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:  We will be distributing t-shirts for you to wear but make sure to arrive early to ensure time for registration at 9am and to change. No pressure to wear if you do not choose to, 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 Associate Dean for Graduate Education – 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 (Grad Co-Op) & 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.

 

Bioengineering

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

 

Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

2:00-4:30pm - All MS & PHD – Benedum 939

 

Civil and Environmental Engineering

2:00-4:00pm – All MS & PHD -Benedum 102

 

Electrical and Computer Engineering

2:00-3:30pm- All MS & PHD – Benedum 226

 

Industrial Engineering

2:00-4:00pm – All MS & PHD – Benedum 1044

 

Mechanical and Materials Science Engineering

2:00-2:30pm - All MS & PHD – Benedum G29

2:30-4:30 Breakout Sessions:

  • Nuclear Engineering - Benedum G28
  • Mechanical Engineering - Benedum G29
  • Materials Science and Engineering - Benedum G30
  • Computational Modeling and Simulation - Benedum G27

 

Sustainable Engineering

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 Graduate Engineering Career Coach.