College Life Spring 2020

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College Life

OswegoCollegeLife.com SPRING 2020

Special Senior Year Issue

Pages 6, 7

Interviewing Tips for Your First Real Job

Job interview. When paired, these two words may be two the of most frightening words in the English language. We present some key tips that will help you land your ideal job

Moving Back to Mom and Dad’s?

This may be a smart move for seniors looking for a job 1

Spring 2020

A Job After Graduation Based on the class of 2018, 95% of Oswego graduates got a job in their field within a year; suprisingly, the largest percentage students stay in NYS, mostly in CNY, New York City. Page 9

Parking Boots You will likely see more parking boots this year on campus as University Police Department will start using this system instead of towing cars away. Page 2

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Parking Boots

You will likely see more parking boots this year on campus as University Police Department will start using this system instead of towing cars away

By Alexander Plate

A

t SUNY Oswego, the University Police department has adjusted its parking enforcement policies by introducing a boot to their toolbox, after a series of complaints about towing fees from the student body.

“Some students raised concerns that the tow service we were using were charging an excessive amount of money for them to get their cars back,” said Lieutenant Matthew Barbeau. “The president’s office asked us to look into different alternatives to use to towing, that would still maintain the integrity of our parking rules.”

The most common scenario that would result in a car being towed on campus was at the beginning of the semester, when students would park their cars in spaces reserved for residence hall staff members during move-in or in the first weekend they were on campus.

UP would tow those vehicles, using a local towing

company, and students whose cars were towed would have to come up with at least $85 to cover towing fees for a small vehicle, but often would have to pay much more than that, including upcharges for difficult weather, large vehicles and storage fees.

UP and the SUNY Oswego administration hope that this change will keep down costs for students and make any interactions between them and parking enforcement go more smoothly.

Now, in most cases, students parked in reserved spaces or with 10 or more unpaid violations with UP will have a parking boot attached to their cars and a sticker placed on their driver’s window warning them of the disabling device.

Barbeau said that the only cost associated with getting the boot removed is the payment of any fines the disabled vehicle’s driver may have accrued. For those

parked in reserved spots, that can be as low as $20, provided they have only that parking ticket to pay.

The expectation is that students will want to move their vehicles soon after having the boot installed, and will pay the fines as quickly as possible, learn their lesson and serve as an example to any passersby who see the boot. However, the tool has yet to be used by UP, as it was purchased in October of 2019.

“We haven’t had to use the boot yet so far,” Barbeau said. “A lot of times, we’re towing in the beginning of the year when people are moving in, which is the usecase for the boot as well.”

Barbeau said that while UP plans on using the parking boot as their first option when a car is parked illegally, they reserve the right to tow any vehicles parked illegally on SUNY Oswego property.

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Spring 2020

College Life

Renovations at Mary Walker Health Center. “We’re refreshing the clinic. There’s not going to be a huge floor-plan redesign, but it will be brought up to modern standards,” said Mitch Fields, associate vice president for SUNY Oswego’s facilities services department.

Multiple Renovation Projects Underway Across Campus

By Alexander Plate

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UNY Oswego is in the middle of a series of construction projects, in varying states of completion, as part of its ongoing capital improvement project.

Each year, the campus receives between $20 million and $30 million in capital investment funding, to be used exclusively for renovating and improving the grounds and facilities of the campus.

In 2019, SUNY Oswego facilities services department began — and completed

some — major projects in eight buildings, ranging from academic to residential and support buildings.

Some of the largest projects that were started in the fall of 2019 include the renovation of Funnelle Hall, one of the largest residence halls on the SUNY Oswego campus.

“We’re taking the building off-line after the December graduation, and keeping it closed until August,” said Mitch Fields, associate

The Space New campus venue for student orgs ticks all the boxes, proves to be valuable improvement

By Alexander Plate

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he Space, the venue that was opened underneath Swetman Gym in August for student organizations to host their events, has proven to be a popular location on campus in its first semester.

Replacing a disused set of locker rooms for the gymnasium, The Space is meant to be an area where student organizations can host small or medium-sized events for their members. In the past, organizations have relied on existing spaces where athletic and academic reservations have precedence.

“We were really lacking in terms of space for student organizations to have their events before The Space opened,” said Mitch Fields, the vice president of facilities services at Oswego State.

According to Takeena Strachan, the Student Association president, The Space was designed with student organizations in mind, and was in a way built around what many students were hoping they would be able to find in downtown Oswego, but could not find; a calm, well-designed environment where small groups could

vice president for SUNY Oswego’s facilities services department. “We’re gutting the core of the building, replacing all the restrooms and study lounges and the like. The bathrooms will be turned into single-occupancy privacy bathrooms, and we’ll be upgrading the basic mechanicals.”

One of the major concerns that must be considered whenever a college closes a residence hall for maintenance is the effect meet.

“We wanted a space where students could hold high-end events, parties, but also less formal events and a space that could be multipurpose,” Strachan said.

When Young M.A., the rap artist who came to campus in October, was preparing for her show, she used the area as a green room and dressing room of sorts. The venue can be used to host speakers brought to campus by student organizations.

The Space has been popular for student organizations and has been booked almost every day consistently throughout the last part of the semester.

When the idea for opening a venue for students was first proposed, it was the student body itself that was asking for new and more quality places on campus for their events. In recent years, the American Legion was made unavailable as a space for student events, and the city of Oswego implemented a “social host” law

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that will have on its ability to enroll students and have them live on campus. Fields said that having available space in residence halls is a huge aspect of accessibility to higher education, and the state administration for the SUNY system keeps a close eye on how residence hall access is managed across the SUNY system.

Fields said residence hall renovations usually start in the spring semester, when there is a naturally lower number of residential students compared to the fall due to drop-outs, transfers and early graduations. The college cannot afford to keep residence halls closed for long though, as a large amount of funding for college scholarships is taken from residence hall revenues.

Another one of the major ongoing projects is the Mary Walker Health Center renovation, which saw the building close over the summer months of 2019 while work crews began asbestos abatement and adding space to the counseling center, which has seen demand grow in recent years.

“We’re refreshing the clinic,” Fields said. “There’s not going to be a huge floorplan redesign, but it will be brought up to modern standards, and the counseling center is growing.”

For academic buildings, Tyler Hall is undergoing the last few touches of its redesign and renovation, which began in 2017. The renovation of that building was done in two phases, essentially split between the front areas, including class-

rooms, the front-of-house for the theater, and many art and performance spaces.

The remaining renovations in the back part of the building include a ceramics studio and a recording studio. The recording studio renovations have undergone some setbacks, due to the abnormally high water levels in the lake currently flooding lower levels of some campus buildings, including parts of Tyler Hall.

A major renovation program that is currently scheduled to begin in the coming months is the renovation and redesign of Hewitt Hall, which will be extensive. The building, which was once the student union, will become the home building for the art and media programs, including graphic design, broadcasting and journalism.

The renovation is expected to cost at least $64 million, and will take a number of years to complete.

Along with these major projects, the SUNY Oswego facilities services department continues to work on a number of smaller projects, like replacing the elevators in Culkin Hall, upgrading the food cold storage facilities in the commissary building, and upgrading the path lighting across the length of campus.

“Historically, it’s the big capital projects that capture people’s attention, but we do a lot of less visible work that improves the campus just as much,” Fields said. “It’s appreciated when people feel the effects, but they don’t see the direct changes often enough.”

that made hosting events at private residences in the city more difficult. As a result, students began asking for a space at public meetings with city and school officials, including at the downtown town hall meetingheld in 2018 with President Deborah

Stanley and Oswego Mayor William Barlow.

Strachan said that the work between the student body and the administration in this case is admirable, and she looks forward to further development of that dialogue.

