Real-world pointers shared with college's SolidWorks Users Group

The Pennsylvania College of Technology SolidWorks Users Group  held its first meeting of the new year on Monday, featuring a presentation on the computer-aided design software's surface-modeling tools. The presenter – fulfilling a valuable organizational goal of exposing the college community to experts in the field – was Jordan Tadić, a senior solution consultant for the Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp.

PCT-SWUG was formed last fall as a free-time initiative by Alex E. Marconnet, instructor of engineering design technology, whose sole incentive was to provide better service to his students, to the college and to the community.



"Every time professionals from industry visit our campus," he explained, "it helps to raise awareness of our programs as well as the quality of our students."

The inaugural meeting in October attracted more than 30 students, and future programs will be planned for both students and professionals. (While initial attendees were primarily from the engineering design technology major, Marconnet said the group is open to all – including students from welding, civil engineering and other campus departments in which the software is used, even if less frequently.)

Among benefits to group members are networking, learning opportunities, career development and a sense of community, as well as increased visibility of Penn College programs and employment paths for future graduates.

Photos provided by Katherine A. Walker, assistant professor of engineering design technology