SUNY Oswego’s Engineering Week, sponsored by Micron Technology, will unfold April 6 to 10, with new and returning activities to connect current university and high school students with opportunities and career pathways in this ever-growing industry.

The university’s Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department takes the lead of coordinating events, which will include new features in a tour of National Grid and an Innovators Showcase in partnership with Oswego County’s CiTi BOCES. 

The week’s events that are free for SUNY Oswego students but request registration via the Engineering Week website, oswego.edu/engineering-week, include:

  • Monday, April 6: Alumni Panel Discussion, 4 to 5:30 p.m., 175 Shineman Center
  • Tuesday, April 7: National Grid Tour, transportation provided but registration required by March 30
  • Wednesday, April 8: Engineering Industry Showcase, 3:45 to 5:15 p.m., Shineman Center Nucleus
  • Thursday, April 9: Women in Engineering Panel Discussion, 4 to 5:30 p.m., 175 Shineman Center, sponsored by Constellation

The new Innovators Showcase will feature Oswego County high-school students in a problem-solving competition on Friday, April 10, in the Hewitt Hall ballroom.

“Engineering Week is an opportunity to bring together all the constituencies of the engineering program at SUNY Oswego,” said Mario Bkassiny, associate professor and chair of Oswego’s ECE Department. “The event provides a venue to connect current students with engineering alumni and employers from the local industry. Current students benefit from networking and student development activities that take place during this week.”

For SUNY Oswego students, Engineering Week is an outstanding opportunity to support their development, networking and career preparation, he noted. 

“By bringing leading experts and engineering alumni, the two panel discussions inform students about the current opportunities and challenges in the job market, while emphasizing the important skills that are required to succeed in the workplace,” Bkassiny said. “Students also get the chance to meet with employers, graduate schools, and industry representatives, and to learn about the available job opportunities.”

The event also supports outreach and community involvement by hosting opportunities for STEM programs at SUNY Oswego to collaborate with local high schools, which helps to support outreach efforts, Bkassiny added.

Promoting connections

Monday’s panel will feature SUNY Oswego alumni from the electrical and computer engineering and software engineering programs sharing their professional experience and career development after graduating from SUNY Oswego with current students. Refreshments will be served.

Tuesday’s tour of National Grid will let students see control rooms, a smart home and meter lab and more, while also allowing visitors to speak with engineers and system operators who keep the state’s electricity flowing every day.

For Wednesday’s Engineering Industry Showcase, representatives from local engineering industries, graduate programs and professional organizations will meet with current students in a Career Fair to discuss their job opportunities. SUNY Oswego’s Office of Career Services and Electrical and Computer Engineering Department co-host this event.

Thursday’s panel discussion will feature prominent female engineers and computer scientists who work at local industries talking to current students about the key roles they play at their organizations. Panelists also will discuss the various opportunities that are presented to women in the engineering field. Refreshments will be served.

The new Innovators Showcase on Friday invited CiTi BOCES students to take part in fun, friendship-building and educational activities that involve solve problems through engineering and creativity.

In compliance with the SUNY-wide Child Protection Policy, children under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian for the duration of any programs and should not be left unattended.

Strengths and opportunities

The week also showcases Oswego’s strength in engineering programs and opportunities, supporting high-demand engineering areas such as robotics, embedded systems, wireless communications, modern energy systems and biomedical instrumentation. 

The program is accredited by ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, and emphasizes hands-on experiences. 

“Engineering labs at SUNY Oswego are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that gives students practical experience in engineering applications. Students work under the supervision of faculty members on various projects and research topics,” Bkassiny explained. “The ECE program at SUNY Oswego also maintains a strong relationship with several engineering industry partners who provide various internships and career opportunities for engineering students.”'

The week’s sponsor, Micron Technology, will drive an even higher need for engineers as the company establishes a microchip fabrication facility just over the Oswego County line in Clay while investing $100 million into the Central New York economy across 20 years.

For more information, visit oswego.edu/engineering-week.