Located underneath Swetman gym on campus, The Space has proven to be a popular campus location for meetings and events.

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Paul’s Big M

Winter:

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By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

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hether you love it or loathe it, winter is a big part of life in Central New York.

According to U.S. climate Data, the average high temperature for the months of December through March in Syracuse is 36.5 degrees F. The average low is 21 for the same time period. In Oswego, that dips to 34.75 degrees F for the high and 22.5 for the low.

Of course with that cold comes plenty of snow. The website Accuweather.com, which lists the snowiest cities for the winter of 2018-2019, includes three Upstate cities and total snow accumulation: Buffalo had 94.3 inches; Syracuse, 74.9 inches; and Rochester, 63.5. These cities each ranked much higher in snowfall than Nome, Alaska (35.6 inches).

Whether you hunker down and endure it or run outside to embrace it, winter is here.

Here’s what a few locals have to say about winter in Upstate New York:

“I personally like the seasonal change. It gives opportunity to do a variety of activities not available without the change of season. I like the aesthetics of the change and having the variety of seasons available to us.”

Jason Pratt, Oswego “I enjoy the season. I have to admit moving to CNY from Philadelphia since 1989, I’m not a huge fan of all the snow. There are days I wish we had less snow. It interferes with my running and makes it more challenging. I have to run in the daylight as the sides of the roads aren’t always plowed. But winters are good. It looks beautiful. I didn’t even have snow boots when I moved up here.”

Carol Sames, Syracuse “I love winter. I can go snowshoeing, skiing and I do occasional winter camp-

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ing. You’ve got to get out in it. That’s what I always tell people when they complain about winter. They need to get out of the house and find something fun to go enjoy.”

Jake Mulcahey, Oswego

Now Renting 1-8 Bedroom Housing

“It’s OK. It can be pretty, but it’s cold.”

Cindy Smith, Syracuse “I tolerate the cold. I’ve been here all my life. I’m 79 now. I tolerate it — that’s the only way I can put it.

I’d still rather live here than other places with their fires and floods. We have a great crew here in the city keeping us cleaned out. I’m looking forward to spring already.”

Donna Lupien, Oswego “I deal with it. I find activities to do to make the winter go by. If people hate it so much they should do something about their situation here. I try not to complain about it as it’s inevitable and I made the conscious decision to live in Syracuse.”

Neal Purcell, Syracuse “There are many aspects of winter I love, like fresh fallen snow and crisp, cool air. Certainly as lifelong resident of Central New York, I’ve learned to embrace many aspects of it. I prefer the minor inconvenience of a snowfall than the larger natural disasters that happen many areas of the country.”

Amy Lear, Oswego “I can’t stand the cold anymore. I’m getting too old for the cold. When I was a kid, we tobogganed all the time. Now, I wouldn’t mind if we didn’t have snow or cold at all.”

Eva Hancock, Jamesville

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last semester Ready for Life After SUNY Oswego

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Joseph volunteered in Puerto Rico in the summer of 2018, after Hurricane Maria. He said that experience has influenced his decision to pursue a career as a chiropractor. He plans to attend the New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls in the fall.

Senior to continue on his studies at New York Chiropractic College

By Alexander Plate

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oseph Devona has been a student at Oswego for nearly four years, and he says he’s equally excited and nervous to move into the next stage of his life.

After completing his wellness management major in the winter, Devona said he is planning to stay in the Oswego area until August working with a local contractor, before going to the New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls.

He said that he is confident in his choice to pursue a career as a chiropractor, because of his passion for healing and helping.

Devona acted on that spirit of healing during his

years at Oswego, like when he volunteered in Puerto Rico for the summer in 2018, after Hurricane Maria.

“Going to Puerto Rico in 2018 was a really important experience for me, with the hard work and the incredible experience and the incredible people I met,” he said.

During his time at SUNY Oswego, Devona worked as a tutor at the office of learning services, helping other students understand their coursework, and as a desk attendant at Lee Hall, one of the campus’ recreational facilities. He also served as the vice president of the Health Promotion and Wellness Club for the 2018-19 academ-

ic year.

“I think my favorite part of Oswego has been Lee Hall, being able to go there and play basketball by myself or with friends I’ve made,” Devona said. “It’s become a ritual.”

Thoughts of the financial

burden of graduate school, of making the step into a different level of self-reliance and a different environment, all make him nervous, but are equally as exciting.

Long term, Devona said that he would like to see himself working in his own

practice as a chiropractor after college. He said that there is a possibility of him securing a space in a medical complex.

“I really appreciate the support system I have,” Devona said.

Student Hopes to Become History Professor

By Alexander Plate

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or Matt Crary, his upcoming graduation is another step on the road through school, before he goes on to attend graduate school. His hope is to become a history professor, so he expects to attend graduate school for the next five years at least.

Crary first started going to school in the spring of 2012 at Onondaga Community College. After high school, he decided to go into the U.S. Army. After his service ended, Crary worked a number of odd jobs, including as a barber, before deciding that he wanted to pursue a job as a history professor.

“I didn’t love any of the jobs I’d worked in before going to school, but I did love history classes and the whole history experience,” Crary said.

Crary studies American history, taking special interest in the history of Native Americans as European settlers came to North America.

He also has an interest in early 20th century European history, especially the eras of the world wars.

Crary has not settled on what he plans to study in graduate school quite yet,

but he says he is excited for the opportunity to explore more aspects of history, discover new passions and think outside the box.

Crary said that going on to graduate school with more experience behind him, at the age of 30, makes the transition less frightening than it seems to be for traditional students. Not only does he still work as a barber, but he has a support system that allows him to pursue further education without worrying about finances too much.

“I imagine my situation is very different from other, more traditional students, because I have a more stable financial foundation to go to graduate school,” Crary said. “Having that bedrock of support is letting me do stuff I probably wouldn’t be able to otherwise, so I’m very grateful. “ His plan is to attend graduate school at Cornell or Binghamton, both of which have competitive history graduate degree programs, before moving into a professorship at a smaller school while he works on his doctorate.

“I’d be happy to start with a job as a history pro-

fessor at a small college, a community college maybe, and spend some time there before moving up to larger schools with more research

opportunities,” Crary said.

“I’ve got a pretty stable plan going forward. Honestly, I’m more worried about the future of the U.S. right now

than I am about my personal future.”

Matt Crary and his son at the Castillo de Son Marco in St. Augustine, Florida, last summer. Crary is heading to graduate school, where he plans to major in history.

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last semester My Last Semester at SUNY Oswego

By Alexander Plate

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hen I first came to SUNY Oswego in the fall of 2016 I was in exactly the same boat as every other freshman tends to be in — on my own, unsure of where to start and probably just a little underprepared.

Over the subsequent three and a half years, I’ve developed a new sense of individuality, pushed my independence further than ever before and found myself more than capable of a lot of things I never would have expected myself to master.

SUNY Oswego was not my first choice for school.

When I first toured, I thought the admissions representative was irritating and too self-impressed, and the campus seemed impossibly spread out, and just about as unattractive as could be.

Plus, while the rest of the state was enjoying 45-degree

weather and sun, Oswego was about 25 degrees, rainy and as windy as ever for my first tour.

However, the journalism program was competitive, the professors were genuinely nice and accessible, and it was far away enough from home than I would not be able to get a surprise visit from my mother, no matter how many times she threatened it. I committed to attend SUNY Oswego.

What I got out of the experience was a lot more than I expected to.

I made the lifelong friends everyone says you find at school. I met professors who legitimately challenged me intellectually and showed me new ways in which I could succeed.

I forced myself to become more self-reliant, eventually choosing to call Oswego my year-round home for the rest

of my time in college here.

I was given plenty of chances to learn how to stand up for myself, against the school, the utility companies and the local landlords.

