Latest news with #SUNYErie
Forbes
17-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Gen Z's New College Calculus: Skills, Not Stadiums
Close view of mature female educator standing between early 20s classmates and offering guidance as ... More they work on project. Property release attached. When Emily Rodriguez toured colleges in 2022, the 24-year-old bypassed campus amenities and asked admissions counselors a single question: "How many graduates land jobs in their field within six months?" Now a nursing student at New York's SUNY Erie Community College, Rodriguez exemplifies a fundamental shift reshaping higher education. The era of selecting universities for their manicured quads or state-of-the-art recreation centers is fading. Today's students—confronting mounting student debt concerns, AI disruption, and fierce competition for jobs—prioritize credentials, internships, and practical skills over traditional college experiences. States like New York have taken notice, offering tuition-free programs for high-demand fields such as teaching and nursing through initiatives like the NYS Free Tuition Program. A 2023 Gallup survey revealed that 85% of Gen Z students rank "career preparation" as their primary consideration when selecting a college, a significant increase from 62% in 2010. This shift reflects profound economic anxiety: With 3.6 million federal positions eliminated through recent budget cuts and artificial intelligence increasingly automating entry-level roles, students increasingly view higher education as a critical survival tool rather than a four-year hiatus from reality. The disruption manifests across industries: AI's Impact on Entry-Level Positions: Global consumer goods giant Unilever has deployed AI chatbots for customer service functions traditionally filled by recent graduates. According to Reuters, major law firms now utilize tools like Casetext to draft documents, diminishing demand for paralegals. STEM's Strategic Pivot: Employer preferences have shifted toward data analysts over traditional scientists. Georgia Tech has responded by introducing a Bachelor of Science in Computational Data Science, replacing calculus-heavy curricula with coursework in data visualization and machine learning applications. New York's "Free College for High-Demand Careers" initiative, which targets adults aged 25-60, underscores a nationwide trend. Tennessee and California have implemented similar programs, channeling students into healthcare, technology, and skilled trades through initiatives like Tennessee Reconnect. "We're investing in jobs that can't be outsourced or automated," says New York Governor Kathy Hochul. The impact on individual students is profound: Priya Kumar, 28: After years in retail, Kumar enrolled in tuition-free coding boot camps to transition into cybersecurity. "My previous position paid $15 per hour and could have easily been eliminated by automation," she explains. Marcus Lee, 19: Selected an HVAC certification program over pursuing a liberal arts degree. "The prospect of substantial debt concerned me more than missing out on the traditional college social scene," he admits. Today's graduates face challenges unseen since the Great Depression. According to Zillow data, median monthly rent has climbed to $1,982, while entry-level compensation fails to keep pace. Simultaneously, 40% of employers report that new hires lack essential AI literacy skills, according to LinkedIn research. For generations, obtaining a degree translated to career stability. Today, 65% of Gen Z anticipates job-hopping to secure salary growth, according to Pew Research—even traditionally secure fields like technology require constant upskilling. After his employer automated his initial role, data analyst Carlos Mendez invested $5,000 in cloud computing courses. "Ceasing to learn means becoming obsolete," he observes. While the employment landscape continues evolving, human-centric professions—teaching, healthcare, and social work—will remain relevant. As artificial intelligence transforms industries, successful students will blend practical considerations with meaningful purposes. As Rodriguez says, "I chose nursing because robots can't hold a patient's hand. That's my competitive advantage."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SUNY Erie offering free tuition program for adults starting in the fall
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Adults from New York who don't already have a college degree can apply to earn a free associates degree at SUNY Erie this fall through a new program. New Yorkers aged 25-55 years old are eligible to apply to the SUNY Reconnect program. After financial aid is applied, the program will cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies. The program covers in-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, green and renewable energy, nursing and other health fields, and technology. Students who are already enrolled at SUNY Erie and those who have college credits can apply. In addition, students in the program can attend classes part-time or full-time. Click here for more information. Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz to deliver state of county address
Watch the address live in the video player above. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz will deliver his 2025 State of the County address on Wednesday. The speech is scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m. at SUNY Erie's North Campus. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UB and SUNY Erie to advance workforce development in microelectronics
The University at Buffalo and SUNY Erie Community College — and their cleanrooms — are teaming up to boost workforce development and education in the microelectronics and semiconductor industry. Both institutions will expand UB's Cleanroom Fundamentals course into an online experience. This partnership will deliver a full spectrum of microelectronics education and also help the institutions secure state and federal funding for microelectronics research. UB, a long-time leader in semiconductor and microelectronics research and education, launched the Center for Advanced Semiconductor Technologies in 2024 shortly after the Buffalo-Rochester-Syracuse region was designated a federal tech hub following the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act – a $280 billion effort to boost microchip research and production in the United States. The Center for Advanced Semiconductor Technologies, The Center for Industrial Effectiveness (TCIE) and SUNY Erie are joining forces to offer a new digital version of UB's Cleanroom Fundamentals course. The course provides students interested in a STEM career with insights into semiconductor manufacturing and technologies. 'We're excited about this opportunity to partner with the University at Buffalo to bring the Cleanroom Fundamentals Course to SUNY Erie. The implementation of the course at our college is in the planning stages; once complete, we plan to offer the course through our Office of Workforce Development,' said SUNY Erie President Adiam Tsegai. 'At SUNY Erie, we foster many partnerships such as this one that help ensure academic success for our students and those who participate in our workforce development programs.' This new online course features a digital hands-on lab component, giving students the full experience of being in the cleanroom. In addition to the lecture and learning the concepts associated with the cleanrooms, students will fabricate a patterned wafer using photolithography and etch technologies. UB and SUNY Erie are working with Micron Technology, Inc., one of the world's largest semiconductor manufacturers to develop the course. 'Our ultimate goal is to enlarge the United States semiconductor workforce pipeline,' says Timothy Leyh, executive director of TCIE. 'By leveraging UB's funded and proposed programs, we will use Micron's gift to scale this course, and encourage students already interested in STEM to pursue semiconductor occupations by bringing into focus the global, social and environmental issues the technologies can address, as well as the career potential.' Micron is building a 1,400-acre semiconductor fabrication facility in New York State that will create nearly 50,000 New York jobs. The U.S.-based corporation will build the largest cleanroom in the nation, in another step toward addressing the demand of consumer, industrial and business products. 'The semiconductor industry is undergoing a remarkable renaissance at present and the demand for a skilled workforce to support this progress is only expected to grow over time,' says Jon Bird, director of the Center for Advanced Semiconductor Technologies, and professor and chair in the Department of Electrical Engineering. 'Together, with Micron and SUNY Erie, we are dedicated to creating valuable learning experiences that bridge the gap between academia and industry.' UB's cleanroom is one of the most advanced in Western New York, complete with nanolithography, deposition and etching capabilities – all critical processes in semiconductor fabrication. The cleanroom, located on UB's North Campus, also provides project consultation, workforce training/education and several other services. SUNY Erie's cleanroom, located in the Center for Nanotechnology Studies on the college's North Campus, is one of the only community college-hosted cleanrooms in New York State. Its technology can manipulate particles within an advanced manufacturing process. UB and SUNY Erie aim to have the course live during Fall 2025.
