Resume... and More

1. Submit your 1-page resume (one page only please) in PDF format (or MS Word if you can not create a PDF) by email to the course webmaster at before the first meeting of the class. The webmaster will post your document and link to the class list. Be aware that not everyone uses the same version of MS word or operates on the same computer platform. Use care when choosing fonts for your resume if you distribute your resume in a non-platform-independent format. To aid the webmaster in organizing all of the resumes, please name your file with your name. (e.g. FirstnameLastname.pdf)

2. Bring a paper copy of your 1-page resume to the first meeting of the class. Turn in to Erdman.

3. Fill out the Contact Information Form so that a class list can be posted.

   If you don't have a 1-page resume, make one. The resume should have (at a minimum) name, phone, U of M e-mail, educational history (including current program), job history and skills. If you are engaged in a research project, provide advisor name and affiliation. Basically, it's the same resume you would use for a job application. The resumes will be used to introduce you to the faculty and your team to the company.

More things to do...

1. Get yourself a project notebook. Something with a sturdy binding that will hold up over 9 months (e.g. a bound or double spiral notebook). Blank sheets or lightly ruled squares are prefered because they are better for sketching ideas. The recommended notebook is the "University of Minnesota Lab Book", No. 2077S at the bookstore for about $4. Treat this notebook like a diary and use it to record all project related work. Be sure to number and date each page for patent litigation purposes. If you record any new ideas, explain the idea to somebody else and have them sign and date the notebook as proof of the invention date. The notebook becomes the property of the project sponsor at the end of the course. Use the notebook for project work, not for class notes.
   
   
2. Purchase the Ulrich and Eppinger text and read Chapters 1-8 this week and Chapters 9-16 next week. Available in the bookstore or amazon.com or your favorite on-line source. The project advisors are expecting that you are familiar with product development at least at the level of this book. Reread appropriate sections of the book to prepare for lectures. (Note that you are expected to participate actively in lectures.)
   
   
3. Read the Program brochure and the Info for sponsors material (links are on the home page) so that you are familiar with how the sponsoring companies view this course.
   
   
4. Learn about the sponsoring companies by poking around on their web sites. Links to the companies can be found under Current Projects from the course home page. Some companies may not be linked yet so be resourceful.
   
   
5. Click on all the links in the on-line schedule. Become familiar with all of the team deliverables and scope out how much work each entails. In particular, read about the Project Analysis deliverable. Teams will be self-directed in handling deliverables so it is essential that teams have a good management process for ensuring all work is professional and completed on time. Unless otherwise stated in the deliverable description, "completion" of a deliverable requires posting an electronic copy on the team web site and delivering one paper copy to class. See the Deliverables section in the syllabus for more on deliverables.
   
   
6. Mark your calender for the required evening NPDBD workshop/pizza party. (See Schedule)
   
   
7. Reserve your early morning time for your team kick-off meeting which will be either on the Monday or Wednesday of Kick-Off Meeting week. (See Schedule) On the other day you will have a team meeting so keep both times free.
   
   
8. Make yourself a name tent and bring it to every class. A name tent is a folded piece of index card stock at least 10 inches wide on which you have printed your name on both sides in neat block capital letters with a large dark marker. By placing the tent on your desk in class, other students and the instructors know who you are. You have a successful name tent if you can stand 20 feet away and read it easily.