Morrison Bridge is Powered by Orange

The lights of Portland’s historic Morrison Bridge turned OSU orange on Monday night to rally the city’s more than 41,000 Beaver alumni in advance of the Dec. 3 Civil War.

Part of OSU’s “Powered by Orange” campaign, the lighting was sponsored by two well-known Beaver Believers – Bob Miller, morning radio host for KPAM, the Portland flagship station of the Beaver Sports Radio Network, and Pat Reser, co-chair of The Campaign for OSU, a $625-million fund-raising effort that has brought more than $540 million in donations thus far. The lights will stay on through the annual football showdown between OSU and the University of Oregon.

As most fans already know, OSU is ranked no. 16 this week in the Associated Press poll, while Oregon is ranked tenth. OSU has won six of its last seven games, Oregon, nine of its last 10. This year’s Civil War winner earns more than bragging rights: A Rose Bowl invitation is on the line.

Morrison Bridge’s lights shone as brightly as Beaver Nation hopes on Monday, with more than 1,000 light-emitting diodes glowing orange under a clear Portland sky. In the best spirit of OSU, known for its environmental values and alternative energy research, the eye-catching display uses only 82 watts of electricity for each of 32 fixtures on the span. Built in 1954, the bridge was formerly illuminated by halide lights that drew 1,000 watts each.

Happy backyard chickens

If you’re in Hillsboro on Saturday morning, Oregon State’s Extension Service is holding a harvest festival at 9 a.m., with a focus on urban poultry. That means…eggs!

James Hermes, Extension poultry specialist, will talk about backyard flocks and how to keep them safe and healthy.Other sessions will be on home food preservation, edible lanndscaping, pest management in food gardens and gardening in the Pacific Northwest. There also will be activities for children.

The event is free and open to the public at the Wasington County Fairplex floral building.

Now, if you’re urban chicken fix needs to be satisfied before Saturday, check out the awesome and informative Urban Chickens blog…they’re on Facebook, too, and their wall has all kinds of great advice from fans on how to raise happy, healthy birds.

And if you’re doubting the appeal of an urban birds, check out a recent NPR piece on their growing appeal. Enjoy!

Beth Appert

Beth Appert, an Oregon State alum with a Master’s in public health with a focus on international health, is working as an AIDS Program Coordinator at Medical Teams International in Portland. An advanced degree from Oregon State helped her land a job in a down economy. In a year, she will move to Mozambique to develop programs there with community organizations. Beth is just one Oregon State graduate who is Solving Global Problems.

Tell me about your position in Portland.

I work at Medical Teams International (MTI) as an AIDS Program Coordinator. In a year, I will be moving to Mozambique to work with our local partner, Kuwangisa. My department at MTI, Technical Services, does a lot of backstopping for different projects to ensure research is done accurately and programs are run effectively. We really try to understand what the people in the area we are working with want and what they feel that they need. Then we partner with community organizations to achieve their goals. Essentially, I am working myself out of a job by empowering local partners to develop, monitor and evaluate their own HIV/AIDS projects.

Why do you think Portland is an ideal area to work in?

I love Portland. People are so open. It is a very practical, realistic and passionate place, and I think that lends to a mentality that is necessary to do what we do. I believe that our work is particularly beneficial to the region because we offer a way for Portland to be connected with people all over the world.

Did you do an internship?

I did an internship with a different non-profit organization and I think my experience there really helped me to get a job.

How did you find a job?

I applied to many organizations in the Northwest as well as overseas. Some positions I didn’t get. But, I think, in the long run, the company I work for is a good fit for me.

How did OSU prepare you for the working world?

At OSU, I worked in teams a lot. When you work with a multi-dimensional team, as I do now, and find the strengths of each individual, you will have a positive outcome. We also covered many international issues in my classes and most of my projects were directly applicable to what I am doing now.

How were you able to set yourself apart from other applicants?

Having a Masters in Public Health (MPH) is a great qualifier. Making connections is essential, as well. Ultimately, having an education combined with some of my life and work skills really paid off.

What advice would you give other OSU students that are about to try and enter the working world?

I think you can find your road by tapping into what you’re passionate about and being determined to find your way. Don’t be afraid to try classes that don’t pertain to your major. Volunteer work also looks great on a resume, is a great way to make connections and works as an avenue to discover whether or not you have chosen the right field.

How do you see the impact you will make within the field of public health?

