Website creation pays

Eddie Orellana, Computer Science junior, answered the call from Ray Semplinski to help out the local political organization with their website.  This was a project for pay but more importantly Eddie knew it was an opportunity to put a real world bullet on his resume.  Ray knew he could count on St. Francis students since he’d hired two of them to develop a website about four years ago.  

In a meeting with Ray and one of the town clerks, they mentioned they liked the look of a page from another political organization and wanted something similar.  They knew they wanted a Donation Page and a general info page.

Eddie created a web site with three simple pages on it.    The customers were very happy with the finished product.  They mentioned that after the "win" they would like some content added and changed.

Eddie was delighted to have his first professional website creation to add to his resume. 

Eddie transferred to USF in Fall 2012, a great way to complete his first year here.  And it's getting paid isn't bad either!

 

Networking to the 6th power!

You're invited.

We're hosting our Sixth Annual Computer Science Department Student/Alumni Event on

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

6:30 PM - 8 PM

Room A102

St. Albert's Hall

It's our sixth time around!  It's always a lot of fun. A great chance to reconnect with others who went to USF (or College of St. Francis). We have a new crop of students, so once again we're asking our alumni to talk about the interview and resume process for those who are looking for Programming or IT jobs.   And we'd like you to share your experiences.  We value your knowledge and expertise!

Based upon alumni suggestions, students should bring their resumes so they can get expert advice on how to best present a good technical resume.  If we have students and alumni who'd like to participate we can also hold mock interviews. 


There will also be time to meet and chat with everyone.  You can look forward to another fun evening.

Some topics we'll cover in our meeting are:

• What works on a technical resume.
• What should a candidate emphasize on a resume
• What should be in a cover letter.
• Questions that interviewers ask.
• Questions candidates should ask.
• Information that a candidate should have about the company before an interview.

Anything else you think would be relevant is also welcome.

This is an informal discussion, a sharing of insights and tips, so we'll provide some snacks and beverages.

We would really like to have you join us to share your knowledge.   Because of the informal nature of the program, please consider dropping in even if you can't make it right at 6:30 PM or if you have to leave early.

It will be a fun, interactive experience and a chance to see old friends. 

We'll announce the Joan Nahas Ramuta Award winner and our department winner for the Meritorious Service Award. 

Please let us know if you can join us.

An app for everywhere!

Thanks to USF alumnus, Lea Kuhn, and Web App Dev Senior,  Jarrod Cupps, for a great learning experience as they showed us how accessible CSS and HTLM5 can be and then how to turn HTML5 into Mobile applications that can be generated across all platforms including iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and Windows.    

At this very well attended talk, they showed us the code that could be generated and even had an app out there for anyone to download.   The app created runs as a standalone app, so the user doesn’t realize that it was generated using HTML5.   Because the app is created once and then can be generated across many mobile phone environments the developer's productivity rises.

The audience was walked through how to modify HTML5 and CCS code and got to see the results of their changes.  They were able to try out the app on the screen and then download it to the phone if they wanted.

If you’d like to see the presentation, the slides, including links to the demonstrated app,  please click here:  http://tinyurl.com/html5ppt

Pictured:  Jarrod Cupps and Lea Kuhn

If you want to learn more about creating these apps we have two classes coming up.  Comp 241 Web Programming Languages will teach you about the basics about using the languages to create web environments and more!   Then with those skills in hand, you can take our new topics course, Comp 494 HTML5 and Mobile Apps, which will be taught by Lea Kuhn, to go to the next step. 

Lea Kuhn  is an independent consultant who also has a background in education.   Jarrod Cupps has been involved in working web pages, robotics, and mobile apps as a student here.  USF Computer Science thanks them for sharing their knowledge and skill.  Our people make the difference in technology!

HTML 5 Mobile App event

Want to create your own mobile App?

Come learn how HTML5 can let you develop apps that work across Android, iPhone, Windows, & Blackberry.    Get a taste of what you can do on a mobile environment.

There will be an opportunity to do some hands on HTML5 development.

Lea Kuhn, Instructional Designer and Consultant and Jarrod Cupps, USF Web Application Development Senior will be presenting.   

Join us at the March 13, 2013, 6 PM - 7 PM A102, St Albert’s Hall

For more information contact Ruth Weldon, 815-740-4286, rweldon@stfrancis.edu

Robotics Camp led by USF CompSci student

Thanks to Jarrod Cupps, Web Application Development major, who has been working this summer teaching robotics at the USF Solutions kids camps program.  There’s been a lot of fun and opportunity for these young people to get introduced to robotics and programming.  Jarrod taught classes using various Lego® robotics products, including Wedo and Mindstorms.


There were six different classes aimed at various age ranges and skill levels.  Opportunities were there for students K- 12.  

 

Great work, Jarrod.




If you have an internship, job, or other activity you'd like to share, please contact Ruth.  I'd love to add it to our department blog.
  

Graduation's Here

 

On May 5th, seven Computer Science department students walked down the aisle to receive their diplomas.  A lively group prepared for the ceremony.

From Left to right:  James Bowman, Kevin Healy, Megan O'Brien, Jason Kryst, Mitch Cannon, Matt Strama

  There were a lot of happy faces after the ceremony.  Kevin Healy and Megan O'Brien received the degree of Bachelor of Science, Computer Science.  James Bowman and Daniel Zarycki received the degree of Bachelor of  Science, Information Technology.  Mitchell Cannon and Matthew Strama received the degree of Bachelor of  Science, Information Technology, Network Specialist, and Jason Kryst received the degree of Bachelor of  Science, Web Application Development.  

 Dan, Mitch, Matt & Jason will continue with the companies where they have worked as students. Kevin, Megan & James are looking for new opportunities.   

Join us in congratulating them and wishing them well.  

        

Dinner, Dancing, Graduating

On May 4th two of our graduating Computer Science Department students attended the Commencement Dinner held at the 150 West Banquet Facility in Joliet.  Dan Zarycki, Information Technology, and Jason Kryst, Web Application Development, had a great time with other students, especially a group of students with whom they attended Plainfield High School.

Jason was honored by the Alumni Association as an outstanding student for his contributions at USF by working, among other things, on the Greening of the Campus site and the Recreation Administration internship site project.