Reservations are limited to one table of four per day. The department wanted to make sure the meetings were enjoyable as well as an opportunity for uninterrupted technical discussions. Students aren't the only ones who suffer from bouts of awkwardness. So far, topics at PowerLunch meetings have run the gamut of everything from lasers to lasagna. Primarily, however, the goals of the lunch meetings are to foster a rapport between students and professors, and to promote project opportunities, and career and course guidance for students.
Professors benefit by becoming better advisors as they interact with students in a relaxed setting.
They know the good companies. They know what courses the companies look for and a lot of the good places to send resumes. Faculty must open doors of opportunity for students, but students must choose to walk through those doors. In his opinion, PowerLunch, which is held apart from the workplace, helps do just that. For his efforts Pearah has been nominated by the department for the Stanley Pierce Award.