Oswego forced me to stand on my own two feet, and for that I am grateful.

The city has come a long way in a short time, thanks to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which I have become intimately familiar with through my reporting with The Oswegonian. There is plenty of work left to be done, but the city has many more prospects for the bored college student than it used to.

If SUNY Oswego taught me anything, it’s that I am a lot more capable than I thought I could be. There are a lot of things I will miss from Oswego, the memories and the local staples that have pinned up the backdrop of my life for the last nearly four years. There’s a lot I am taking with me too though, and I know I would not be the same without Oswego.

Headed into the future, I am now focused on applying to jobs, and everything that entails. Endless cover letters, a lot of referring to myself in the first person, trying to present myself in a positive light.

Making my social media

pages private because... that’s just a good idea.

There is a lot of uncertainty in my future — this is the first time that I have genuinely not known where I am going to be in six months.

It is as a friend of mine put it, “just life and just my time to go through it all.”

I still do not quite understand how I am going to pay a security deposit, and with job applications completed for companies in Delaware, North Dakota and Nebraska I’m worried about the whole moving process in and of itself.

Of course, there is a part of me that is worried that I will end up working at a

Target, shelving copies of Bill O’Riley books, living in a basement apartment with a mold issue and no bathtub. I don’t expect that to happen, but you never really know, do you?

Whatever happens, I think I am ready to take my next steps. I just have to sit down and get to work on it all.

Law School: Next Stop for Brooklyn Native

By Alexander Plate

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aryJay Olalekan, a senior global and international studies major, is excited to step into the next phase of her life and attend law school.

Olalekan is a Brooklyn native, the daughter of Nigerian immigrants. She came to Oswego in 2016 with the intention of getting as far away from New York City as her parents and her finances would allow. Since then, she has grown to become an important part of the campus community, active in a litany of organizations on campus.

She has been a member of a number of ALANA organizations, a group of student organizations funded

by Student Association that represent African, Latino, Asian and Native American people, organizing events and advocating for students of color. She has also served as an SA senator for a number of years, leading multiple committees and as a director in a previous SA president’s cabinet.

Olalekan said that her years at Oswego have been foundational and life-chang-

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ing for her, from the professors she has met to the friends she has made.

“A lot of what Oswego has provided me has been incredible,” she said. “The memories, things like OzFest, other musical performances, speeches, presentations, art galleries, the annual ALANA fashion show, they’ll all remain with me for life.”

Some parts of Oswego are not necessarily remembered with fondness.

“The snow is a memory, the weather will stick with me for a long time,” she said.

“The worst I recall of the weather was when I lost my wig in the wind on my way to class. The wind snatched my wig.”

Going forward, she says there is a mixture of positive emotions and some nervousness. She says that life is about to hit her, and she wants to be sure she is ready for it when it does, in May. Olalekan is planning on attending law school after she graduates, to become an entertainment lawyer.

“I have a huge interest in entertainment, and it’s a

blossoming industry with a lot of potential in this new media environment,” she said.

Olalekan said that she would like to continue her work representing the underrepresented, and she believes she can take her skills to Hollywood and elevate new voices there.

For law school, her search is limited to the New York and Washington D.C. areas, because of finances.

“I would love to go to Los Angeles, where there’s so much more media work being done, but that side of the country is far too expensive,” Olalekan said.

For the future, no matter what happens, she has a confidence that she can get through it, after proving that she can make her way through college and take all she can get out of it.

“It’s all life, everyone goes through it and now it’s my turn,” she said.

MaryJay Olalekan came to Oswego in 2016 and is graduating this May.

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senior year What If You Don’t Find a Job? Do you have a Plan B?

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

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f this is your last semester, congratulations! You’re almost there! But what next? If you don’t have a job lined up and one doesn’t materialize by graduation, what then?

• Don’t despair. “Sometimes students underestimate the time it takes to find a job,” said Meg Osborne, coordinator of Career Services with Cayuga Community College.

• Be patient. “The average job search is a three- to five-month process, so don’t be discouraged,” said Taeko Kelly, business career coach with SUNY Oswego.

• Get some type of employment. Those student loans aren’t going to pay themselves.

Snap up something that will keep money rolling in. Working now also demonstrates your tenacity to future employers. “If their job search is going on for significantly longer than anticipated, we might help them make

a short-term plan to make some money now that has flexibility so they can look at a job,” Osborne said.

• Keep working. If you already have a part-time job, ask your employer if you can go full-time. Or seek another part-time position.

• Look online. “We can make sure you are aware of the full array of online resources available to you to identify the best opportunities, discuss networking strategies, including utilizing your LinkedIn account to the fullest potential, and more,” Kelly said.

• Expand your networking. If all you do is network online, you need to get out there and mingle face-toface. Attend industry expos, ask your parents for help in contacting people they know, and talk with people about your industry. Who knows — a chance encounter in a coffee shop could result in your first job.

• Contact your school’s career development office. They can help you connect with potential employers and help you stay apprised of openings that could interest you. “As a SUNY Oswego alum, you can forever take advantage of Career Services for free, so I recommend scheduling an in-person or phone appointment with a career coach to ensure that your resume, cover letter and interviewing skills are as competitive as possible,” Kelly said.

Moving Back to Mom and Dad’s? You’re Not Alone

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

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ven if you immediately land your dream job after graduation, moving back to Mom and Dad’s might still be in your future.

If you do, you’re not alone.

A survey from TD Ameritrade indicates that about half of young college graduates move back home after they get their diploma.

The overwhelming reason is student loan debt.

If you plan to live with your parents, follow these steps to improve your changes of maintaining a good relationship with them.

• Communicate what you expect. Do you want to pick up where you left off as a teenager or will you take on more responsibilities?

• Listen to what your parents expect. What about your guests? Where can you park?

Will you stay in your old room again?

• Offer to pay some rent and a portion of the household utilities and groceries. Your parents may appreciate the help or say you don’t need to; however, making the gesture is important.

• Volunteer to help out.

You’ll likely experience less friction with your parents if you take over certain jobs than if you try to help alongside them. For instance, take over making dinner three nights a week rather than acting as a sous chef while your parents cook. Tackle a few extra chores like cleaning out the garage or weeding the flowerbeds without being asked.

• Act more responsibly.

Assuming a portion of the household chores, replenishing groceries as you use them, doing your own laundry, paying some rent and

behaving courteously helps expresses your newfound maturity — and helps your parents realize you’re not a teenager anymore.

• Balance your time with them. If you weren’t able to visit much while you were in school, your parents may enjoy some extra time with

• Attend a career fair.

While you likely won’t walk out of there with a new job, handing out business cards and resumes may help you make some good connections.

• Go to workshops. While learning more right now seems like the last thing you want to do, workshops related to your industry or skill set can help you connect with industry leaders. It also demonstrates that you really love your industry.

• Volunteer. Use your

skills or get involved with your industry. They may want to hire you. Or perhaps an organization associated with them could become interested. Plus, you’ll gain more industry experience.

• Compromise a bit. “The closer to graduation, the broader should be their search for the geographic region and the type of job in the industry,” said Cara Battaglia, job placement specialist with Cayuga Community College

you for a while. But make sure you give them space for their pursuits.

• Revisit house rules.

Should you let your parents know if you won’t be home?

Do your parents go to bed early and anticipate a quiet household? Should you let them know if you want to have friends over?

• Give them an idea of how long you’ll stay. This can be tricky. Your parents may say you’re welcome as long as you need to stay and really mean it or they could say this because of mixed feelings about you living in their

house. Regardless of their intentions, offer a timeline of how long you’ll need their help based upon how long you think it will take to get a job and save up enough to have a security deposit, a month’s rent and enough money to pay for a couple month’s bills. At that point, you should be stable enough to live elsewhere.

