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Community Corner

Engineering, Computer Technology Career Open House Nov. 7

Baker College of Flint will host a free open house 4 p.m.-8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, where prospective students and their families can learn about academic programs and careers in engineering, computers, cyber defense and photonics, among others. It will be at the Center for Engineering and Computer Technology, 1050 W. Bristol Road, Flint. The public is invited.

Attendees will have access to faculty, administration, students and alumni to discuss specific academic programs. Related labs will be open for tours where students will demonstrate industry-grade equipment and share what they do in their programs. Business representatives will also be available to discuss careers in their industries.

“This is a great opportunity to learn about many academic programs from several sources at one location,” said Anca Sala, Ph.D., Baker College of Flint dean of engineering and computer technology. “These programs offer education and training for careers in high-demand fields.”

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Labs open for tours will be:

·      The new photonics lab, supported, in part, by a grant from the National Science Foundation’s (NSF’s) Advanced Technological Education program

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·      The cyber range computer lab, patterned after the U.S. military cyber ranges

·      The materials science lab used by students in mechanical, civil and electrical engineering programs as well as welding

·      Other labs including rapid prototyping, robotics, computer animation, thermal science, computer-aided engineering, manufacturing, architectural studio.

Sala points out that engineering and computer science graduates have been in high demand and commanded some of the higher starting salaries for many years. Graduates of Baker College’s new two-year associate degree program in photonics and laser technology will likely join that group.

U.S. educational programs for photonics technicians are expected to graduate about 300 students this year. That’s short of the national need by two-thirds, according to the National Center for Optics and Photonics Education (OP-TEC). This annual deficit is not projected to improve significantly through 2017. This year’s graduates averaged between three and four job offers, each with $40,000-$50,000 starting salaries.

Specific programs represented at the open house are:

·      Bachelor’s degrees in engineering disciplines (civil, electrical, mechanical and industrial), architectural technology, computer science, mobile application software engineering, cyber defense, information technology and security

·      Associate degree technology programs in mechanical, electronic, CAD and design, architectural/construction, photonics and laser, advanced manufacturing

·      Several associate degree computer information systems programs

·      A certificate program for CNC operator

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected job market for computer and information system managers is expected to increase by 18 percent from 2010 to 2020. Projected employment increases for engineers range from 6 percent to 19 percent, depending upon the discipline, for the same 10-year time period.

For more information about the open house, contact the admissions office at 810.766.4000 or jodi.cuneaz@baker.edu.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It is a nonprofit higher education institution, serving more than 35,000 students on 12 campuses and in three satellite locations. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, health sciences, education and human services, and various technical fields, as well as a doctorate of business administration. As a career college, the Baker College system is pleased to report that 97 percent of its available graduates are employed. For more information about Baker College, please check out our website at www.baker.edu

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