We stayed at the Grand Sierra Resort (not too shabby), where we attended the opening reception. What a way to start off the week with the WIA –Jazz Band and a replica plane that was brought out on stage  to pump up  the crowd.

On our first full day there, we went on a bus tour of Lake Tahoe and Virginia City. The Sierra Nevada Mountains were breath taking. Our tour guide told us stories of all the celebrities that stayed in the area from Marilyn Monroe to Mark Twain.  Lake Tahoe was truly beautiful to see as it reflected the color of the sky.

Then we were down to business the rest of the week. There was a variety of seminars to attend, so we split up and gathered as much new exciting information as we could to bring back to Pittsburgh. Seminars ranged from Technical careers in aviation to Bridging the Gap in your reactions in work situations.

Kimberly Conrad, Youngstown Campus student, was able to meet us there to accept her AWAM scholarship award sponsored by PIA. Rachel Kieler (Pgh) and Christina Parden (Pgh) were unable to attend, but also received AWAM scholarships sponsored by PIA. Way to go ladies!

Companies are looking for A&P and avionics technicians in both aviation and non-aviation industries.

Companies attending thus far include:

Acutronic- Pittsburgh, PA (www.acutronic.com) manufacturer that fabricates motion platforms used on missile launchers and radar systems

Advanced Acoustic Concepts- Lemont Furnace, PA (www.aactech.com) manufactures systems to detect submarines

Applied Composites and Engineering- Columbus, OH (www.appliedcomposites.com) aviation-grade composites

Bucyrus- Houston, PA (www.bucyrus.com) manufacturer of underground mining equipment

Constant Aviation/Air Services Cleveland- Cleveland, OH (www.constantaviation.com) corporate and regional jet service center

Flight Options/Nextant Aerospace- Cleveland, OH (www.flightoptions.com) corporate jet management

Goodyear Airships- Mogadore, OH (www.goodyear.com) blimp repair and operations

PSA Airlines- Dayton, OH; Charlotte, NC; Canton, OH (www.psaairlines.com) regional airline

US Air Force

If you would like to attend this free event, contact Greg Null at gnull@pia.edu or 412.346.2101 to register.

Hope to see you on the 8^th.

One of the biggest changes revolves around in the numbers. There were less companies hiring last year, but those that were picked up large numbers of our grads (anywhere from five to 15 at a time). This year, more companies are hiring at the rate of one to five graduates per quarter. Regardless, we are delighted that our students are finding jobs out in the world soon after they graduate.