NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University students in the Department of Engineering Technology, as well as recent graduates of the program, participated in Engineering Technology Career Day Sept. 30 where they networked with faculty, peers and industry representatives. About 35 students participated.
“A central component of the program was a career talk and panel discussion featuring distinguished guests Mr. Phil Rider of Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, Mr. Joel Byram of RoyOMartin and myself,” said Dr. Shahriar Hossain, head of the Department of Engineering Technology. “The panelists addressed the importance of essential and professional skills for early-career engineers, with particular emphasis on communication, teamwork, adaptability and problem-solving. The discussion was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session that allowed students to engage directly with the speakers and gain further insight into industry expectations.”
Following the panel discussion, representatives from RoyOMartin, CLECO and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center conducted on-campus interviews to identify qualified candidates for internships and full-time employment opportunities.
“By combining professional development with direct recruitment, the 2025 Career Day reinforced the Department’s commitment to preparing students for successful careers in engineering technology and strengthening partnerships with regional industry,” Hossain said.
Information on NSU’s Department of Engineering Technology is available at https://www.nsula.edu/program/engineering-technology/.