Photo by Dmhd Cony
Spectra Physics praters graduates from OSU tor engineering positions, but more and more Unvarsity graduates are finding fobs in high-tech Industry.
A graduate’s last best hope for a career
High technology industries can’t get enough
graduates in computer-related programs from the
University and other Oregon schools
But those companies say they still must recruit
elsewhere because Oregon schools don't have the
money for program expansion.
"From what I have seen for high technology, the
University of Oregon is as good — if not better — than a
lot of schools," says Randy Massengale. a recruiter for
Tektronix, the Portland-based computer firm.
Out of 40 computer scientists hired at Tektronix last
year, about 20 percent came from Oregon schools and
half that percentage were University graduates. Mas
sengale says.
So far this year, 40 percent are coming from
Oregon schools, Massengale says Freshly hired em
ployees can expect a starting salary of $24-$25,000 —
"a pretty substantial sum,” he adds
Tektronix prefers Oregon State University for its
engineers, because the University doesn't have an
engineering program, he says
Massengale says Tektronix will continue hiring
from the University "as long as the programs continue
to grow.” If programs are cut severely, professors may
leave for the private sector, and equipment may grow
outdated, he says
His advice to students interested in some area of
the high technology industry is to take related courses
such as computer science.
“You have to interface with high technology people
no matter what you want to do,” he says.
At the University, that may be easier said than done
Computer and Information Science department
head Steve Hedetniemi says he expects 800 students to
sign up for CS 201, the beginning computer science
course.
"We re only going to be able to handle 160,”
Hedetniemi says “We know the demand is there, but
we don't know how to get the faculty and equipment "
While some computer science graduates are hired
by Oregon high tech industries, such as Tektronix,
Hewlett Packard and Intel, “a notable number” are
recruited by firms in California's Silicon Valley, where
"the demand is just tremendous," Hedetniemi says
He estimates the CIS department would need about
$600,000 to hire nine new faculty members and eight
graduate teaching fellows as well as to purchase new
equipment
"The state simply doesn't have the resources" to
provide that kind of funding, Hedetniemi says The state
board did give the University, OSU and Portland State
University, $120,000 to be divvied among the three for
computer science and engineering program develop
ment. he says
The University does a good job preparing business
majors for high technology industries, Massengale
says. “It's the only school in Oregon we recruit for
MBAs (Masters of Business Administration).”
“The University stacks up well against some of the
better, major business schools." such as Harvard and
the University of Southern California, he says
Hewlett Packard, located in Corvallis, also'hires
mainly computer science and business management
graduates from the University, while recruiting en
gineers from OSU, says Patricia Moore, a personnel
manager for the company
Graduates with double-barreled credentials, such
as a bacclaureate degree in a technical field and an
MBA, have a better chance of finding employment with
Hewlett Packard, which recruits for its nationwide
offices, Moore says
Hewlett-Packard is working with the University’s
computer science department and the business school
to develop closer ties with high technology, says Moore
"I think there's a lot ot interest and exchanging of
information,” she says
Spectra Physics, which located in Eugene about
two years ago. recruits more Oregon graduates in
technical fields from OSU's engineering school, says
Steve Bissell. employee relations manager
But the company did hire a University computer
science graduate, who had three years work exper
ience, and recently, Spectra Physics recruited a
University MBA as accounting supervisor, Bissell says
Another half-dozen Spectra Physics employees are
taking University business or computer science
courses, he adds
He says the University was 'definitely a benefit'' in
the company's decision to locate here
Spectra Physics contracts with local manufactur
ing companies and plans to hire a summer intern,
Bissell says More high technology industries moving
into the Eugene-Springfield area would generate in
creased personnel and information exchange of this
type, he says
Jim Crowder, of Wang Laboratories in Eugene,
says the University needs to place more emphasis on
attracting high technology industry
Acknowledging the University's budget con
straints, he says the resulting belt-tightening is a ' a
vicious circle that could give the wrong signals to
high technology industries ”
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