Blackberries will grow in most kinds of fertile soil, especially slightly acidic soil (between 5.5 and 7 pH) that is rich in humus. Especially sandy or clay-rich soil is less desirable. Select a planting location with good drainage and maximum exposure to sunlight to make sure your berries ripen evenly, though some thornless varieties are prone to "sunburn," so some shade isn't a worry in especially sunny regions. Don't plant blackberries near nightshade, or members of the nightshade family, including tomato, potato, and pepper. Verticillium wilt, a common blackberry blight, can be transmitted through the soil. Don't plant blackberries in the same vicinity of other brambles, or near any wild-growing blackberry. Start your blackberries on a fresh site to avoid common diseases that can be transmitted. In colder climates, blackberries can flourish and ripen more quickly inside a greenhouse. Though they're self-fertile, they'll still benefit from cross-pollination, meaning that it's a good idea to grow two different varieties, if you grow them indoors. They'll need to be exposed to at least 200 hours below 40F (4C), but kept between 60 and 70 F when inside. When you've selected your plot, you'll want to dig into the earth at least a foot and till the soil of your plot thoroughly to aerate. Mix in a 2 inch (5.1cm) layer of manure and a 2 inch (5.1cm) layer of organic soil conditioner to fertilize. It's usually best to start small. Because blackberries can really take over in the proper climate (long, dry summers), it's easy to overwhelm yourself with berries accidentally. If you want to test out how blackberries will do in your area, start with a single erect variety, placed somewhere with room to expand. Plant more rows if you don't get the kind of production you're interested in after starting with one. If you're going to plant several rows of blackberry, space the rows between 6 and 10 feet apart. Erect plants can be closer together than trailing varieties. You can plant your trellis poles before you put in your plants, or after. Trellising is discussed in the following section. If you live somewhere with very cold winters, it's best to wait until spring to put your blackberries in the ground. In areas with more moderate winters, planting them in the fall is appropriate to give them a chance of setting for the growing season. Blackberry plants should be set into the ground about 68 inches (15.220.3cm), and spaced between 3 and 6 feet apart from one another. Upright or erect plants can be closer than trailing varieties, which should be more like 6 or 7 feet (1.8 or 2.1m) apart from one another. Add as much as a gallon of water upon planting the canes, Blackberry plants purchased from greenhouses will typically have 6 or 8 inches (15.2 or 20.3cm) of dormant growth sticking out of the top of a ball of soil protecting the root system. They won't always look like the prettiest plant, but will start shooting cane vigorously in the spring. Buy your blackberry starts from a greenhouse in your area a few days before you want to put them in the ground. Blackberry plants might need between 1 and 2 inches of water per week, depending on the climate. If you've got a large plot of berries, installing drip-line irrigation can be a good option, while smaller plots will be fine to hand-water. In especially dry or windy climates, mulching can help to avoid erosion. Mulching with pine bark, pine needles, or plastic weed matting can help to protect the soil in the immediate area surrounding the blackberries from weeds and erosion. About 2 inches (5.1cm) of any type of mulch will be sufficient for blackberries. Be sure to leave a little space between the mulch and the plant itself.

Summary: Select a planting location. Prepare your planting plot. Plant blackberry canes in late fall or early spring. Water blackberries 12 inches (2.55.1cm) weekly and consider mulching in the spring.

Some college career centers have advisors who can help you prepare with a mock interview. Take advantage of this service if it's available. If mock interview help is not available at your school, sit with a friend or family member (preferably someone with engineering experience) and provide them with a list of potential questions you expect to be asked during your job interview. Invite the mock interviewer to ask their own relevant questions if they think of any. Employers want to see someone who has self-knowledge and a certain degree of passion for engineering. For instance, you might say, "I am passionate about engineering because I love the creative process, the collaborative lab environment, and the knowledge that my engineering is contributing to a better world. I'd like to bring that passion to your company." Be able to describe your career goals in a sentence or two. Read the company's values and mission statement, and make note of how they resonate with you. Do some research into what sorts of products the company makes or what sorts of services it provides, and use this information in the interview to explain why you're interested in working for them. For instance, if you're applying to be a medical device engineer, you could say, "I believe in your company's mission of empowering doctors and medical professionals to do their jobs better and, ultimately, save lives." For instance, when you're asked about what experiences make a great engineer, don't talk about the importance of generosity. Talking too much or rambling will make the interviewers doubt your competency. Be as direct, focused, and concise as possible when answering your interviewer's questions. Your answers should typically be 30 to 90 seconds long. Deliver your answers with confidence. Speak at a normal pace and an audible volume. Look your interviewers in the eye and smile as you speak.
Summary: Do a mock interview with your college advisor or someone you trust. Be prepared to explain why you've chosen to become an engineer. Do some background research into the company you're applying to. Stay focused on the questions you're asked when answering. Don't rush your answers or mumble.