Joe Piacente and Ted Wojcik (both at far right) meet with Computer Science students following their informal presentation about careers in computer
SUNY Fredonia Computer/Information Science graduates who collectively have over 60 years of experience in the field met informally with current Computer Science students on May 3 to talk about their experiences at SUNY Fredonia, explore possible job and internship opportunities and offer career advice.
“This is a great opportunity for our students,” said Department of Computer and Information Sciences Professor Ziya Arnavut.
The alumni, all based in Western New York and graduates of 1999 or 2000, with their current positions, were: Joe Piacente, a leader in Customer Delivery at Cisco; Dave Aubertine, director of Cybersecurity and Information Technology at Erie County (NY) Water Authority; and Ted Wojcik, a software engineer at Paychex.
The trio were generous with career advice, describing the role internships can play to gain valuable experience in the computer and information technology fields and encouraging students to continually update their computer skills and program knowledge.
Benefits of having a mentor in a new job were also extolled and interviewing tips offered.
So were the takeaways from their education at SUNY Fredonia. Each alumnus also made their contact information available to the students.
Mr. Wojcik has come to the realization that school size and reputation don’t always matter.
“I've interviewed several students from Fredonia and worked with a group of them on an independent study project last year and they have been just as technically competent as students from larger schools,” Wojcik said.
This is a great opportunity for our students."- Dr. Ziya Arnavut.
“They also seem to bring a level of 'scrappiness' which you don't always see when talking with students from larger schools.” he remarked.
Wojcik remembers “some excellent professors that instilled great technical fundamentals and problem-solving skills which have carried me to this day.”
“Some of my best memories are from my time at school there and I made some excellent friends whom I still keep in close contact with. I still have a huge soft spot for the university and the village!” Wojcik added.
