First-Year Student Transition & Engagement

First-Year Student Transition & Engagement

• FYSTE Services and Events
• Academic Support 
• Professional Development & Career Services
• Community 

The Whitacre College of Engineering First-Year Student Transition and Engagement (FYSTE) is a program that supports you as an incoming first-year student by providing resources, workshops, professional communication and development, and scholarship opportunities to ensure your success in the engineering discipline. The program aims to increase retention in engineering and provide a jump start with professional communication needed for the job search. In the fall semester, FYSTE focuses on arming you with the skills and resources to succeed academically while leading you through the typical events that happen through a semester. The spring semester shifts to a professional communication and career preparation emphasis.

FYSTE has three critical areas of focus: academic support, professional development/career services, and community. These areas are designed to help you succeed in the Whitacre College of Engineering, college life and the engineering industry. Participation in these events earns points that will allow you to be considered for special scholarships through the CPCEED program.

Academic Support

Academic support covers strategies for success in the realm of academics, including tutoring and funding resources for classes, preparation for graduation requirements, and workshops such as study skills and time management.

• Tutoring - Beyond getting good grades, it is essential that you can fully learn and understand the material being taught in your classes. Tutoring is an essential key to your success in engineering. There are a variety of opportunities available to you for active participation in tutoring sessions through the TTU Learning Center, Departments, Honor Societies, and/or EOC. All options are available at no cost to you and at convenient times to assist you in your studies.
• Supplemental Instruction –Supplemental Instruction (SI) offers free, peer-led review sessions for historically difficult courses. SI Leaders are peers who have demonstrated academic mastery in the course and prepare weekly review sessions by attending lecture, taking notes, and meeting with the course instructor. A schedule will be sent out once it is finalized at the beginning of each semester. Active participation in SI is a great way to boost your confidence and understanding in some of the more challenging courses you will take.
• Professor/Instructor/TA Office Hours – Getting to know your professor, instructor, and/or your TA is not only important to do well in your classes, but it is also a great networking opportunity and valuable resource academically and professionally.
• Workshops – Workshops will occur throughout the semester to provide timely information for you. Workshops cover topics like study skills, time management, stress, funding, the International Experience Requirement, and more!

Professional Development and Communication

Professional development is vital to preparing you for your dream job and the process begins day one on campus. Your first year is the perfect time to develop your communication skills and gain valuable knowledge and resources to make yourself more marketable.

• Workshops – EOC Career Services' Job Search workshop series will guide you through important steps to prepare for all aspects of the job search process: job applications, Job Fair, interviews, offer reviews, etc.
• Information Sessions – Engineering companies visit TTU each semester on a virtual and face-to-face basis to provide information about their company and industry. These sessions are great opportunities to learn more about different aspects of the industry and network with industry representatives.
• Practice Sessions – Put what you're learning into action. Professional communication becomes less daunting the more you practice, practice, practice. There will be sessions provided for you to practice elevator speeches, presentations, interviews, and casual business conversation.
• Certification Program – Our aim is to provide you with the appropriate communication skills to help you academically and professionally. We will offer a series of opportunities to develop these skills which will result in a certification issued by the EOC Career Services office that you will be able to add to your resume.

Community

A close-knit community is vital to success. Establishing relationships with your classmates, peers, faculty, staff and industry builds confidence and supports you through the rigorous environment of an engineering education.

• Mentor Meetings (for those who opt in) – A mentor is your personal guide and your first contact for questions or issues that arise throughout the semester. Your mentor will be a junior or senior in your program that is anxious to share his or her experience with you and help you navigate through your first year. If you are a first-generation college student, we can match you with a mentor who is also a first-generation student who understands the unique challenges of your situation. You will be required to communicate with your mentor at least once a week.
• Workshops/Lunch and Learns – L&Ls are interest groups that meet during the lunch hour. These are usually conducted by industry representatives and are geared toward specific majors or specific groups such as Women in Engineering, Active Military and Veterans, Transfer Students, and/or First-Generation College students.
• Outreach and Community Service – It is important to give back and help others. Whether participating in events to introduce engineering concepts to high school students or volunteering for a highway clean-up or Habitat for Humanity, community service will lead to valuable communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.
• Student Organizations –Student orgs are valuable resources to connect you to community, academics and industry. Active participation in student org committees, community service and/or outreach is a great way to grow your community and enhance your time in the WCOE.
• Community Building –Being an engineering student doesn't have to be serious all the time. We encourage you to attend social events through FIRST, student organizations, TTU first generation or first year experience programs. This is an opportunity to come together for fun!