Employers looking for workers and students looking for work came together at the School of Computing & Applied Technologies Career Showcase. "I was blown away by the turnout," said Professor Mike Grieb who is Chair of the School of Computing & Applied Technologies. "The need is real. This was a great opportunity for us to show all of the work we've been doing to evolve our programs and make them stronger, connect our students with the workplace, and create a lot of excitement. This was a big success."
The event was held in the Atrium of the Whitney Applied Technology Center. Many students showed up dressed for success with their resume in hand. Fahmi Alnuaimi, a 43 year old student from Iraq, earned his Mechanical Technology degree last December and will complete his Electrical Technology degree in May. "I came here looking for a job which I hope will use what I've learned in both mechanical and electrical. I'm ready to earn money."
Joseph Tschopp, who was a member of Cicero-North Syracuse High School's class of 2019, came to the Showcase looking for a summer job. He'll complete his Computer Science degree in May and plans to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology in the fall. "There were so many companies here I had never heard of. This was awesome. I'm very passionate about it. I never would have heard about these companies if they didn't come here."
For employers, the need for workers is real. That's what brought Mikaelie Lanzafame and her team from Marquardt Switches to the Showcase. "We want to grow our relationship at OCC. It's very challenging right now. We're trying to do everything we can to find people."
Before the Showcase started, Professor Grieb took employers on a tour of the College's facilities. He showed them places like the new Computer Aided Design lab, a robotics lab, and an electromechanical lab. "I got a lot of positive feedback. I think they were surprised to see the level of technology we had. They really connected with what we were telling them, that we were leaders, and that we were thinking about delivering what they needed."
Employers scheduled to attend the Showcase included:
- Anhueser--Busch
- CNY Fabrications
- Constellation
- GA Braun
- Gear Motions
- Huhtamaki
- Inficon
- JMA Wireless
- Lockheed Martin
- Marquardt Switches
- Novelis
- Nucor Steel
- PPC
- Ramboll
- Schneider Packaging
- Tessy Plastics
- West Rock