• Don’t worry about staying.

If it’s mutually beneficial to live with your parents, carry on indefinitely. There’s no rule that says you have to live elsewhere if everyone’s happy.

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senior year

Career Services: High Chances to Get Jobs Within a Year Based on the class of 2018, 95% of Oswego graduates get a job in their field within a year; largest percentage students find jobs in CNY, New York City

By Alexander Plate

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ost SUNY Oswego graduates can expect to find a job in their field of choice in New York state within their first year out of college.

According to statistics gathered by the SUNY Oswego department of career services, 95% of Oswego graduates from 2018 ended up employed fulltime, in graduate school or both, while 17% went to graduate school in general.

Sixty-six percent of the class of 2018 found work in New York state.

According to Gary Morris, director of the career services department, 16-18% of each year’s graduating class tend to go on to graduate school on average, and a 95% full-time employment rate is typical.

However, a large majority of graduates end up in

jobs unrelated to their majors by the time they have been out of school for five or more years.

“After a few years, something like 80% of students nationally end up in a field not related to their major, but still in a field they find themselves motivated to work in,” Morris said. “Over the last five years, about 89% of Oswego graduates ended up in their field of choice, on average.”

Here’s how students from various SUNY Oswego schools have fared: • Graduates of the School of Communication, Media and the Arts had the highest employment rate for 2018, with 86% of respondents to the career services survey stating that they found full-time employment, with 5% continuing on to graduate school.

• School of Business

graduates reported a 78% employment rate, with 10% going on to further education.

• Graduates of the School of Education reported 58% employment rate, with 18% going on to graduate school.

• The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences had graduates report that 54% of them found full-time employment, while having the highest number of graduates continue their education, with nearly 30% going to graduate school.

With a majority of graduates staying in New York for the first few years after their graduation — in part because of residency requirements of the Excelsior Scholarship — the Central New York region saw the largest percentage of Oswego graduates find employment in the area.

Thirty-four percent of Oswe-

go graduates found work or schooling opportunities in the CNY area.

The second most popular destination for graduates was New York City, with 21% of the Class of 2018 moving there in the year after their graduation. The Finger Lakes region was next in line, with 10% of the Class of 2018 finding a place there.

Morris said that he has seen a high level of engagement with the career services department from the last few years of students, which he attributes to a cultural focus on the future that seems to permeate this generation.

“This generation of students is very focused on their future, and that pays dividends during graduation and onward,” he said.

Morris said that there are a few things students can do now to ensure their suc-

Gary Morris, director of SUNY Oswego’s career services department. cess in the job market after graduation. One of his tips was that students should use the services that the career services department offers, to familiarize themselves with the job search process, which students have, of course, likely not experienced before. He also suggested that students be deliberate and intentional when deciding on a career path.

“When searching for a full-time, professional position, you want to make sure you really want to do that job,” Morris said. “You’ll be working for many hours per week, and really entrenching yourself in the industry. You don’t want to get that job, start working, and realize you aren’t where you want to be.”

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Look people in the eye At some points during the interview, try to make eye contact with the person interviewing you. Not only will it demonstrate your own confidence and sincerity, it will also help you feel out the people interviewing you.

Don’t be afraid to say “I have a lot to learn”

Interviewing Tips for Your First Real Job From a former SUNY Oswego student who went through several of those interviews

By Melissa Stefanec

J

ob interview. When paired, these two words may be two the of most frightening words in the English language.

They can instill fear in the strongest of people.

They can make the sincerest people panic and act absurd.

Maybe that’s because so much of a person’s future hinges on the outcome of these two words.

Just getting to that interview can be an arduous process. First, your application has to make to the computer screen of a recruiter. Then, the recruiter has to like what they see enough to set up a phone screening. At the phone screening, you have to fight nerves to remain coherent and temper your enthusiasm just enough to score an actual interview.

Then, the scary part comes. You have to sit in a room full of strangers and convince them you have what it takes to improve the bottom line of their organization.

It’s grueling. It’s foreign.

It’s what nightmares and panic attacks are made of.

However, it doesn’t have to

be this way. Here are some tips for interviewing as painlessly as possible.

Don’t say what you are supposed to say It’s OK to rehearse a narrative for selling yourself, but don’t rehearse a script.

Interviewers can spot a scripted answer in seconds.

When someone asks you a question, answer it honestly. Don’t just say what you think you’re supposed to say.

No one gives all the right answers. Doing so can actually make you seem dishonest.

Be authentic You should practice prudence and discretion when on a job interview, but don’t be afraid to be yourself.

If you put up a lot of facades in order to look like someone else, people sense that. When people bring the best version of themselves to an interview, people respect that, minor flaws and all.

Answer the question you were asked When you are asked a

question, do your best to answer that question right away. Don’t start with an anecdote or offer a lot of backstory. Answer the question first and digress later.

Otherwise, you might forget to answer the question.

If you can’t answer a question, say so If you’re asked a question you can’t answer, say you don’t know the answer.

Don’t make up an answer.

People will see through it and not like what they see on the other side.

Answer honestly, even if the answer isn’t ideal You will be asked questions that you have less-thanideal responses to; that’s OK. Maybe you will be asked if you know about a specific piece of software or a business concept that you have little to no knowledge on.

You should answer honestly anyway. Follow it up with an example of a time you knew nothing about a subject but quickly mastered it. Inter-

viewers will have respect for this.

Don’t be afraid to overdress When faced with the question of overdressing or underdressing, overdress every time. The most informal of places won’t mind overdressing. Everyone will fault you for underdressing. The same advice goes for professional versus casual dress.

Err on the professional side.

Do your homework Go into your interview knowing something about the organization and position you’re interviewing for. You don’t have to know everything, but you should be informed enough to answer and ask good questions.

Stay positive No matter what you’re feeling inside, try to remain positive throughout your interview. Employers want to know you can handle adversity, and job interviews are a special kind of adversity.

Whether you’re fresh out of college or 20 years into a career, you will always have a lot to learn. Don’t be afraid to admit that. Employers want to hire people who are coachable and able to accept constructive feedback.

Admitting you have a lot to learn and are eager to start learning is the best way to get in the door.

Always ask questions When it comes time to ask questions to your interviewers, ask something. This is one place you can come prepared with a scripted question. Google “best questions to ask during an interview.” Come loaded with interview questions. Asking the right questions will put you at a strong advantage.

Don’t be afraid to sell yourself As new as you are to the job market, remind yourself of what you have to offer a potential employer. You should highlight whatever qualities your professors, peers and mentors admired about you in college. When you share your strengths in a grounded way, people will listen.

Remember you are interviewing the employer You will likely interview for positions that don’t suit you. You will likely interview at organizations that aren’t a good match for you. When you are interviewing, ask the right questions and listen to the information offered to you. Not every interview will result in a perfect career match; that’s to be expected.

If you follow these tips, you’ll be ahead of peers (and some people twice your age). Anxiety and apprehension are inherent when you interview for a job, but a little confidence and a lot of preparation are your best defenses. These two tools can change you from candidate to employee and put an end to your dread of the job interview.

Spring 2020 10

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College Life

Budgeting for Grads 101

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Y

ou’re almost done with school — what a great accomplishment!

You’ve certainly learned a lot in the past semesters; however, something you may not have learned or even considered is your post-graduation budget.

The percent of income you spend in each category depends upon where you live, your career and what lifestyle aspects are important to you. Some parts of your post-graduation budget may be hard to predict (like how much money you’ll have coming in); however, planning a modest budget and tracking your spending with a debit card can help you better control your finances.

• Rent and Utilities — These take a substantial chunk of income. To minimize rent, share an apartment with roommates.

