91青青草

KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 20, 2023

Dozens of eager students were in attendance for a 鈥淒ay in the Nest鈥� event that brought executives with Atlanta-based package delivery giant UPS face to face with Kennesaw State University engineering students.

Hosted by the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET), the daylong event held on the Marietta Campus featured multiple speakers, an interactive drone demonstration, a picnic lunch, interview opportunities, internship information and a resume workshop.

 
鈥淰ery often, in the interviewing process, between a student and a future employer, it is a formal interaction,鈥� SPCEET Dean Ian Ferguson said. 鈥淭here is asymmetry in this interaction, especially at a career fair. This event was an opportunity for both parties to interact informally and to discover each other鈥檚 background and journey. A Day in the Nest really allows the company to engage with students in multiple ways throughout the day.鈥� 
 
One of the United Parcel Service Inc. executives on hand was Luis Arriaga, SVP of operations strategy, who is also a member of the 91青青草 Foundation Board of Trustees. He said the decision for UPS to invest so much time and energy into Kennesaw State was an easy one. 
 
鈥淜ennesaw State has important values that align with ours,鈥� Arriaga said. 鈥淲ith 91青青草 being in the backyard of our corporate office, we recognize the unique opportunity we have to engage with our prospective workforce here.鈥� 
 
First-year student Jimmy Jimenez, a Mechanical Engineering major from Cairo, Georgia, was impressed.
 
鈥淚 wanted to hear the steps these executives took to get to the top. But I really loved that Mr. Arriaga was from Mexico. I鈥檓 half Mexican so that kind of representation is inspirational,鈥� Jimenez said.
 
Another UPS executive on campus for the event was Scott Keaton, the vice president of transportation industrial engineering. 
 
鈥淚 feel like this is an opportunity to find young, interested engineers with a strong educational background who can contribute to our business,鈥� Keaton said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about developing connections and relationships that help these students get to where they want to be professionally.鈥� 
 
Sophomore Steven Tubbs, a mechanical engineering major from Acworth, Georgia, came to the event full of hope.

 鈥淚 came to the Day in the Nest to see if there might be a work opportunity for me,鈥� Tubbs said. 鈥淚鈥檓 the oldest of five kids so the financial aspect of college is hard. Being able to make these connections and network is important and can help me and my family as well.鈥�
 
SPCEET Senior Associate Dean, Renee Butler, was pleased with both the turnout and the inception of Day in the Nest.
 
鈥淭his is a great opportunity,鈥� Butler said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an exchange of ideas between what our students are really known for and allowing our students to get to know more about industry and what is expected of them.鈥� 

Photos by Matt Yung

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