineering majors Daniela Bosze and Jose Gomez were in the same position as the 70 students who attended Tuesday’s Southern California Edison information session—wondering how to make the most of career fairs.

Bosze and Gomez attended the Edison info session last year, and stopped by the Edison booth at the fall Engineering Job & Internship Fair. Although Bosze said she hadn’t yet taken any classes in power, she expressed an eagerness to learn. Gomez hadn’t taken power classes either, but spent time before the job fair getting up to speed.

“You have to convey the message that you’re trying to learn,” said Bosze, who, like Gomez, is now a year-round Edison intern. Continue reading “Making the Most of Career Fairs”

Posted on

Southern California Gas Company Teams Show Off Senior Projects

Reducing emissions from gas grills and pasta cookers. Finding a cost-effective method to detect methane leaks in residential walls. Developing a tool that can return compressed pipes to their original shape.

These were some of the technical problems that students tackled as part of the CSULB College of Engineering’s partnership program with the Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas).

“This is a win-win opportunity,” said Hal Snyder, SoCalGas Vice President of Human Resources, Diversity, and Inclusion “Students obtain practical experience, and you’re actually working on things that can help our company.”

The four-year-old CSULB program is led by Rodger R. Schwecke, SoCalGas Senior Vice President of Gas Transmission and Storage. Schwecke, a 1983 B.S. in chemical engineering graduate, said, “It’s great to see these bright engineering students take an idea from concept to physical demonstration, with supporting test data to show results.  Ideas such as addressing the ovality of plastic pipe prior to connections, that can turn into commercially viable applications to help our business.” Continue reading “Southern California Gas Company Teams Show Off Senior Projects”

Posted on

CECEM Grads Recognized for their Achievement at Department Event

Students graduating from the Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management Department were recognized for their achievement Monday at the CECEM Department Graduation.

“Today’s event is organized for you to have another chance to meet with your faculty,” said Dean Forouzan Golshani. “On behalf of the faculty and staff of this university, we salute you as peers.”

David Callis ‘88, a Senior Vice President at Swinerton Builders, and Jeff Goodermote ‘10, director of Parking Structures at Swinerton, received CECEM Distinguished Alumni Awards. Callis and Goodernote both graduated from CSULB with degrees in Construction Engineering Management. Continue reading “CECEM Grads Recognized for their Achievement at Department Event”

Posted on

Northrop Grumman Holds Resume Workshop for Military Veterans

DSC_0274In the military, the unit is more important than the individual, said Northrop Grumman’s D.N. “Doc” Massard. But that’s not the case in private industry, where you must stand out as an individual to get hired.

A Northrop Grumman military recruiter, Massard was at CSULB Thursday to provide resume advice for engineering students who are military veterans. The company also supports a study room where the College of Engineering’s 120 veteran students can gather. Continue reading “Northrop Grumman Holds Resume Workshop for Military Veterans”

Posted on

Engineering Panel Explores Future of Southern California Aerospace

Virgin Orbit's Launcher One

Speakers at the CSULB College of Engineering lecture Thursday voiced optimism that the region’s skilled workforce, livability, manufacturing facilities, and efforts to draw new companies will help Southern California remain a vibrant location for aerospace.

P2S Engineering Vice President Kent Peterson, who moderated the spring Engineering Distinguished Lecture, said his father transferred from Pratt & Whitney to take a job at Douglas Aircraft in Southern California. “I don’t work in aerospace, but I can tell you my life has been affected by it,” he said. “The aerospace industry was a giant in Southern California. We did most of the country’s manufacturing.” Continue reading “Engineering Panel Explores Future of Southern California Aerospace”

Posted on

Spring Engineering Lecture to Address Future of Aerospace in Southern California

Layer using a transparent effect and mixed mode.EPS10.0

This month’s Engineering Distinguished Lecture will address a topic of concern to many in the region: the future of the aerospace industry in Southern California.

The rate of decline in Southern California’s aerospace manufacturing has been significantly higher than the rest of the nation. With full airplane assembly practically gone from California, there is little incentive for the vast aerospace supplier base to stay in the region. Unless proactive measures are implemented rapidly, there is a strong possibility that the high rate of migration may continue. The region must create an appropriate public-private partnership model as the basis for an ecosystem that will support the revival of this industry in Southern California. Continue reading “Spring Engineering Lecture to Address Future of Aerospace in Southern California”