The Wire Up

Listen while you read: Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma

If your looking to start building a project on your own, you know how expensive it can be to buy parts. Even if they are from digi-key. Buying in bulk is obviously not going to option for the hobbyist or for students of electronics. This is also the case for companies who are looking into solutions for a product they may be developing. This is why most manufactures offer free samples, even to us wannabe engineers! Its almost a mandatory step I do when starting a project. Try the Maxim-IC webpage here, or the National Semiconductor webpage here. You can search through all the samples that either manufacturer is offering. Surprisingly most manufactures are very prompt in shipping samples and, if you like, you can have them shipped quicker if you foot the extra cost in shipping. Now, manufacturers don't offer every IC as a sample, but there are some great ones out there and will certainly save you from purchasing something you didn't really want.

Please tell me about your experience with electronic samples. What was your favorite free sample?

Technorati Tags: samples project electronics students IC free shipping

Listen while you read: Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire

Yes, the rumors are true I have started tutoring again and this time its not only Electrical Engineering classes I am also going to be tutoring Building Construction Management classes too. Despite my broad base of skills only electrical related BCM classes for the time being. Having worked 5 years as a draftsman and a summer working for a contractor I think I have the experience necessary, who am I kidding. Even though the Technology Department is very long on tutors and very short on students needing tutors, no one would like to tutor this class. So of course I volunteered, we'll see how it goes. I wonder if he'll be able to tell I haven't taken the class or should I tell him up front. Hmmm...posts will follow.

I find that tutoring is very rewarding for both parties. Its obvious that its beneficial to the student, but its a great way for an upperclassmen to relearn those subjects you have now almost completely forgotten, from all the drinking and or over-nighters you've pulled. Even in job interviews it can really impress your potential employer, that one, you have been a tutor, and two, you did really well on their basic electronics quiz because just got done explaining what a encoder and decoder was to your 109 student. It also just feels rewarding, your contributing to someone's success and future successes no matter how far into the future. Mind Blowing!

I know these last couple of postings have been a little off topic, but I hope these sorts of things will become periodic discussions. As this blog begins to find its purpose and meaning I will try to better aim my postings towards the readership. However, first you all have to start reading and leaving comments for me to better understand what you want. Right now I'm trying to establish who I am and also work on my writing skills as a blogger. I'm turning into a "ranter" or whatever you would call a person who rants. Please stay tuned, because with you and little bit of me, we're going to change the world of electronics one post at a time.

I feel like I should update you on the project since that is the reason I started this blog in the first place. Well, tonight I started to develop some of the code for the LCD. At first I was only able to write 2 characters to the screen. I then took out the two commands to the LCD that I had been using to erase the screen. It then began writing all of the characters I sent it. I think I have been writing the wrong commands, I guess I should go back and take a look at the data sheet again. Little progress tonight but things are only starting to heat up. Things are going to get interesting soon I promise. Good night all.

Technorati Tags: building construction management electronics electrical engineering elctronic project tutoring interviews tutor students

Listen while you read: Bob Marley - Stir it Up

Sparkfun now carries a simple Alcohol Gas Sensor, amazing!! Wouldn't it be great just to be sure your safe before you start driving home. Wow, I want this so bad! I can think of all the drinking games I wanna play now.

Listen while you read: Albert Hammond Jr. - GfC

Ugh, looking for a job will give you a stress induced coma. The first thing I hate about job searching is having to prove yourself to everyone that your the perfect candidate. For a few of you it might be a normal day, the rest of us scream and weep with our heads between our legs. Second, no matter how many interviews I go to I still get nervous and scatter brained. I always get the gut wrenching feeling that I'm about to dive off a cliff.

The key is to start attending job fairs in your first few years of college. Yes I'm telling you to embrace the madness. Take the plunge early by going to job fairs and just practice talking with the representatives there. Don't worry so much about how to impress them, that only comes by building your resume with experience, focus on starting conversations with them and make sure to ask plenty of questions. Most employers take this as a sign of interest. You want to show personality and character, every employer is searching for a specific skill set but if you impress them with your character you have a much better chance of getting called back. I can tell you that the nerves never go away, but the more you attend job fairs and interview the more likely you will not make mistakes because you are nervous. Try your best to learn from your mistakes early on by talking to a friend after job fairs and interviews to see if you can correct your mistakes. OHHH yes, talk to your friends, share experiences and don't do it alone!!

EE Template Resume

The template above will give you an example of how a well accepted resume should look. Not every employer is looking for this style but I have been complemented many times on its look. Remember KISS. Simple is always best.

Another friend of mine also sent me his resume which is quite different from mine. He uses multiple pages to detail many of his classes and projects while a student. Multiple pages is something for a "Monster" submitted resume. Computers scan those resumes for keywords and it obviously helps to have a longer resume. I would not recommend monster to any one but apparently my friend got a job using his resume so I think I might give it another whirl. Another reason to use an expanded resume would be for the first "Technical" interview you have. This is usually with an engineer and they like to see what types of classes you have taken. However, lets make one thing clear if you walk up to a potential employer with 5 pages of a resume in hand they are going to thank you and then TOSS it. They don't have time to pour through your resume, they could have read 4 more. One page MAX. Shrink the font down to size 8 if you have to and do your best to keep things organized but don't use two pages. If your going over two pages at size 8 font you need to cut some stuff out.

This is all just advice guys, but its not the usual advice like talk slow and relax type of bull. I've been going to job fairs since my sophomore year. I have been to many job interviews and really it seems that the closer you get to graduation the more employers will be knocking at your door. However, if you start early you'll have a big advantage. One last tip: Keep all the business cards you collect, you'll never know when your going to have to look for another job in this economy. Good Luck job seekers.

Technorati Tags: electronic electrical engineering resume template elctronic project job fairs interviews monster resume potential employers