Date: Wed, Jan 12 2000 13:54:29

From: rick@ricklapointe.com

To: farchambeau@fsc.edu

     Hey Frank, I wanted to thank your for your help, I have finally gotten a job! I am working for Raytheon, in Bedford. I am a software engineer, and more specifically I am writing software that does diagnostics and calibration on a ship-based radar used to detect and destroy incoming ballistic missiles. Our project is in the very preliminary stages, so I am actually getting to see all aspects of software engineering, from the preliminary designs to the actual coding. In fact, I have been told I will not even have to think about code for a few months.

    I know you're not into software, but that is one thing the CS department could focus more on, is the entire process, rather than just writing code. (just a suggestion) Anyway, I really like working for Raytheon, the pay is great, benefits are great. And, although the atmosphere is very Dilbert-like and the social atmosphere is lacking (software engineers seem to be a different species), the job is still very interesting .

    We work with lots of really cool technology, and in fact my whole project is classified as "Secret", so I am in the process of getting a security clearance. If you know of any recent graduates that are looking for a job, let me know. I got a job here because I went to an Open House listed in the Boston Globe. They invited me back for a day of interviews, and then offered me a job. When I was interviewing, the HR woman I was working with told me they are hiring 2000 new software engineers, and she was personally responsible for hiring 40 new college graduates. In fact they are flying people in from all over the country. At a meeting last week, my manager said that we need 10 more people for our project alone, so I gave her Jeff Hollows' resume and they called him in for interviews this Friday. So, again, if you know of people, send them my way, we could use them!

    I also wanted to ask you, I have moved to Boston and I am interested in going to graduate school to get an MS at night. Can you recommend any good schools in the Boston area? MIT obviously comes to mind, but they do not have a part-time or night program , strictly full time day. Bob recommended BU, but I am pretty sure they do not have a night program either. I would like to actually get a degree in Computer Engineering/EE, which would mean I would have some make up work to do. But Raytheon even provi des educational reimbursement (up to $5000 a year), so I definitely want to take advantage of that. If you know of any schools I should look into with good programs, I would appreciate it. Thanks! How is FSC treating you? Has the department gotten any better or worse this year? Talk to you soon

Rick