BBehrend Beacon February 19.2010 www.thebehrendbeacon.com World and National Engineering News in Brief GE Energy lands Iraq generator deal worth $2OO million ATLANTA - The energy unit of Gen eral Electric announced Wednesday that it would be undertaking two inde pendent power projects in northern Iraq. The projects will involve supplying "power generation equipment and services," according to a press release from GE. GE will supply four Frame 9E gas turbine-generator units for the 500- megawatt, simple-cvcle power plant in Dohuk; and two more to the plant in Sulaimanivah, for a total generating capacity of 750 megawatts. New artificial foot can “recycle energy” for easier walking An artificial foot has been developed that would recycle energy normally wasted while humans walk. The foot uses energy from the heel striking the ground and transfers it to the motion of pushing off with the ankle and toes. A microcontroller reg ulates the proess to ensure that the en ergy is returned just at the right time to give extra “push-off" power. The foot was developed by Art Kuo and Steve Collins, at the University of Michigan departments of Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering. Clemson researchers develop hands-free texting application “If you can’t keep people from doing it, make it safer,” said Clemson profes sor Juan Gilbert, whose research team has developed a hands-free texting ap plication. The application, called VoiceTEXT. would allow drivers to verbally dictate a text message to a Bluetooth headset while keeping their eyes on the road. A survey for the product is online at www.survevmonkey.com sSSX7. A webcomic of romance, sarcasm , math , and language. Engineering Internship availablel ■o x [YwWTEDTOMAICtoU \A SPENCE WIWTNE The Behrend Showcase Looking For a chance to be published? Want the opportunity for a resume bolster? Submit your creations to the Behrend Beacon' ■3£{b*'£J±‘Bf*3 ’.'uln 'fx'Jiidm ?Aw - /VasA sfyrOf • >■* -/rrw»/ .*fcv<, o»r?• - /*x4ty -• rxjf pH,myad imjttAf Am At*&*dftmd itjiff] foimf dmAf-rip/dion n/' inf '. -* t’Juammvatfaty-tyKty tnmai Am aaAmhttmJ as a a/nont m*spessd s>ti*on at at>yPaJd - dm/ tniieJt naatmf GENERAL ELECTRIC • TRANSPORTATION GE CEO Simonelli advises Behrend students l.orenzo Simonelli provided advice for students staring down the barrel of a bleak job market on Monday. Simonelli, the current CEO of GE Transportation, spoke to a packed Samuel R "Pat" Black 111 Conference Center. Those students in attendance came from a variety of backgrounds - business, engineering, communication - but all were united by a common de sire: attaining a job. Since Simonelli's section of GE em ploys over 10,000 people worldwide, he was a prime candidate to answer questions regarding that crucial job seeking programs that many students will soon face. Much of the presentation was ques tion and answer, and students could voice their own concerns as they stared down the job market. “What attracted you to the position as a CEO?" one student asked. “When you are given the opportu nity to become CEO, you take it,” Si monelli responded. His career as a CEO speaks for itself as a success story. Originally from Italy, he has spent time in a variety of nations in various capacities for GE. His last residence was in Budapest, Hungary. He can speak French, Eng lish, Italian, and German after having moved 27 times. Having a second language, or even a third, is very important, he said, be cause it can greatly assist you in mov ing up the corporate ladder. Much of language-learning deals with expanding your own intellect, which Simonelli emphasized as a huge part of moving through a career. He recommended trying for a minimum GPA of 5.2 coming out of undergradu ate studies. Still, when it came down to it. the biggest driving force in Simonelli's ca reer was hard work, he said. ißor THE MOREI frtALVZEDI r, : 070 r ; -o.W r,« -O BJ ire harder it Became TP DEFEND WHifW>C^S. a of tto cuiture ftigi f&itur»»/ **¥l, /v .tt-* • i. _, v “coan .. #*>««*** , ~ • t , * M-* ■* *•*+'+ * _ _ ■■ „ * «<•<*.« I m+H*^*** Photos by Jon Klein / The Behrend Beacon CEO of GE Transportation Lorenzo Si monelli spoke to a large assembled group of students regarding their futures with jobs, careers, and internships. "I'm no different than anyone else,” he said, “I just did hard work. GE is unique because you can start off at an entry-level position, and with hard work, you can work your way to the top." With the economy in a downturn and even GE experiencing difficulties, many students had a bleak view on the job and internship market. That outlook, Simonelli said, “de pends on what businesses of GE you apply for. With engineering, there def initely are opportunities; you just need to apply. There's no doubt we need leaders for tomorrow." For those who might not get hired right away, the operant idea is to main tain focus and effort in getting the po sition. Many complaints he hears from applicants, he said, came from people who applied and were turned down ENOOS£D ARE] W R£SUl5.| 1 X HOPE VOO CAN (fwsohebopc&se. V (tFoe mxk vmHmz. once and then quit. “If you don’t get hired in summer, keep applying, keep at it, and eventu ally you'll get in." So what type of engineers are GE looking for? "All types of engineers, all across the board," he said, “there’s a need for small engineers." For Simonelli, his routine is fairly set, and he knows how to organize his priorities. Position: Materials Engineer - Summer 2010 Employer: Plustikos, Inc. Job Function: Engineering Location: Erie, Pa. Qualifications: Junior/Senior (in Fall 2010), enrolled in a PLET program Deadline: Mar. 26. 2010 Details: Intern will work with internal material testing, including improving and expand ing current systems, processes, and databases; will work with project engineers and material suppliers on alternate material recommendations. Also open to potential part-time employment in Fall 2010 and Spring 2011. Pays $12.00-14.00 per hour. Send resumes to rcooneyfa plastikoserie.com to apply. ,** .iSI * r Engineering Order a subscription to The Behrend Beacon Stay aware of what’s happening on-campus! Get home delivery of The Behrend Beacon, regardless of how far away you might be. Simply fill out this form and mail back to: The Behrend Beacon, 4701 College Dr., Erie Pa. 16563. Perfect for alumni, parents, extended family, friends, and any Behrend faculty, staff, or student living off-campus. To order: Contact our Business Department at 814.898.6488 or contact the Editor at editor@psii.edu. In Erie County*: One month (4 Issues): $4.00 Half semester(7 issues); $7.00 Full semesterf 13 issues): $13.00 Full year(26 issues): $26.00 Outside Erie County*: One month (4 Issues): $6.00 Half semester(7 issues): $10.50 Full semester(l3 issues): $20.50 Full year(26 issues): $39.00 ’Prices cover shipping, labeling, and packaging costs. "I get up early, and leave the office late," he said, saying he had woken up at 4 a.m., having visited Milwaukee be fore his 7:00 speech in Erie. It's all in a day’s work for Simonelli, who was named one of the top CEOs in 2009 as one of Fortune’s 40 under 40. "Being a CEO can be a relatively easy occupation.” he said. “Depend ing, of course, on the quality of the people surrounding you."