Academics

Classes are a big part of the GCC experience – find out all the great opportunities that are in store.

How is Batavia NY is Different from my Hometown?

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Batavia NY is much different from my hometown in East Asia. Even thought they have about same population size, they have a quite different characteristics.

At first, a climate between two towns was killing me! My hometown belongs to the Temperate Zone, so I never experienced such a crazy snow and freezing temperature until I spent a winter in Batavia. Otherwise, summer weather in Batavia is very enjoyable, but my hometown is not because of its humidity and seriously high temperatures.

Another difference is the topographical factor. There is no ocean in Batavia, but it is located right next to two large lakes; Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Plus, it is a flat field suitable for farming corn and dairy farms. My hometown has both mountain range and inland sea, and prospers oyster farming while making use of the terrain.

Without having my own automobile in Batavia, the limited transportation reduces range of activities I can participate in. The B-line Bus Service and taxis are the only ways you move in Batavia without a car. Those services are not enough for people who do not have an automobile. My hometown has bus, taxi, train, and bullet train. The train is very expedient for communing to downtown, and bullet train is the easiest way for traveling to all around an area.

The difference between living in these two towns gives is challenging to adjust to.

-Makoto Le

Returning to school at age 38

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I was nervous about starting Genesee Community College. As an adult I felt that I was a little out of place. I figured the students would make fun of me because I’m old enough to be their parent. I have grown a lot because of my experience returning to school as an adult.

Returning to school had me a little frightened due to not knowing how much academic work was expected of me. When I went to college the first time I didn’t have to study that hard because I was able to retain a lot of information without writing anything down. I didn’t know what to expect 20 years later. Half of the time I can’t remember my own husband’s name. How was I going to retain class lectures plus homework information?

Now that I’ve been at Genesee Community College for a year, I’ve learned that I’m smarter than I thought. The kids in my class like me and some admire me. I’ve learned that there are many different ways for me to study. The method that works for me is using flash cards as well as taking notes during class. I often set aside time on the weekends to study the flash cards or read ahead to have all the weeks reading assignments completed or at least attempted. These techniques have helped me assimilate to being a college student. These methods have also helped in my acquiring Dean’s List status every semester so far.

To conclude, the experiences that I’ve learned here at GCC as an adult student has prepared me to further my education. One thing that would help this school be more marketable to adult students is separate areas for 25 and older to hang out. Sometimes it’s frustrating sitting in the student union with younger students and not knowing where I fit in. If there was a designated area for adults than at least we could feel a sense of belonging.

– Yolanda Ransom

STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math!

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The Career Services Department is hosting an Employer STEM Networking Event for students interested in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math on Thursday, March 6 from 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm in the Forum!

Register for this event to network with multiple employers, including:

  • RIT
  • Genesee Community College (IT & Media)
  • Liberty Pumps
  • GCEDC
  • Town of Batavia
  • Morton Salt
  • Genesee County Soil & Water
  • Xerox
  • Five Star Bank
  • Lapp Insulator
  • Oxbo Corp.
  • Cornell Cooperative Extension
  • EMA Design

Dress to impress, and have your questions ready to ask employers about their career path, future internship and employment opportunities, and anything else you can think of!

LIM Takes GCC

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This past Monday, GCC was able to receive a visit from a representative of one of the most distinguished fashion schools in New York and the world. Anthony M. Urmey, Assistant Director of Admissions and Transfer Services at LIM, spoke to the Fashion Business students of GCC about all that LIM has to offer. LIM is situated amongst the skyscrapers of NYC; with its academic buildings located in Midtown East, and dorm buildings a 15-minute metro ride away on 1760 3rd Ave, LIM is the best choice of school for fashion students who are looking to break-in to the industry. LIM offers a variety of degrees, including (but not limited to): BBA BPS in Fashion Merchandising, BBA in Marketing, BBA in Management, and BBA in Visual Merchandising. LIM is one of a few fashion schools that offers a bachelor’s degree in visual merchandising. During his presentation, Anthony Urmey made a point of mentioning that when looking at schools for transfer that it is important to be aware of the accreditation of the school you are looking to transfer to. LIM for example is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Anthony also placed great emphasis on finding the transfer school that fits you best through the use of exploring the credentials of the school’s faculty. Professors tend to be most effective in teaching subject matter when they have experience in/worked in the field of concern. Many of LIM’s professors work full-time in the fashion industry while teaching, making them readily available to provide students with insight on topics of concern and professional connections.

Anthony M. Urmey of LIM speaking to fashion students

Anthony M. Urmey of LIM speaking to fashion students

Part of what sets LIM apart from other fashion schools based out of NYC is its unique internship requirements. All students at LIM are required to have completed three internships (approximately 150 hours). The first internship the students are required to participate in is in the area of retail. The second internship is within corporate/management and can be picked based upon the specific career interests/goals of the student. The third internship that students must complete is the senior co-op, which involves intensive hands-on work and serves as a career transition for students. Anthony said this of LIM’s internship programs: “the more proactive students are going to get the better spots”, landing an internship in NYC is very competitive, therefore students who are looking to apply to LIM should have a strong passion for the fashion industry and be willing to work hard. Anthony advised the fashion students at GCC to also be aware of the employment rates of graduates from schools that you are looking to transfer to. The whole concept of university-based education relies on the hope of being employable after receiving your degree, by looking at these stats you become informed of your chances of earning a professional position after you have received your degree. In 2011, 97% of LIM graduates seeking positions were employed within nine months of graduation. Tuition at LIM is $24,225; though it may come at a high cost, the education earned from LIM is a great investment; this is proved through the very low loan default rate of 2 ½ % and high employment rates of LIM graduates. If the price tag of LIM is the only thing stopping you from sending in your application for transfer then its time to reconsider. GCC students have an advantage when applying to LIM; everyone who graduates from GCC will receive $1,000 tacked onto their financial awards from LIM. GCC and LIM also have an articulation agreement as of 2011, enabling GCC students to enter LIM as a junior in their program of choice. So get your applications in right away! If you’re planning on transferring Anthony recommends that students at GCC should send in applications as early as possible. Don’t forget to submit your college transcripts, high school transcripts, a well-written essay, two letters of recommendation, and your resume! Good luck to all those who are currently applying to LIM, and for all those who follow in their footsteps.

