Opportunity: Professional Memberships

Most folks in our class probably already know about IEEE, or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. If you aren’t already a member, you should consider joining, because it shows that you are a part of a professional community, it provides you with networking connections, and it can be added to your resume. Student memberships are only $32/year and include these benefits:

Membership includes subscription to IEEE Spectrum magazine which includes The Institute, electronic access to IEEE Potentials, IEEE Collabratec, inclusion in the IEEE Member Directory, members-only IEEE.tv programming, an exclusive ieee.org email account, discounts on products and services, continuing education, philanthropic opportunities, and more. Plus, you are automatically a part of your local IEEE Section and will receive communications about local networking opportunities, meetings, and special events.

Other professional organizations that might fit your interests better include:

Membership in professional organizations increases your network of professional contacts, access to trade magazines and publications, opportunities for awards and scholarships, opportunities for on-going education, invitations to networking events, and more.

Depending on your interests, you may join more than one professional society so that you represent the work that you do across disciplines and keep informed with the goings-on through their different publications, which might only be available to members.

The memberships that you have should be included on your resume and LinkedIn.com profile (which you should create if you don’t already have one).

Opportunity: CUNY Ethics and Morality Writing Contest, Deadline Oct. 21

Throughout the semester, I will share opportunities with you. Some of these might be writing contests like this one, while others might be events around the city that I think would be beneficial for you to attend. Some might include an extra credit assignment.


2019 Dr. K. York & M. Noelle Chynn CUNY Ethics and Morality Essay Contest

Funded by the Chynn Family Foundation

Submission Deadline
Monday, October 21, 2019

The CUNY Ethics and Morality Essay Contest is funded by an endowment gift of $100,000 to the City University of New York by Dr. K. York Chynn and his wife Noelle Chynn. This annual award is intended to promote and stimulate thinking by college students at CUNY about the topic of ethics, morality, and virtuous behavior in their lives. More than ever, these issues arise not only in the personal relationships of individuals and family and friends, but also in the context of corporate, government, and social responsibility, whether it is about treating others fairly and honestly, or food safety.

The Asian American / Asian Research Institute will award the top three essays, selected by the Selection Committee, the following prizes at its 18th Annual Gala on November 14, 2019:

  • Best Essay ($1,000)
  • First Runner-up ($300)
  • Second Runner-up ($200)

Submission Guidelines
Click here for Submission Form

Fall 2019 Essay Topic: Virtue

Regardless of where one lives, virtues form the moral foundation of one’s life. Throughout history, moral philosophers in all cultures have striven to answer the question of “What characteristics or virtues distinguish the moral man from the immoral one?” In ancient Greek times, the Four Cardinal Virtues were:

  • Prudence/Wisdom
  • Justice
  • Fortitude/Courage
  • Temperance/Self-control

There were additionally Three Theological Virtues:

  • Faith
  • Hope
  • Charity
  • Together, these comprised the Seven Virtues.

At about the same time in ancient China, Confucius formulated what he called the Five Constant Virtues:

  • Ren (Benevolence, Love)
  • Yi (Righteousness)
  • Li (Propriety, Loyalty, Filial Piety, Chastity, Respect)
  • Zhi (Wisdom)
  • Xin (Integrity, Honesty, Fidelity)

In today’s modern society however, virtues have slowly begun to lose their importance, or are often forgotten in the daily hustle of people’s daily lives. For example in China, officials recently enacted a new law to foster filial piety among its citizens by compelling adult children to visit their aging parents. Recognizing the importance of virtues in our lives, will lead to better communication, understanding, and acceptance between us and our fellow man.

For your essay, please select one Virtue from the list above to discuss in detail. In discussing the Virtue you have selected, please incorporate all of the following points in your essay:

  • Tell us about your own experience in practicing the Virtue you have chosen to write about and what personal reward or satisfaction have you gained from it.
  • Why did you think the Virtue that you chose was an important one to practice in your life?
  • What obstacles did you encounter in practicing this particular Virtue and how did you, or do you, still strive to overcome the difficulties?

Note: All winning (3) and honorable mention will be posted online for the public to read. If your essay is selected to win a cash prize, it must be posted online or you will forfeit your prize award.

Submission must meet the following requirements:

  • Applicant must be a currently enrolled CUNY undergraduate or graduate student. Please submit copy of your college ID and current semester program. (No recommendations letters or transcripts are required.)

  • Cover page containing topic of the essay, name of the student, name of the CUNY college, and date.

  • Length: 1,000 to 1,500 words

  • Typed, 12-size Times New Roman font, 1-inch margins, and double-spaced.

  • Work-cited: Reference all materials that is not your own. Include at least five sources.

  • All work must be original material. Attribution and references to quoted materials must be included.

  • No online submissions. Hard copy of essay can be submitted by postal mail (postmarked by Monday, November 5, 2018, or hand-delivered to AAARI office on Monday, November 5, 2018, by 5PM) see deadline above