Engineering and Computer Science Career Services

Alumni mentorship is critical to the future success of Engineering and Computer Science students, and the strength of our alumni network is one of our most important assets. The ability to connect students with alumni from across the spectrum of professional engineering and computer science fields is invaluable as they prepare for life after graduation.

What is FIRSTHAND?

Firsthand is an online platform that supports students (mentees) in achieving their unique short and long-term professional development goals by allowing them to meet with alumni mentors for one-on-one advice in areas like career development, academic success, networking, and more!

Firsthand automates the mentor matching process and is available 24/7 for access by mentees and mentors to meet virtually within Firsthand. After alumni mentors set up their availability and choose what topics they are willing to meet on, mentees can request to meet with mentors for a 30-minute session based on this availability.

Your privileged access lets you join as a mentor, a mentee, or both.

Getting started is easy!

1. Activate your account by setting up a profile.
2. Get matched with Mentees and/or Mentors (depending on your preference).
3. Connect with your Mentees and/or Mentors by phone or chat.

If you are a current student or an Engineering and Computer Science alum, click here to join!

For detailed instructions, visit the Career Services Resources website.

Please contact ECS Career Services at ecscareers@syr.edu with any questions and thank you for activating your mentor/mentee account with Firsthand!

FAQs

How soon will I be contacted by a student to schedule a meeting?

Once you create your profile in Firsthand, set your availability, and select the meeting topics you are willing to engage with (resume review, career exploration, mock interview, etc.), mentees may contact you in a week, a month, a year, or not at all. It is important to set expectations that the Firsthand platform is just that—a self-selecting matching tool. By nature, it is hit or miss, but the more ECS alumni we have registered on the platform, the better chance our students will have of establishing meaningful connections.

What makes a good mentor?

A mentor’s role is to ask good questions, to listen, to challenge their mentee’s thinking, to clarify and support their short-term goals and longer-term aspirations, to play Devil’s advocate, and to encourage their development. As a mentor, you will offer opinions and ideas by referencing your personal experiences, provide honest and appropriate feedback, and help students build their networks by leaning on your own.

Mentoring Tip:

When connecting with students or recent grads, it is sometimes easy to forget what it was like to be at their stage of life. These young adults are new to the job market and, in many instances, have not yet had the experiences that have made you, their mentor, into the consummate professional. From time to time, you may be approached by a mentee in a way that you feel is inappropriate or not quite the way you would have done it.

Use that as a teachable moment—let them know from an employer’s perspective how they come across. The mentee is looking to you for guidance and if what they need is another reminder on how to connect for professional networking purposes, please offer your advice. If at any time you come across a mentee who is remarkable in their lack of professional decorum, please let us know so we can work with the student as well. Sometimes, it takes a village.

Career and Internship Fairs

Many employers have filled internships, co-ops and full-time positions as a result of attending the College’s fairs.

Job Postings

The College uses the University’s Handshake system to sign employers up for posting jobs. For more information on how to get started in Handshake, please visit the Handshake Help Center.  

Connecting Directly with Students

Employers are welcome to visit the College to connect with our students throughout the year. We value relationships with our industry partners and are open to working with each employer to offer creative events to network with students and build your brand within our college. To learn more about ways you can connect with our students, read about our Employer Partnership Program.

The College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) has limited funding available to support participation in professional and career development experiences.  

Eligibility

Support has been allocated for both ECS undergraduates and master’s level students.  Master’s level students who are presenting at a conference should work with their faculty advisor or PI and academic department for funding Students must be 18 years of age or older.

Students can receive support from the College for one opportunity per academic year.

Students should not expect to be fully funded by the College and will need to demonstrate a plan for covering any remaining gap in funding for a request to be considered.

Support Available

Decisions are subject to funds available at the time of request. 

What will be considered:

• Registration Fees (exam, conference, etc.)
• Hotel at a conference
• Airfare, bus, or rail to/from opportunity

What will NOT be considered:

• Food
• Transportation other than airfare, bus, rail ticket (ex: personal vehicle, rental car, Uber/Lyft, etc.)
• Expenses not directly related to the opportunity

Our engineering and computer science students are in high demand. We connect students with internships, co-op positions, and full-time opportunities from day one. 

Get Real-World Experience: 

Internships and co-ops are transformative. Our students work in their field while still in school, gaining practical skills that make them competitive in the job market. Many employers convert their summer interns into full-time hires—and we help make that happen. 

Your Career Roadmap: 

Career planning looks different each year. From freshman networking to senior job searches, we guide you at every stage with personalized support, resume workshops, mock interviews, industry tours, and direct access to employers through our semester career fairs and events. 

Support When You Need It: 

Meet one-on-one with your assigned career advisor, drop in during office hours, attend preparation workshops, or shadow industry professionals. We're here to help. 

Ready for Details? For comprehensive career planning timelines, specific resources, and step-by-step guidance for each class year, visit our SharePoint site.