Reduce utility expenses by keeping the heat turned down at night and using air conditioning only when necessary. Trim any extras from

your phone service.

• Food — Skip eating out and limit prepared items.

Learn to cook with online tutorials and simple recipes.

Plan meals and shop with a list at discount markets and grocery outlets. Look for sale items but compare their cost with that of generics. Buy ingredients instead of completed foods when it makes sense to do so. Keep on hand a few prepared foods, such as canned soup, in case other options don’t work out. A $2 can of soup is a lot less costly than a $10 meal out.

• Student Loan Payments — Interest still accrues during a loan deferral. Set up an automatic payment; this may give you a small break on interest.

• Insurance — Keeping your renter’s insurance (this protects your belongings, unlike your landlord’s policy) and auto insurance under one provider may save money. Shop around for the best deal. Don’t worry about life insurance unless someone relies upon you for income or

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their gyms and pools for low-cost or free community time.

• Memberships — Cut out any memberships that do not save or make you enough money to pay for themselves.

• Entertainment — Attend free events in the community where you live. Stream movies instead of paying for cable. Borrow from the library. The earlier in the day you eat out, the cheaper it is.

Enjoy activities during “off” times — bowling mid-week usually costs a lot less than

Friday nights.

• Occasional Expenditures — Plan ahead for one-time budget saboteurs: annual payments, taxes, and attending weddings and other events. Put aside a little money each month.

• Saving — Contribute heavily to your company’s retirement plan. Save regularly for your own “emergency” fund until you have at least three months’ salary to help out if your car dies or if you get sick. Rebuild the fund as needed.

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• Transportation — Compare the costs of Uber and public transportation with car insurance, gas and maintenance. If you need to own a car, run all your errands at once instead of making several trips. Carpool if possible, and perform more errands on foot or bike.

• Wellness — Instead of pricey gym dues, get simple equipment to use at home, go walking or running, or follow online fitness videos.

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keeping up with jacob alexander

2016

Freshman to Senior

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

S

ince he began his freshman year back in 2016, Jacob Alexander has shared his academic journey with College Life in each issue. The technology major at SUNY Oswego wraps up his degree this year.

“I’m very excited to get out in the real world and start my life and career,” Alexander said.

He completed his student teaching requirement during the fall semester at Wayne Central Middle School in Williamson (near Rochester) and Charles W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville while living at home in Sterling with his parents, Patti and Ron Alexander. In previous semesters, he had rented a place with roommates.

With his middle school students, he made small ma-

nila folder racers launched with a rubber band across the floor to teach them about aerodynamics, weight displacement and more. They also learned about tool and equipment safety — important concepts for children beginning their lifelong use of tools.

At the high school, Alexander led the students in a sweet project: creating a candy bar design and logo and using AutoCAD and CNC to create molds for the chocolate bars.

While the students learned practical applications of the tools and equipment, Alexander learned as well.

“I know now how I want to teach,” he said. “I got to see multiple styles as others taught and I homed in on how I want to teach and work in the classroom.”

He likes to mix his personality in with the projects to keep his students engaged.

This semester, Alexander returns to Oswego for 15 more credits that will sew up his degree. He’ll also serve as the teacher’s assistant for materials production, and likely help out Team Mini, a group of students who boost team spirit during Oswego games and Oswego Technology Student Association. In the past, he has held leadership roles with those groups, but this semester, he’s just helping out.

Alexander also hopes to land a part-time job and perform a lot of job searching.

He has received a few job offers, but isn’t sure where he wants to go yet.

Scaling back on his extracurricular obligations will help him meet his academic

2020 goals.

“I want to end my senior year with good grades,” he said.

He will continue living with his parents as it’s difficult to find a short-term rental. If inclement weather makes driving home difficult, he has friends nearby “who will give up their

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couch for the night,” he said.

Alexander encourages education majors doing their student teaching to “make sure you keep up with your work and Education Teacher Performance Assessment all through the student teaching placements. Take plenty of video and keep up on your work.”

College Life

OswegoCollegeLife.com Call 315-342-8020 to advertise in the fall edition College Life — For students at SUNY Oswego and Cayuga Community College — is published twice a year by Local News, Inc. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126.

Phone: 315-342-8020. Email: editor@cnybusinessmag.com Copyright 2020 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved.

Spring 2020 12

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College Life

senior year Things That Make College Irreplaceable

By Melissa Stefanec

C

ollege is the sort of experience that’s ripe for reminiscing. Not all of the memories are worth replaying, but the good ones are what nostalgia is made of.

The thing about college that makes it so invaluable is the number of unique experiences it offers simultaneously. For most of us, it’s unlikely we will have access to such a diversity of experience and growth opportunities again.

Here are some of the things that make college a time of great growth — educationally and personally.

If you have a few moments for precocious reflection today, be thankful you can do the following: • Make your own schedule —Although some progressive employers offer flexible work arrangements, most working people don’t get to be the master of their own schedules. Being able to (mostly) decide on how early or late your classes and activities take place is a luxury.

• Take advantage of a dedicated developer — Your teachers have one job, and that’s to teach you. When you’re

out in the professional world, you will not have access to such singular attention. Of course, you will have great managers and mentors, but “growing you” will account for a fraction of their efforts.

Use your dedicated developers wisely.

• Have access to human diversity — When you look around campus, there are so many people who, on the surface, seem nothing like you. From race, to religion, creed, background and income brackets, your upbringings may seem as metaphorically dissimilar as oil and water. However, you’re all working toward the same end goal, personal growth. In college, you can discover how truly similar we all are by spending time with people who aren’t like you. Break down the barriers and don’t waste this opportunity.

• Enjoy a personal chef —The dining hall chefs may have some mixed reviews, but having hot meals made by someone else is a treat.

Having so much variety is a novelty. Having people cater to your dietary needs and preferences is a luxury. The

dining halls may not always get five stars on Yelp but try to appreciate them for what they are.

• Participate in clubs and organizations — Sure, there are volleyball leagues and trivia teams at local taverns, but you will not have access to hundreds of free, local organizations after college.

Whether you live for athletics, volunteerism, activism or camaraderie, college offers a wealth of extra-curricular opportunity. Seize it.

• Have a career coach — The office of Career Services at SUNY Oswego has a definitive vision: “to help [students] explore, identify, and successfully compete for careers which match their personal and professional goals.” Whether you’re searching for help with networking, interviewing, resumes, grad school guidance, identifying a major/ minor or actually finding a job, Career Services has you

covered. When you enter the professional circuit, these services aren’t free. Spend your time wisely.

• Sleep in — Most adult professionals don’t get to sleep in. Pushing through exhaustion to get through the daily grind is one of the harder parts of adulting.

Relish in your ability to sleep late when you need to. This same logic applies to sick days. Be thankful for having time to rest.

• Have plenty of time for friends — As a professional, it becomes harder to make time for friends. It becomes even harder if you choose to start a family. As adults, most people still see their friends, but not half as much as they might like to. It also becomes harder to forge deep friendships as an adult. In college, you can talk about big things into the wee hours of the morning. Most people go through their college days with their friends in tandem,

whether it’s walking to class, studying or just hanging out.

Not to get too preachy and sappy, but friendship and time are precious gifts.

• Learn without producing — You have one true job in college, and that is to learn.

You may assemble tacos or sandwiches on the side to make a little money, but escaping the assembly line is why you’re pursuing higher education. While you’re in college, you don’t have to produce anything to earn a paycheck. You may produce research papers or class projects, but they are all means to a singular pursuit: your education. You’re not answering to a boss or doing what you have to do to earn your salary. All of your efforts are advancing your knowledge and growth. That focus on growth, instead of production, may be the single best characteristic of college.

