CIM Faculty/Staff Member
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Feraidon Ataie, PhD, Program Coordinator, California State University – Chico
School: California State University Chico
Which CIM program are you involved with and what are your responsibilities?
I joined the CIM program at California State University-Chico in August 2014 as a tenure-track faculty member. Currently, I serve as the interim director for the CIM program at Chico State. In addition to teaching and conducting research, I will be working with College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management programs at Chico State, as well as NSC and our local Patrons to keep the CIM program at Chico State functioning at its best.
What interesting projects have your students been involved with during this last school year?
Every year we have several interesting projects in which students are involved. For example, retardation effects of sucrose and zinc oxide on several types of cements and the effect of recycled wash water on concrete properties are examples of projects our students worked on for their Capstone projects.
Why should incoming students consider CIM as a major course of study?
First of all, the CIM programs have strong support from the industry. This means all graduates will have at least one (if not several) job offers. The CIM program uniquely blends business administration with technical aspects of the concrete industry to produce broadly educated graduates who are prepared to work in various sectors of the industry. The CIM program is a hands-on academic program providing numerous opportunities for students to connect and interact with concrete industry leaders and professionals. CIM programs also provide several scholarships that students may not be able to obtain in any other academic majors.
Can you describe the different career paths that graduates of the CIM program can take?
CIM graduates are able to work in several sectors of the industry such as sales and marketing, project management, quality control, and administration to name a few. CIM graduates have many career opportunities. It is important to note that because CIM graduates are trained in both technical and business aspects of the concrete industry and because graduates have excellent networking opportunities during their study period, the professional growth of a CIM graduate is rapid.
What are your thoughts about the industry/academic partnership between CIM and its industry partners?
CIM programs have been developed, promoted and supported by the concrete industry. This partnership is an excellent investment benefitting both students and the industry. Without this huge investment, CIM programs would not have been developed and the industry would have had a difficult time finding this caliber of qualified young people.
Why should companies in the concrete industry get involved in the CIM program? A company’s involvement in the CIM program is simply a great investment. The industry benefits from hiring graduates who are trained and well-prepared for a concrete-related career. Industry support is also vital for enhancing CIM programs and preparing well-rounded students.