SHPE - Conference 2008 - (Page 30)

C O V E R S T O RY Networking Operation in Chandler, Arizona, is a 20-year veteran at Intel who has been active in developing his own career at the company and mentoring others who follow in his footsteps. “Intel has given me the opportunity to contribute in many different areas of interest and the flexibility to move into different areas and market segments,” Avalos said. He started his career at Intel as a product engineer and worked his way up to become director of marketing. An active member of Intel’s Hispanic Leadership Council and a staunch advocate of Intel’s diversity programs and recruiting efforts, he supports Intel’s participation in the SHPE Conference. Intel also invests more than $120 million in education annually; and, in Arizona, it works closely with the state’s three major universities to increase the number of Latino engineering graduates, funding more than $40,000 in annual scholarships. “Intel is committed to the success of our Hispanic engineers, and we will continue to invest in programs that ensure we attract the best and brightest to our company,” Felix said. Also standing apart from its peers in terms of its economic viability is Scottsdale-based DataSoft, a small, minority-owned firm with 52 employees, mostly electrical engineers. DataSoft develops software and hardware for radio and military systems. The current economics are “sound,” with the firm expanding this year, according to Penny Rogers, Office and Business Manager. DataSoft is looking for electrical engineers with five to 10 years of experience in radio and specific industry experience. “Since we often work on projects directly for the United States military, having this exacting type of experience and military credentials is a win-win for us,” she said. DataSoft is focusing on the engineers who have been laid off by many of the local companies in the same industry. “It’s obviously great for everyone if we can hire those who have been recently laid off, because they are going back to work right away and we might not otherwise have had an opportunity to talk to them or recruit them in any other manner.” Rogers said the firm currently has “more work than we do engineers.” Jose Ramirez, Systems Engineer, agreed. Ramirez has had the opportunity to engage in several marketing efforts, which is outside the traditional engineer’s responsibilities. With the firm expanding and engineers afforded experience outside their the state’s needs. As is the case with other companies in the industry, APS is also challenged with recruiting to replace an aging work force over the next 10 years. “This is a great opportunity for incoming engineers to benefit from highly experienced engineers,” she said. APS recruits to align its business initiatives with engineering disciplines. “APS offers its young engineers opportunities to learn on the job and make personal decisions regarding future career directions, while making lasting, positive and important contributions to the Southwest,” added Shaffer. At the same time, the company’s recruiting efforts aim to mirror the communities it serves and its company-supported volunteer and philanthropic activities. “APS is especially proud of its success to attract Hispanic engineering students to its internship and young engineer programs,” she said. One example of APS’ successful recruiting efforts is Estit Ramirez. As a Sub-Transmission Planning Engineer, he is responsible for the reliable operation of the sub-transmission systems across the entire State of Arizona, excluding the Phoenix metro area. “From the very beginning as a summer intern, I was given a great deal of responsibility,” he explained. In his current position, he has been able to work with multiple departments, where “I have seen first hand the wealth of diversity and talent APS possesses.” Ramirez, who has been with APS for three years, also was allowed to participate in the Loaned Executive Program at Valley of the Sun United Way for three months in 2007. “This experience helped me develop leadership skills while contributing to our community,” explained Ramirez. “I was able to work alongside a diverse group of individuals from companies around the Phoenix metropolitan area for the common goal of improving the quality of life in our community.” Contributing to the Region’s Quality of Life While many regions across the country are experiencing a stunted economy, Arizona and the Greater Phoenix Area have been somewhat shielded by their growing populations and their needs. The expansion of the state and region’s infrastructure will keep engineers in various disciplines in demand. Given Phoenix’s ample work opportunities and its balmy weather, young engineers coming into the work force will find the area hard to resist. ■ SHPE ❘ Conference 2008 To expand electrical infrastructure, APS engineers work on transmission system upgrades and engineering/construction of power lines. disciplines, he said, “DataSoft provides engineers with potential opportunities and future growth.” Utilities: Serving a Growing Market Arizona Public Service (APS), Arizona’s largest and longest-serving utility, provides electric energy to 1.3 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties, including approximately half of the Greater Phoenix Area. APS knows all about growth. The second fastest growing electric utility in the United States with more than 32,000 miles of transmission, distribution lines and underground cable, APS generates and delivers electricity through a mix of coal, gas/oil, nuclear and renewable sources. More than 700 employees of its 7,000strong work force are involved in some aspects of engineering, and its engineers come from electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical, nuclear, environmental, material science and computer systems disciplines. APS engineers are involved in various projects such as development, design, procurement, risk assessment, nuclear maintenance, transmission system upgrades and engineering and construction of power lines and substations. “Because of the emphasis on projects in engineering work at APS, much of it involves multi-disciplinary efforts, some of which can be years in length and involve work with industry consortiums, government agencies and other electric companies,” said Shelly Shaffer, APS’ Talent Acquisition Manager. Despite the current economic climate, the state’s electrical infrastructure requires updating and, at the same time, expansion. “Our growing state and service territory keep infrastructure construction and maintenance high on our priority list,” Shaffer explained, adding that a “robust and innovative” engineering work force will meet 30 Carol Shipman

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of SHPE - Conference 2008

SHPE - Conference 2008 President’s Letter From the Vice President News of Particular Interest to Society Members Calendar Making the Most of the Career Fair Grupos de Afinidad Phoenix Rising Advancing Hispanic Excellence in Technology, Engineering, Math and Science (AHETEMS) 2008 SHPE Conference Program Guide Welcome Letters Highlights Conference Schedule STAR Awards Company of the Year Chapter of the Year Awards Speakers Entertainment Hospitality Suites Advisor Program Professional Program Quick Guide Business Proposal Competition Professional Workshop Descriptions Technical Paper and Poster Competitions AHETEMS Design Competition Extreme Engineering Challenge National Academic Olympiad AHETEMS Teacher Program AHETEMS Pre-College Symposia Corporate Tours AHETEMS Graduate Program AHETEMS Distinguished Lecture Series AHETEMS Deans’ Summit Undergraduate Workshops Quick Guide Undergraduate Workshops Descriptions MUST Scholars Symposium Career Fair Exhibitors Sponsors Hotel and Convention Center Maps Regional Roundup Inner Circle Employer Profiles Advertisers Index

SHPE - Conference 2008

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