On a community level, I want to get people involved in a vision for people with HIV/AIDS, so that the same standards are kept regardless of the region. I’m providing technical solutions for projects so they can learn how to flourish on their own. A global impact I would like to have, therefore, is that the job I have won’t be needed anymore not just because others are doing the work, but because HIV/AIDS will be eradicated.

Cory Smith

Even in a challenging economy, Oregon State graduates are managing to find great jobs in the Portland Metro area. Engineer Cory Smith’s Q&A is the fourth in a series that profiles recent OSU grads and how they found their positions.

Who: Cory Smith
Construction Engineering Management
Alumnus Spring ‘09

You just landed a job with Tice Electric Co., in Portland. Can you talk about that?

My job is with the power resources division, which builds electrical substations in support of wind, hydro, and other generation and transmission.

You are a Construction Engineering Management major. What were your goals when you started school?

I did not begin at the University until I was 25. I had been working in construction, and it came to the point when I realized I needed an education. I found that Oregon State had an excellent Construction Engineering Management program. I am excited to have landed here at Tice Electric. I was an intern with Tice last summer, where I worked on several different projects – like the light rail extension on the I-205 South Corridor, an electrical substation connecting to a wind farm in the Columbia River Gorge and a bid for a solar array with a few small wind-turbines near PSU.  It was terrific. Tice Electric is an excellent progressive company full of wonderful people, and I feel very fortunate to be joining the team.

Why is Portland an ideal city to work in as you help to create a more sustainable environment?

In terms of green living, I have heard that Portland has been ranked at the top. Everywhere you turn there are bicycle riders and hybrid cars.  Portland is a very diverse and interesting place to live.

How did you  land your position?

Last spring term, a number of electrical contractors affiliated with the National Electrical Contractors Association came to recruit at the university. They held in informational lecture with interviews the following day.  I attended both, and there were many others students interviewing for the same internships. I received more than one offer and after doing my research and speaking with the Tice, I decided to go with them.

How did you make yourself stand apart from the other applicants?

I think I stood out because I made my personal beliefs and my morals very clear. I want to be a good person and feel good about what I do.  I mentioned this and told them I wanted to work for a company that I felt was making society and the world a better place.

In what ways to you think OSU has prepared you for this position and for the working world?

The Construction Engineering Management program is excellent. The professors care and the class sizes are not too large. The workload is pretty heavy, which forces us, like most engineering students, to be organized. If students are not motivated and self starters they won’t last in the program.

Do you have any advice for OSU students, either in the engineering program or otherwise?

Try to be the best person you can, work hard at what you do, and be helpful when asked.  Also, delayed gratification is quintessential, however challenging it may seem.

Janelle Hyter

Even in a challenging economy, Oregon State graduates are managing to find great jobs in the Portland Metro area. Accountant Janelle Hyter’s Q&A is the third in a series that profiles recent OSU grads and how they found their positions.

Who: Janelle Hyter
Senior in Accounting
Graduation Spring ‘09

Can you tell me about the accounting position in Portland you will soon be starting?

It is a full-service accounting firm called AKT, LLP. They have a variety of niches that they work with, including agriculture and health care. I will be starting in a training position. AKT trains their incoming accountants in both tax and audit, which makes them unique because a lot of firms steer their employees in one definitive direction from the start.

Why is Portland an ideal city to work in?

For me, Portland is comfortable. It is a big city but it has a smaller town feel because you don’t have the hustle and bustle of a lot of bigger cities. I love the people, the culture, and the mindset.

Is your field very competitive in terms of finding a job?

Accounting is a very rewarding field to go into.  It is one of the more resilient industries because it doesn’t matter if the economy is booming or if it is in a recession—people rely on their accountants in both instances.

What steps did you take to get a job?

Getting my face out there is not something that I am very comfortable with. But the accounting department at OSU has a co-ed accounting fraternity—Beta Alpha Psi. Every year they put on “Meet the Firms.” The accounting department here has one of the highest placement rates of their graduates in the country. I think that is due largely to events like this. I had an opportunity to meet about 25-30 firms from all over. I spoke with a couple firms and really hit it off with the people I talked to. Right away I emailed them, and from there I interviewed with them.

What has OSU done to prepare you for the working world?

I think the accounting department staff is incredible. They have some of the smartest professors who I have ever encountered. A lot of the professors have experience so they aren’t teaching just from the book. They are truly gifted and talented. Also, to become a certified accountant, you have to take what is called the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Year after year, OSU has a higher CPA pass-rate than PSU and U of O and often has a higher pass-rate than the national average.

