WEDNEDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024
Swanson School of Engineering (SSoE) Graduate Orientation
"Where Passion Meets Precision"
Congratulations! You are going to be a Pitt Graduate Student in the Swanson School of Engineering (SSoE)!
Embarking on a graduate journey in engineering is a significant and exciting step towards shaping your future and contributing to technological advancements. This orientation website is designed to be your comprehensive guide as you transition into our world-renowned graduate engineering program.
Our mission is to foster a supportive and dynamic environment where you can thrive academically, professionally, and personally. During orientation, we aim to provide you with the resources, knowledge, and connections you need to excel in your studies and future career.
Please find our agenda for orientation below and note that items may change such as room numbers. We encourage you to check back for the most up to date information. We can’t wait to see you on-campus!
Don’t miss out on the chance to refine you resume as well on Friday, August 23rd. This session is designed specifically for Engineering Graduate Students. Details below.
We encourage attendees to utilize Pittsburgh's public transportation including bus lines that service Oakland and various neighborhoods surrounding campus. Uber and Lyft are also available. Parking on-campus will be very limited. Please allow extra time in your commute.
2024 ORIENTATION SCHEDULE
Wednesday, August 21 - On-Campus Events
Swanson School of Engineering School-Wide Graduate Orientation
Time: 9 AM - 1:30 PM
Location: Soldiers and Sailors Ballroom 3rd Floor - 4141 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Dress: Registration begins at 9am and we will be distributing t-shirts for you to wear. Please be sure to arrive early enough to allow time for changing and registration. Wearing the t-shirt is optional, but we like to kick off the year as a unified graduate group.
During this informative part of orientation, you can expect:
Welcome from SSOE Leadership including:
- Our Associate Dean for Graduate Education – Dr. Robert S. Parker
- Our Director of Engineering Student Services & Graduate Ombudsperson – Cheryl Paul, MEd
- Our Director of Graduate Recruitment & Enrollment Marketing – Stephanie Opalinski, MBA
- Our Program Administrator for the Graduate Programs Administrative Director – Tracy Anderson
- For more information on the team members of the Swanson's graduate programs, please visit our Who's Who in SSoE page.
Guidance for Grad Students - A Panel Discussion moderated by Cheryl Paul
- Perspectives within community
- Expectations and feedback from panel
- Address questions & share resources
- Ombuds supports & other opportunities
Academic Integrity – Dr. Katrina Knight (Assistant Professor, Bioengineering & Pitt Engineering Alum)
Professionalism & Graduate Study - Dana Romano, Valerie Kerr (Presenter) & Alicia Olalde (International Opportunities) from our Office of Experiential Learning & Professional Engagement (ELPE)
Safety/COVID Protocol – Dr. Schohn Shannon (Assistant Dean Swanson School of Engineering)
Lunch to immediately follow
Panther Engineer Graduate Luncheon
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Soldiers & Sailors Ballroom - 4141 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Swanson School Department Orientation Breakout Sessions
Start Time: 2:00 PM (End times may vary by department. Times and Room locations all listed below. )
Location: Benedum Hall (BEH) - 3700 O'Hara St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Learn everything you need to know about your specific department at Swanson. Information will include details about:
- Curriculum
- Enrollment
- Advising
- Research
- Faculty
- and more!
Below you will find the locations and start times for your Department's breakout session.
2:00-4:30pm
- 2:00-3:00pm - Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) orientation and mixer for ALL BioE Graduate Students, Benedum Hall, Room 157
- 3:00-4:00pm PhD, MS-Research, and BRIDGE orientation, Benedum Hall, Room 157
- 3:00-4:00pm Professional MS orientation, Benedum Hall, Room 158
- 4:00-4:30pm Continued BRIDGE orientation, Benedum Hall, Room 302K
2:00-4:30pm - All MS & PHD – Benedum 939
2:00-4:00pm – All MS & PHD -Benedum 102
2:00-3:30pm- All MS & PHD – Benedum 226
2:00-4:00pm – All MS & PHD – Benedum 1044
2:00-2:30pm - All MS & PHD – Benedum G29
2:30-4:00 Breakout Sessions:
- Nuclear Engineering - Benedum G28
- Mechanical Engineering - Benedum G29
- Materials Science and Engineering - Benedum G30
- Computational Modeling and Simulation - Benedum G27
2:00-3:00pm MS – Benedum 153 (Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation)
Engineering Graduate Student Organization (EGSO) Welcome Party
Time: 5 PM – 8PM
Location: Benedum Hall Courtyard (outside of the 1st floor lobby entrance)
Questions: Email egso@pitt.edu
Get to know your incoming graduate students as well as current graduate students in SSoE... and who doesn't love free food, pizza, milkshakes, and bubble tea?
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 2024
Craft Your Engineering Story – Industry Resume Tips & Tricks
Time: 12-1pm *Pizza & Salad will be provided
Location: 102 Benedum Hall
Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your existing resume, this workshop is designed to elevate your professional profile and tell your unique engineering story. Have concerns about OPT/CPT? Want to prepare for Fall Career Events? This session is for YOU! Sponsored by our ELPE Team, you will learn the tips and tricks to tweaking your resume as well as meet Valerie Kerr who is your Grad Career & Professional Development Consultant.