How to Make a Good Impression on Your First Job

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

I

f you’re looking forward to soon starting your first “real” job in your chosen field, remember these tips for making a good first impression: 1. Dress right. For most professional positions, go conservative, not risqué. For ladies, cover up more than what may be your going out look. That means no visible cleavage, knee-length (if you go for a dress or skirt), closed shoes, no bare legs and a top with at least cap sleeves.

Gents, shave or neatly trim facial hair but skip the scruff.

Unbutton one button of your collared shirt and if it’s a dress shirt, wear a white crew neck T-shirt under it.

Wear a tie and jacket (you can always remove them if others don’t go dressy).

Avoid clothing that is too tight and see-through. Select something in a conservative

13 Spring 2020

color and print and dark, dressy shoes. Absolutely no straps or underwear should show, including camisoles or shirts trimmed to look like lacey camisoles. Don’t wear a hairstyle or fashion that constantly requires you to adjust them, like hair that falls in your face or maxi dresses or pants that need hiking up. Wear minimal jewelry and nothing that clangs or clatters. Mimic the overall style of what your interviewer wore.

2. Get a good haircut.

3. Clean your shoes.

4. Don’t wear an overpowering fragrance or bring smelly food in your lunch (like fish to reheat in the microwave). “Avoid smoking around the work hours,” said Meg Osborne, coordinator of Career Services with Cayuga Community College.

5. Arrive a little early.

Commuting traffic may differ from the day and time of the interview.

6. Be sociable. “There are often multiple qualified candidates for a position, so you were chosen because they felt like you were a great fit for their team,” said Taeko Kelly, business career coach with SUNY Oswego. “Get to know that team. We all want to impress our supervisors or the higher-ups when we first start by demonstrating a strong work ethic and sense of professionalism, but also prioritize building relationships with those folks and your new coworkers.”

7. Respect others. “You’re working with a lot of different people,” said Cara Battaglia, job placement specialist with Cayuga Community College. “Be attentive to the people in your surroundings. It’s a different culture

and different generational approaches to what’s acceptable.”

8. Do as you’re asked.

“Never hesitate to help others if you can,” Kelly said.

9. Ask for clarity. “Ask a lot of questions if you’re not sure how to handle a situation or if a project isn’t clear,” Osborne said.

10. Listen. “See how people are interacting in the workplace,” Osborne said.

11. Go easy with humor. Until you know your coworkers well, be pleasant but don’t try to be a jokester.

Certain coworkers may not

share your sense of humor.

12. Don’t talk about religion or politics (unless, of course, that’s the nature of your work).

13.. Avoid TMI. Over sharing about your personal life comes across as immature or emotionally needy.

14. Don’t favor some people “You’ll also want to avoid office cliques,” Kelly said.

15. “Don’t answer your cell phone or text,” Battaglia said. “Leave it in the car.

Understand the policies and don’t assume what it is.”

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them as a candidate but not what their personality and personal presentation is like and what kind of energy level they have,” said Meg Osborne, coordinator of career services with Cayuga Community College.

“Those are things that are very impactful, as are nontangible facets to identifying a good candidate. Employers get a better sense of that face to face.”

It’s friendlier. No one wants to hire a onedimensional person. Meeting live helps recruiting agents and company executives get to know applicants as whole persons. Even factors unrelated to the official list of job qualifications may help you get the job as the boss sees a little of herself in you.

networking

3.

4.It’s personable.

If you’re competing with someone with the same qualifications, you’ll get the job if your pleasant personality shines through compared with the applicants who seem stiff and pretentious.

“Networking face-to-face adds a level of connection and authenticity that is unattainable online,” Frans said.

It’s in-depth. It’s likely your resume is one page. There’s only so much you can and should say on it. When you talk face-to-face, you’re likely to share more about yourself.

The hiring agent or executive is also likely to share much more than what’s on a company website. In addition to helping the company know if they want to consider hiring you, this will help give you an idea of whether or not you want to work there.

5.

6 Things You Need to Keep in Mind

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

P

erhaps you have an amazing LinkedIn page and have connected with many business leaders online. You may comment thoughtfully on industry sites and blogs. That’s terrific; however, you should also network in person.

“Sixty to 80% percent of new hires are because of networking, not responding to

an ad,” said Cara Battaglia, job placement specialist with Cayuga Community College.

Anyone can be part of your network; however, “students should try as much as possible to meet with professionals in their field to build a strong network,” said Eric Frans, a career coach with SUNY Oswego. “This can start right in their classrooms

with their peers, professors, and staff members, and continue with alumni, past supervisors and members of their community.”

1.

It’s serendipitous.

Networking in person can help you meet on chance people whom you would never otherwise contact.

You may attend a job fair or industry workshop (which

increases your chances of meeting the right people more than just sitting in a coffee shop) without knowing who will be there and who’s looking for talent.

Sometimes, everything lines up in mysterious ways.

2.It’s dynamic.

“Someone posting on LinkedIn can give an employer information about

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6.It’s memorable.

Hiring agents and managers see many resumes a month. They can become a blur of dates and academic achievements and qualifications. If you meet for real — whether for coffee (your treat!) or at a job fair — you can create a more lasting impression.

It may seem uncomfortable at first, but you should get out there and mingle.

Always carry a supply of business cards bearing your contact information, your major and the type of position you’re seeking. Sites like www.vistaprint.com offer good quality cards at very affordable prices.

Also, if you and Ms. Boss seem to hit it off, politely ask for an interview. It may not be up to her to set up and conduct the interview, but asking makes your intentions known.

Spring 2020 14

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College Life

Life in the Universe Astronomy professor Scott Roby major force behind planetarium

By Alexander Plate

S

cott Roby has been an astronomy professor at SUNY Oswego since 1987. As the director of the planetarium, he has been a part of some major changes to the campus and the science department.

At 65 years of age, Roby is one of the longest-serving professors in the Oswego physics department.

Since he started at Oswego, the astronomy program has tripled in size, moved departments, moved buildings, and seen one of its main scientific instruments, the planetarium, totally updated.

“The astronomy program has grown, and it’s grown a lot since Dr. Kanbur came in, because he has a big research program with a lot of students,” Roby said, referring to professor Shashi Kanbur, an internationally known expert in pulsating stars which have been used to

determine the universe’s size and age. Kanbur teaches in the physics and earth sciences department.

In 2005, Roby instituted his first major change as the planetarium director, hosting weekly public shows at 7 p.m. every Sunday between September and June. That change nearly tripled the number of annual visitors from about 600 annually to about 1600.

The growth of the science department at SUNY Oswego has been dramatic, with the opening of the Shineman Science Center building in 2012 marking one of the largest investments the school has made into its science program since the 1960s. Originally, the planetarium was located in the now-demolished Snygg Hall, and was an analogue device, reliant on lightbulbs and domes with holes punched

into them to project an image of the night sky.

Roby took the chance to advocate for a new, fully digital planetarium when the planning for Shineman began.

“When we were doing the planning for the science building, I worked hard to promote the idea that we needed a new, digital planetarium,” Roby said.

The idea was taken to heart by the Oswego administration, and the planetarium was worked into the architectural plans, being placed right in the atrium of the new building, on the second floor.

Since the opening of the digital planetarium, Roby said that the number of annual visitors has again grown, and they now see about 3500 annual visitors.

Roby is still working hard to keep the planetarium

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Scott Roby, an astronomy professor at SUNY Oswego since 1987 and director of SUNY Oswego’s planetarium. updated, fun and educational. He says that even though he has been working with the software used to create the planetarium shows, and present them for more than five years, there is still about 20% left to discover.

“Every year, I challenge myself to do two new things in the planetarium that I haven’t done before,” Roby said.

He is also working with two staff members, training them on how to operate the

planetarium and produce shows.

