The Official Online Newsletter of Pilipino Americans in Science and Engineering at UC Davis

Table of Contents

The Iliad and the Engineer: If Homer were a PASER

Economics 101: Finance for Engineers    

A Brief Word from our Presidents

PASE Starcraft Tournament

What A Journey It Has Been

PASE LET’S BOWL

Credits

The Iliad and the Engineer: If Homer were a PASER

By Barbra Villamor

I know what you’re thinking. If I could write well or had a pressing desire to do so, I would’ve chosen to major in english or history, but definitely NOT science and engineering! But what if I told you that writing is a skill that all employers actively seek in potential candidates? Or that communicating through the written word could mean a promotion in corporate America?

In today’s competitive market, selling your talents/skills is the name of the game (if you want to win, that is)! And nothing is more attractive to a company representative than a college student with a sound technical background AND an ability to express him/herself through writing, whether it be in a report or memo.

If landing that first job or moving up to higher management doesn’t sound like a good enough reason to develop writing skills, here are two myths about the real world and the real facts that dispel them.

ABSOLUTELY FALSE! Scientists and engineers work together to achieve a common goal. Since they work in such a collective unit, it is imperative that they can communicate clearly and professionally to one another through reports and letters. Even an e-mail sent to a co-worker about business matters should be unambiguous and succinct.

Myth #2 : I was never good at writing essays in school and I can’t stand the required English courses! I don’t need them in the real world anyway.

It’s true that your boss may not ask you to write a 10-page paper on the Iliad and the Odyssey, but he/she may request your input on a project. Why not take this opportunity to dazzle him/her with your writing skills. Don’t do it with an inarticulate, rambling essay. Do it with a clear and coherent submission that states your opinions and persuasive reasons to support them. Not only will your superior appreciate your contribution, but he/she will recognize your abilities and worth to the company. Moreover, UC Davis offers scientific and technical writing courses that lets you write about subject matters interesting to you, such as topics in science and engineering.

Bottom-line. You don’t need to win a Nobel Prize for your writing. Just develop your writing skills while you’ve got the chance at Davis. Take that English course you’ve been avoiding or write for PASE.DOC. REMEMBER, in the real world, a well-rounded college student always wins BIG!!!

Avon Angeles working hard on her ECS homework