Technology education, management lead the list of the most popular majors at Oswego

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

 

What’s popular to study at Oswego?

The Office of Communications and Marketing recently shared that the highest majors in terms of enrollment, trends and outcomes are:

• Technology education

• Technology management

• Meteorology

• Zoology

• Electrical and computer engineering

• Broadcasting and digital media (previously broadcasting and mass communications)

Richard Bush, professor in technology education and technology management, said that teacher education is hot right now because of the demand for technology teachers is high.

“There are so many career opportunities,” he said. “Do you want to work with younger children or adults? What do you want to teach? There is space for everyone. Who doesn’t love hands-on learning? That’s a wonderful draw to our program. We have hours and hours spent designing and creating and bringing your idea to life. You’re learning to inspire students to do the same.”

Bush expressed pride in Oswego’s program.

“We have an incredible program at Oswego that is physically like none other,” Bush added. “Our facilities are outstanding. I’ve seen many programs and they don’t stand up to ours.”

As for technology management, Bush said that its intention is to train students who want to create and design in manufacturing but not teach it.

“You learn how things are made from scratch and have white collar skills of leading and management,” he said.

Many graduates become assistant production managers right out of school.

Mario Bkassiny, associate professor and chairman of electrical and computer engineering in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said that the future job prospect is a big reason students pursue this field.

“There are numerous job opportunities available with this degree which offer high salary compensation,” Bkassiny said. “This includes career opportunities in the electrical and nuclear power industry, robotics and automation, microelectronics, wireless systems, and the aerospace and defense industry, among others.”

The program includes modern equipment so students can learn from hands-on experience in many engineering applications.

“Students in the ECE program work under the supervision of supportive faculty and staff members,” Bkassiny added. “They receive career guidance and gain practical experience through various internship opportunities.”

Oswego’s student clubs and professional organizations include the Robotics Club, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Scott Steiger, professor of meteorology, believes that media attention to Oswego’s weather has helped attract students to the program, “because we have a lot of active weather: lake effect snow, thunder snow and waterspouts,” he said.

In general, more students are thinking about weather because of “all the news on climate change,” he added. “The students also share stories from when they’re boys or girls and experience a big storm, like lake effect snow or a tornado. It inspires them. They grew up with the media talking about the weather and climate change.”

He also thinks that the school’s equipment such as mobile doppler radar and weather balloons impress students.

“We go outside in lake effect snow and also fly in planes to collect data,” Steiger said. “We have a storm chasing course where we go to the Great Plains to research. It’s an exciting major.”