Roby said he is looking forward to developing the 10 shows he plans on presenting to visitors this year, and he is looking forward to seeing the smiles on people’s faces as they leave the presentations.

“It’s fun to give a show and see all the smiles of people as they come out. That’s normal, that’s routine to see people leaving with a smile,” Roby said.

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College Life

Safeguard Your Online Reputation For some employers, checking your online presence is one of the first things they do

by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

I

n a few short years — or even months for some — you’ll be looking for your first “real” job to kick off your career. It’s an exciting time in your life. So much is changing so fast that it’s fun to share news, videos and pictures with friends and family. Sharing on social media also helps you feel connected to everyone at home.

But it’s also absolutely vital to keep your online persona squeaky clean.

“Social media is an extension of who we are, and most times, the first impression people have about us,” said Eric Frans, a career coach with SUNY Oswego.

“Many employers use social media to help determine whether a candidate would be a good fit with their company. Social media has shrunk the world and made many things public. Therefore, it’s important to have a positive online presence that accurately represents who

you are as a professional.”

Your online reputation is especially important when seeking positions that require a great deal of trust, such as anything financial; jobs that place vulnerable populations in your care, such as teaching, taking care of people who are elderly or disabled; and any type of job where you represent the company such as community relations, media relations, or managerial positions.

“It’s not just what you post but what others tag you in,” said Cara Battaglia, job placement specialist with Cayuga Community College. “It’s there forever and doesn’t go away. It’s the perfect example of how perception becomes reality. It’s how other people perceive what you’re saying.”

She added that some people in “trust” type of jobs should simply avoid social media or drop contact with people who would tag them

in risky posts.

Avoid posting: • copious alcohol consumption, or any if you’re under 21 • illicit drug use • controversy • jesting about illegal activity • “sick” jokes and dark or morbid humor • emotional solicitations (“If you really love me, you’ll respond. I bet no one will...” etc.).

• vague cries for help, like “I Just Can’t Take It Anymore” because it sounds like an immature bid for attention. (If you truly need help, call 911 or go to an emergency room.)

“It can raise questions about whether the candidate is a stable choice,” said Meg

Osborne, coordinator of Career Services with Cayuga Community College. “Employers want to hire people with good self-management skills and avoid hiring someone who would get to get really dramatic and upset.”

• troll comments meant to stir up trouble • arguments, name calling, insults and put-downs • complaints about professors, school or employment/your career choice • crude language Basically, don’t post it if your grandmother would feel offended. You can help curtail any negative social media attention by keeping your settings private to just family and friends; however, if any of them share your posts, they’ll circulate

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anyway.

Instead of letting social media hamper your future career, choose to use it positively. Post: • inspirational quotes, videos and photos.

• encouragement to others.

• positive news about your industry and school.

• uplifting community news.

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College Life

SUNY Oswego Earns High Ranking for International Opportunities

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ffering a world of opportunities for SUNY Oswego students has resulted in the college earning high national rankings in the most recent Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange.

Ranking 12th among master’s universities shows “that we at SUNY Oswego are displaying consistent excellence, performing at the highest national level for nearly two decades now,” said Joshua McKeown, the college’s associate provost for international education and programs. “It is gratifying to achieve this level of national ranking again.”

The annual report from the Institute of International Education and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is a comprehensive information resource on international students and scholars studying or teaching at higher education institutions in the United States, and U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit at their home colleges or universities.

“I believe it’s a campus-wide ethos that supports

international education in our students’ lives,” McKeown said. It shows a campus culture where, for example, faculty will take an idea and turn it into a larger international learning experience, offices like Financial Aid and Student Accounts “going the extra mile to show students that it’s feasible financially,” support like modern languages and literatures’ pioneering GETGO student grant program, and the global studies program embedding study abroad programming into the curriculum, he added.

McKeown said he and an “incredibly talented and diverse staff in the Office of International Education and Programs” have been purposeful in their approach to making more opportunities available to a larger population of campus.

“One of the things that I’ve tried deliberately to do in recent years is encourage new and, in some cases, non traditional disciplines and individual faculty to develop new international programs,” McKeown said, with examples in biological sciences, criminal justice, electrical

Meet Social Entrepreneur Ramatoulaye Sy SUNY Oswego from Senegal wins LaunchIt competition

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or Ramatoulaye Sy, a sophomore finance major from Senegal and the 2019 winner of SUNY Oswego’s LaunchIt student startup competition, her business is about helping people look and feel good, while also doing good.

AfroRock, an all-natural lotion to protect and maintain the hair and scalp, evolved out of Sy’s own needs and will help fund educational initiatives back in Senegal.

For winning LaunchIt, organized by the college’s Enactus student club and School of Business, Sy won

17 Spring 2020

$2,000 and an opportunity to advance to future regional competitions. The second-place idea, the friendship and events app Ice Breakers, earned $1,000, with $500 going to third-place entrants The Shipwreck, a proposed burger-based eatery.

Sy earned a scholarship to come to America as a teen to study and play basketball at Masters School in Dobbs Ferry. For her, adjusting to a new culture, strengthening her English skills and excelling in the classroom took precedence. Unable to find the products to maintain

Whether skydiving above the Alps in Switzerland like Jill Southwell or learning cultures and languages on the ground, SUNY Oswego students as well as international students who come to campus gain lifechanging experiences. The college’s efforts were recently recognized with a 12th-place national ranking for master’s universities in the most recent Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. and computer engineering, health promotion and wellness, human development, music and more.

“And two of those were nominated for and won SUNY Innovative Study Abroad Program awards, another achievement for us,” McKeown said. “Bottom line is that Oswego faculty and staff program administrators have risen to the challenge to improve and grow programs in any discipline and region of the world we can.”

Student experiences

Beyond the rankings, McKeown, his staff and all the partners appreciate the life-changing experiences that education abroad makes available to students.

“I definitely recommend

her hair the way she did back home, she ended up shaving her head at one point.

As her hair regrew, she found that creating a combination of oils and shea butter allowed the kind of hair treatment she desired.

Sy eventually learned she wasn’t alone in the challenge of finding a product that could help with specific hair needs, particularly for Africans and African-Americans.

She eventually set up the @afrorock_official Instagram account, which has around 11,700 followers and has influenced Sy following through on her entrepreneurial dream. She sold out her first stock in 24 hours, and currently fills about 100 to 150 orders every two weeks, seeing continuing growth potential.

Sy was particularly encouraged by one of her marketing teachers, Ernest Perfetti, who suggested working on an in-class marketing plan, and later encouraged her to enter the competition.

all students to take a study abroad trip because I believe it will help you find out things about yourself that you would have never known being stuck in your usual environment,” said Diandre Coote-Anderson, senior finance major who studied abroad in Shanghai, China.

“I also think it helps to improve being culturally diverse so you can be more relatable when connecting with people in the future,” Coote-Anderson added.

“You can also be more understanding of the things people have grown up doing that are different from you. Overall it helps to understand how people are the way they are and how they got to where they are.”

The sense of commu-

nity and connectedness impressed him. “The Chinese students would spend time studying in the lounge throughout the day while also taking healthy breaks to keep themselves focused,” Coote-Anderson recalled.

“They, of course, studied in groups to make studying easier and to socialize at the same time. ... I realized that being social is a much better lifestyle to live. It’s much more exciting and makes you feel happy and healthy.”

For more information on studying abroad and as an international student at SUNY Oswego, visit oswego. edu/international.

For more information on the Open Doors report, as well as more data, infographics and resources, visit iie. org/opendoors.

Ramatoulaye Sy (holding check), a sophomore finance major from Senegal, won the 2019 edition of SUNY Oswego’s LaunchIt student startup competition with her product AfroRock, an all-natural lotion to protect and maintain the hair and scalp.

