University of Idaho Student Lands Job with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Friday, May 9 2008
May 9, 2008 MOSCOW, Idaho – Ty Deschamp spent almost his entire senior year at the University of Idaho trying to find the perfect job. All of his time and effort finally paid off in March 2008 when he was offered a full-time position with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). Deschamp, a Coeur d'Alene resident who completes a degree in business information systems this week, began his search during the fall of his senior year and was interviewed by two companies. No job offers were extended, so Deschamp decided to intensify his search. “I honestly thought with my grades and internship experience that I would receive a job offer in the fall,” Deschamp said. “When I didn’t get one, I decided that I shouldn’t focus my job search on just one company.” Deschamp broadened his search during the spring semester and interviewed with 20 different companies. While it took a lot of time and effort, Deschamp finally was rewarded for his hard work when PNNL offered him a position as project controls specialist in their Richland, Wash., facility. He will be a member of the Project Controls Group that serves as a resource for project management, scheduling projects, planning programs and ensuring that government guidelines are being followed. “I see myself being with PNNL for quite a while,” Deschamp said. “I definitely know this is the right career choice for me. It fits my personality and strengths.” Deschamp interned with the Software Design Group at PNNL the summer prior to his senior year, but when it came time to find a full-time job there weren’t any available in his field at PNNL. Deschamp attended the University of Idaho's Spring Career Expo, where he met representatives from PNNL’s Project Controls Group. “They were at the Expo looking for interns, but I decided to approach them anyway,” Deschamp said. “After talking with the representatives, they agreed to interview me for a potential full-time position.” Deschamp traveled to Richland for a three hour interview with PNNL. The interviewers were so impressed with Deschamp that a full-time position was created and Deschamp was hired. Five weeks after speaking with representatives at the Expo, Deschamp landed his dream job. “I really liked my internship experience there and knew that I wanted to find a job in the northwest,” Deschamp said. “I’m excited to be involved with a non-profit organization and the government.” “Over the last four years, I’ve made a lot of friends and I’m going to miss the people at the University of Idaho," he said. "I had a lot of fun, but I’m ready to move on and start my career.” According to its Web site, PNNL “is one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s 10 national laboratories. PNNL performs research for the DOE as well as government agencies, universities, and industry to deliver breakthrough science and technology.”
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About the University of Idaho
Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.
AC-5/9/08-CAPP
Contact: Joni Kirk, University Communications, (208) 885-7725, joni@uidaho.eduAbout the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.