AIT Student & Alumni Profiles
Courtney Clare '11
When I chose St. John Fisher College it was mainly for the lacrosse program. After spending a year at Fisher I discovered that there was more than the lacrosse program that I liked. Being at a smaller school gives you the opportunity to get to know your professors rather than just be a number. I knew that Fisher was not only good for me in athletics but for academics also.
When I first came to Fisher I was undecided and it was not until the end of my sophomore year until I declared my major. At first I did not have any idea what I wanted to do. I knew that I really loved all things about technology and started to take classes in that area. I discovered that I was not only good at those classes it but I enjoyed it. I then decided to declare my major as Applied Information Technology. It has been one of the best decisions of my life and I’m looking forward to getting some real experience in the field with my internship in the fall of my senior year.
What I found fascinating about the AIT major is that you can pick a second discipline. I chose Economics because I felt that it was important to understand how the economy is working. Microeconomic Theory, Statistics, and History of Economic Thought are just some of the classes that have taught me knowledgeable information that I can use not only in the workforce but my personal life.
The advice that I would give to incoming freshman, prospective AIT majors, or current AIT majors would be to explore all avenues of the IT field. The IT major gives you knowledge in many areas where technology has implications. This is helpful to not only know what you are passionate about but also give you options. My advice is to keep an open mind and experience everything in the IT field that you can. You never know what type of job you might end up with in the future, having experience in all types of IT fields will help you chose any career that you might desire.
Authored Spring 2010 Second semester junior year
Eric Dowsland '10
Choosing St. John Fisher College was an easy choice for me. I came from a small town and transferring to a large school may not necessarily have given me the one-on-one benefits that were more typical to smaller colleges. I wanted a place where I could feel I belonged and where I could make a difference. Choosing Fisher was the right option.
I didn't choose the Applied Information Technology degree until the end of my sophomore year. I was totally unsure as to what I wanted to do. In high school I was very good in my technology classes but never really thought much of it. I came to realize that technology is something I excel at and wanted to continue with. I haven't looked back since. I have interned at the Rochester Museum and Science Center and am now working on the AIT CMS webpages for my senior project. I also am a student technician in the Office of Information Technology learning more everyday. I don't believe I would have gotten these opportunities if I hadn't come to Fisher, decided on AIT, and made the relationships I was looking for.
What's neat about the AIT major is that you can choose a second discipline area to focus in. I have been well aware of the state of the economy and, therefore, was extremely interested in understanding more relative to this. Economics seemed like the best option for me for a second discipline. I believe this was the right choice as I have acquired valuable information about statistics, money and banking, macro and micro economic theory and general economic history. This knowledge will be helpful in future economic choices and job opportunities.
The advice I would offer to incoming freshman, prospective AIT majors, or current AIT majors would be to experience all aspects of the IT field. You may have a passion for one area, but be open to exploring new opportunities and take on new projects for experience. Specializing will make you marketable but I believe that having experience in multiple aspects of IT is also marketable. You never know where you may end up and your previous experiences will, no doubt, assist you in whatever direction you choose to take your career path in.
Authored Spring 2010 Second semester senior year
Michael Maether '11
Figuring out my major was one of the toughest choices I've made in my life. I've always personally believed that whatever major you pursued would be a great indication of where your life will take you. With seemingly endless possibilities of cutting edge careers and not much solid ground to get started, I felt stifled about what to do. Space has always been the final frontier, so it seems logical to pursue it and explore its mysteries. But why try and explain something million of light years away when the human brain has barely been explored? For that reason, cognitive science seems the likeliest of choices. Before I knew it, I got bogged down between my metaphysical interest and my internal pursuit of fulfillment that I got lost in all these fields I had no clue about.
I had to slow myself down. I didn't truly want to explore these fields. They were interesting but I wouldn't enjoy it. After a year and a half of taking liberal courses fulfilling my requirements, I did what I should have done this whole time: pursue something I've always enjoyed. That's how I finally decided on AIT. I enjoy working with computers and manipulating information, so it was the right choice. My other passion is writing, storytelling, and anything of the sort. Communication/journalism plays strongly into that as a second discipline with its emphasis of different formats (computers, film, magazines, etc.) to deliver an intended message.
It seems that most college students find themselves stuck at a point where they don't know how to pursue their life. I feel that most people have a good idea but become weighed down with so many possibilities. My tip is to simply look at what you love to do and pursue it. I feel the AIT major covers a broad area that would encompass a lot of people. It's the practical application of data manipulation. The second discipline is also a great way to tackle more subjects to gain more knowledge. If you're one of those people who are sitting on the fence, at least take a look at what the major has to offer.
Authored Spring 2010
Second semester junior year
Michael Palermo '11
When choosing a college, I was looking for a small campus, with small class sizes, and a friendly community. After making many college visits, I felt that St. John Fisher College fit that category best. To this day, I could not see myself anywhere else.
Going into college, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. From freshman year to the middle of my sophomore year I tried class after class in different categories and found that I did not care for them. I never really thought of getting into technology before, simply because I never had much exposure to it. I found the AIT major after taking an interest test through career services, and the results are what led me to this field of study, which has proven to be the best fit for me. I was previously an IT rotational intern in the Explore Rochester IT program. Through this program I had a great learning experience using a content management system, software testing, rebuilding server controllers, and working with hardware and software.
Another beneficial part of the AIT major is the second discipline. I chose Economics as my second discipline and have recently chosen to double major. I believe that having an understanding of economics will enhance my ability to manage others as well as myself, and this understanding will help me to make better economical decisions for companies and be a better manager of projects and business aspects of the IT field.
My advice to incoming freshman, and/or potential AIT majors is to learn as much as possible in the classroom, on the job, and on your own. Establishing a network of contacts is just as important, because what you know and who you know is the best combination when preparing to pursue a career or internship. Lastly, try to find an internship program such as Explore Rochester IT or something similar, which will not only give you exposure to the IT industry, but hands on experience.
Authored Spring 2010 Second semester junior year
Chelsea Yaeger '12
My decision to attend St. John Fisher College was not very hard to make. I live in Rochester and have been to the campus several times for sports and high school programs. The campus is small which helps it feel like a community that I could easily adapt to. I am able to live on campus and know that if I need to I can go home without any problems of distance. Fisher was my number one choice of schools and I am happy to be here.
When I was a freshman I had declared my major in business, in hopes of owning my own business one day. However, when I took an introduction to higher technology course I fell in love with AIT and after looking into the program, knew it was what I wanted to be studying. Computers and technology have always been a strong point for me but I never realized how many different careers there were in that area. Since I changed my major, I am excited to go to classes to learn about AIT and how our world is now built by it.
Since AIT is such a broad field all majors must pick a concentration of study. This allows each student to take what they have learned and connect it to another field. Personally my concentration is communications and journalism, which has helped me realize how important technology is for the communications industry. Print media is declining and online media is taking over; whether it is online newspapers, magazines, and books or the new iPad, AIT and communications are interconnected in many ways.
To those who are incoming freshman or any student who is unsure of their major, AIT is a great program and can be used in many fields. The information you learn will help you become a professional, so when you graduate you will be well prepared to start your career. This major really allows you to go in a direction that you choose, with all the support and guidance from your professors. When attending college you may have a set plan of what you want as a career after you graduate, but if you really look into every possible major you may unexpectedly find one that helps you towards a career in which you will love.
Authored Spring 2010 Second semester sophomore year