College Life

Librarian from Penfield Library Enjoying Retirement

By Alexander Plate

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ven at 67 years old, Ray Morrison is finding retirement to be just as busy as working was, albeit in a different way.

After working as an academic librarian for 44 years, spending the last 10 years of his career at SUNY Oswego’s Penfield Library, Morrison retired at the end of the summer. Since starting his retirement, however, he says his schedule has been filled just the same — with home repair, preparing to host a college student for

the semester and helping his wife after a surgery.

Morrison said he had mixed feelings when his final day of work was finished.

Ray Morrison

“When I left the building, it was kind of a weird feeling,” Morrison said.

“Like, ‘this is the last time I’m going to walk out of here [as an employee]’. Then about 30 minutes later, I was like ‘who cares?”

Libraries have changed a lot over the last 50 years, and Morrison said he would never have guessed what libraries would become. From the growing importance of computers, to the relaxation of the dress code, he said that so much has changed.

“I remember when I first started as a librarian. We had the card catalogue, we didn’t have computers, and libraries were extremely quiet, you know?” Morrison said.

“You’d have the old stereotype of a librarian going around shushing people.”

Morrison came to SUNY Oswego after working as a library director at MidAmerica Nazarene University. He said he wanted to be more involved with students and education when he came to Oswego and decided to become a reference librarian again.

“I didn’t want to be an administrator anymore. I loved being in reference and instruction,” Morrison said.

“I love to teach; that’s what I’m going to miss the most about here.”

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Morrison said he has many plans for his retirement years, ways to give back to the community and to share his passions with the world. He said he would like to volunteer with the local Bookmobile, or read to local schoolchildren.

Another one of his major interests is genealogy, and he hopes to be able to share this passion with local nursing home residents.

“Some of the things I plan to do is to go into the nursing home and work with the residents, talk with them about genealogy, and how they can help their families develop their family trees by sharing information,” Morrison said. “‘Cause once they’re gone, all that information that is getting shared, gets lost.”

First class of Cayuga Community College’s occupational therapy assistant program

CCC’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Gains Momentum First class graduating this May

By Deborah Jeanne Sergean

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or years, Cayuga Community College had not added many new programs. Sticking with what works makes sense, especially for a community college.

But an uptick in the need for occupational therapy provided the catalyst to add the occupational therapy assistant program four years ago.

Meanwhile, Joan Meyers, a licensed occupational therapist at Gavras Center in Auburn, used her master’s in education degree while serving as an adjunct profes-

sor at Onondaga Community College. Meyers felt the tug toward going fulltime in education shortly after CCC began the occupational therapy assistant program. The school brought her onboard in 2014 to develop the program further.

“This opening came up and I thought it was time to do something different,” she said.

She said that CCC’s launching the program was timely for the community as well.

“There’s a need for healthcare programs in Oswego County,” Meyers said.

“We especially need this, considering the demographics of Oswego County. It’s an underserved population.

Some children are on waiting lists to receive therapy services.”

She views the program as a great opportunity for certain students.

“For someone interested in helping people and having an effect on people’s lives, it’s an excellent opportunity,” Meyers said.

In general, community college students tend to be locals, so offering the opportunity to learn at home may keep them living local after they graduate, especially if their school promotes clinical field placement, like CCC. “Some of our students were hired on by the same companies,” Meyers said.

In addition to working as therapy assistants, graduates may pursue other possibilities such as community health programming, wellness programs and other types of therapy like hip-

potherapy, using horses to work with patients.

“They might be trained to do types of services for homeless shelters,” Meyers said. “We had a student do a field placement at a refuge center.”

Last spring, 10 students completed the four-year program and nine are anticipated to graduate this year.

When the program started, the it still was in the accreditation process. Meyers feels sure that now that it’s completed, the interest in the program will only increase.

The biggest surprise Meyers encountered was how much networking she needed to do when developing and launching the program since it was new to the college.

“I had to reach out to others at colleges with similar programs,” Meyers said. “Everyone’s been very helpful.”

She had never developed curriculum before, so that was a new challenge, especially since it had to meet national accreditation standards.

“My biggest hope for the students is that they will be creative and professional and curious,” she said. “I want them to go out and still have a curiosity and seek out new learning.”

Meyers owns therapy dogs that work as comfort animals. She has brought them on campus to help students de-stress while studying for final exams, and to places like nursing homes for residents’ enjoyment. She is involved with rescue organizations for Bernese mountain dogs.

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College Life Rank of Largest Fast Food Restaurants in the U.S. 1.

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McDonald’s Starbucks Subway Taco Bell Chick-fil-A Wendy’s Burger King Dunkin’ Donuts Domino’s Panera Bread

Based on U.S. sales in 2018, according to QSR magazine.

Fast Food Frenzy Three titans of fast food industry make presence felt in Port City

By Lou Sorendo

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ast and furious. That describes the growth of fast food options in the city of Oswego this year.

Dunkin’ Donuts, Taco Bell and Stewart’s have kicked up the fast food industry in the Port City with new locations, joining the likes of McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, Subway, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, and KFC. Is this a recurring trend throughout all of Central New York?

Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, said consumers look for quick meal options that can be eaten off-premises, and they are turning to quick service and fast casual restaurants.

A fast casual restaurant does not offer full table service, but advertises higher quality food than fast food restaurants, with fewer frozen or processed ingredients.

It is an intermediate concept between fast food and casual dining, and normally priced accordingly.

“As many of these chains

19 Spring 2020

are beginning to offer a more diverse set of options on their menus to meet the demands of their customers, they have become a more appealing option,” Fleischut said. “We expect to see this trend continue as people seek more convenient options for their busy lifestyles.”

Nationally, the fast food industry is expected to have an annual growth of 2.5% for the next several years.

“All of the projections for the restaurant industry in New York state show that our growth is lagging far behind the national average,” Fleischut said. “But it is fair to say they have continued to be a popular option for customers. With people constantly being on the go, the convenience of grabbing fast food, along with some restaurants offering healthier options than before, they have given customers more of a reason to get their food from them.”

She noted the New York State Restaurant Association has noticed a shift from traditional, sit-down restaurants to fast or fast casual concepts.

Factors driving increase Fleischut spoke to the factors that drive an increase in fast food restaurant options in a given area.

“From what we have seen, the population density of a given area seems to drive the decisions of many fast food chains about where they choose to locate their restaurants,” she said.

For example, and as expected, fast food chains are not as prevalent in rural areas as they are in more urban areas, she noted.

“However, if there is a larger college or university located in a town, you will tend to see a larger cluster of fast food restaurant chains in that area compared to nearby towns,” she noted.

SUNY Oswego is the top employer in Oswego County (1,746) and features more than 8,000 students.

Despite the connotation of fast food equating to unhealthy food choices, they are making a conscious effort to feature more healthier

food options.

“You’re certainly seeing many fast food chains beginning to offer healthier options with Americans trying to be more health-conscious,” Fleischut said.

She noted there are also more restaurants promoting healthy or organic ingredients.

“It’s certainly been successful, as some of the fastest-growing chains in the country have focused on healthy options for diners,” she added.

Fast food restaurants,

along with fast casual restaurants, account for more than 50% of sales in the entire restaurant sector.

“There does appear to be more fast casual dining establishments popping up in New York,” Fleischut said.

These restaurants are able to offer similar speed and efficiency in getting food to their customers as fast food restaurants, while having the feel of a sit-down restaurant, she noted.

“These establishments also tend to emphasize fresh, local ingredients in the meals. It is a trend that appears to be growing and there is certainly a place for both fast and fast casual concepts in the marketplace,” she said.

Examples are Five Guys, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Boston Market.

Taco Bell is the latest fast food restaurant to open in Oswego — on the east side of the city.

College Life

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