What advice would you give other OSU students or those that are soon-to-be graduating?

Get your face out there. Don’t be afraid and don’t be intimidated. I think in more recent times it is not only the firm that is interviewing the candidate, but also the potential employee is interviewing the firm. You are looking for a perfect fit. There are a lot of opportunities out there and as an employee you have to be just as aggressive as the employers that are seeking you out. You can’t be afraid to seek opportunity. Also, take advantage of professors. What helped me to succeed is the time I spent in office hours—there’s a real benefit to it.

Oregon State pharmacy graduate Scott Nakashimada

Who: Scott Nakashimada
Undergrad degree in general science with an option in pre-pharmacy
Undergrad Alumnus Spring 2005
Graduate Alumnus, Pharmacy, 2009

You recently applied for a pharmacy position in Portland. Can you tell me a little bit about it?

I have been a pharmacy intern with Kaiser Permanente for the last four years. As graduation was approaching, I applied and got a full-time position with them. Now, my plan is to continue interning there for the next couple of months until I take my national board and state law exams to become a licensed pharmacist. After that is taken care of I will transition to a full-time pharmacist with Kaiser.

What were your long-term goals as an undergraduate in general science?

During my senior year in high school I did a health careers program at Beaverton High School. I got to spend some time working in the pharmacy. I liked it, so I pursued it all through college. I got a job at Kaiser as a pharmacy technician and pursued that as I was pursuing my pre-pharmacy requirements. Everything just seemed to fall into place after that.

Is pharmacy a competitive field? How do you think you set yourself apart from others vying for the same position?

There used to be plenty of openings for pharmacists, but now, with the economy and a pharmacy school that opened in Forest Grove, we are competing more.

As a pharmacy student, I tried to be as involved in pharmacy student groups as possible. I try to get my face out there in order to represent myself and OSU. I was the committee chair of a diabetes awareness group, where I was exposed to many different pharmaceutical opportunities. Being involved in the community and working with other pharmacists has allowed me to build relationships. I was constantly told “pharmacy is a small world.” The further I got into school, the more I realized it’s true.

I think it’s about the people you know and making sure you get face-time with them. The benefit of being a student is that you get the opportunity to either intern or volunteer at a lot of pharmacies, hospitals, clinics and health-related industries. Taking advantage of those opportunities to interact, express your interest and, more importantly, meet the right people, is invaluable.

How do you think that OSU prepared you for the working world?

I was able to network quite a bit while I was at OSU. I made many friends and I think that helped me out quite a bit. One of the first things I did was find a professor or advisor who I could think of as a mentor. That helped me do what I needed to do to find the aspect of pharmacy that was right for me. As it turns out, all the professors and staff at the College of Pharmacy have been great mentors to me.

What advice would you offer OSU students?

Anything is possible as long as you set your mind to it and make sure that you put in a good effort.

Anything you would like to add?

Go Beavs!

You can check out a forum featuring Oregon University System Chancellor Georger Pernsteiner, OSU President Ed Ray, PSU President Wim Wiewel and UO Senior VP and Provost Jim Bean. The four will be talking about how they work together to make Oregon universities as competitive and cutting-edge as possible.

We’ve also heard that Byrne will be in Portland for Pedalpalooza June 23. Stay tuned.

Science fiction author Ursula K. LeGuin

Oregon State University philosophy professor Lani Roberts and famous science fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin will be in Portland on June 17 for the next Think & Drink event, a happy-hour discussion sponsored by the Oregon Council for the Humanities.

Le Guin and Roberts will discuss morality and self-deception, those big ideas like how we deceive ourselves in believing what we want both as individuals and collectively as a society. But in case things get too heavy, there will be plenty of beverages to lighten the mood. The event will be held beginning at 6:30 p.m. at rontoms, 600 E. Burnside, Portland.

Le Guin writes fiction, science fiction and fantasy books for young children and young adults, as well as screenplays, essays, and verbal texts for musicians. Many of her major titles have remained in print for more than 40 years, and her writing has been translated into 16 languages. Le Guin has been a finalist for the American Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, and has won a National Book Award, the Kafka Award, and a Pushcart Prize, among others.

Roberts is an associate professor of philosophy at OSU. Among her research interests is the role of individual moral complicity in the maintenance of social injustices. Roberts is an author and the co-editor of “The Journal of Philosophy in the Contemporary World.” Her many honors include two Martin Luther King Jr. Exemplary Service Awards.