-Ami Cornell

Started from the burbs now I’m here

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I felt like Harry Potter when he first arrived at Hogwarts when I got to Genesee Community College. I never visited the school before coming and didn’t know anyone before I came. I hopped on the Metra train at Chicago Union Station in Downtown Chicago, Illinois around 11 p.m. on January 11th and arrived in Depew, New York the following morning. I was greeted by Coach Sherman who took me into Batavia for the first time and gave me a tour. This is where my journey began.

After living in Lansing, Illinois my entire life, it is very odd for me to call Batavia, New York my new home. Lansing is a smaller town in the South Suburbs of Chicago, located approximately 25 minutes away from downtown. It is on the border of Indiana with neighboring towns of Cal City and Munster. The weather is actually fairly similar but mostly everything else varies. Lansing Illinois has a population of around 28,000, whereas Batavia’s population is much smaller. Lansing is a south suburb of Chicago and Batavia is in Upstate New York. The demographics are definitely not the same but I would say that Batavia is more diverse due to the fact that it is a college town.

Batavia appears to be an older town than Lansing. The houses are contrasting, not only structurally but also geographically. A lot of the local businesses are unique to the area and are not found in Lansing. Laws, rules and regulations differ slightly in Batavia. Prices are higher out here than in Lansing but tax is higher in Lansing because it is in Cook County. There is a lot less crime in Batavia than there is in Lansing. The scenery differs from Lansing because there is a lot more open land here.

I noticed that the language, slang, and terms used out here are different from what I am used to back home. The lifestyle is one of a kind here because of the location. Niagara Falls is in the area, as well as Canada and Buffalo. Before coming to Batavia I never heard of a garbage plate, but I think it is one of the best discoveries I have made. The last difference is that Batavia is a little wealthier than Lansing overall.

Nothing can replace Lansing because it will always have a place in my heart but Batavia is a really cool and unique place to live. I have met so many cool people and really look forward to living here for this whole semester and baseball season.

-Bobby Colantuono

It’s Time to Get LinkedIn

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Want to scare a college student? Just ask them: “What are you going to do after you graduate?” Nothing will get their palms sweating quicker; their eyes will enlarge to the size of satellites as they begin an internal monologue “oh god, what am I going to do after college, I have the degree but now what?” Exactly. Now what? When you’ve just recently graduated from college, finding a job in your professional field can be impossible. According to a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), businesses planned to hire only 2.1 percent more college graduates from the class of 2013 than they did from the class of 2012. The future of college grads is looking bleaker than ever; however, there is no need to throw in the proverbial towel. There is hope for us all yet. As current college students it is time for us to build up our resumes and differentiate ourselves as much as we possibly can from other job candidates. We have increasingly become a social media and technology reliant society; the job application process has now become heavily focused on separating oneself from other applicants through the use of technology as well. With the use of the social networking site for people in professional occupations known as LinkedIn recent college grads have the opportunity to include all of the factoids about themselves that make them who they are in and outside of the workplace.

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Jackie Vetrano helping a student with their profile

On Wednesday, Jackie Vetrano, the Web and Social Media Coordinator here at GCC, and John McGowan, career services coordinator at GCC, spoke to the Professional Sales class about how to make the LinkedIn profile the best reflection of yourself and use it as a tool to gain job offers in professional fields. Jackie and John told the class that the LinkedIn profile should be looked at as a supplement to your existent resume. Any photos posted on the LinkedIn profile page should be professional, especially the profile image that is used, as it serves as the first impression for potential employers and other people who browse through your profile. Other important points that Jackie and John went over include: editing the web link to your LinkedIn profile and making it simpler and easy to search for, using a professional email address (this means no xoxogossipgirl@aim.com email addresses, time to put them to bed), a personal statement that sells your skillset in an appealing way. Honors and awards received should not be overlooked as well; they provide employers with context of your provided skills and encourage follow-up inquiry if a job position is on the table. During the LinkedIn instruction, Jackie Vetrano told the students “ nothing is too trivial, you have infinite space, take advantage of it!” This is the beauty of LinkedIn, it’s a website filled with professionals, this is your chance to show-off; this type of opportunity should be taken seriously.

With the use of LinkedIn, and people like Jackie Vetrano and John McGowan who are grooming college students to make themselves standout on these social media platforms, GCC graduates will have a much easier time finding careers in the professional fields of their choosing. So it’s time for everyone to get LinkedIn and link up!

Dansville vs. Batavia

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My hometown of Dansville compared to Batavia is so much different. Where I come from there are more things to do and way less traffic. In Dansville there are about four traffic lights and in Batavia there are more than ten. Also the police know you by name and are nicer compared to Batavia.

On the typical weekends I’m usually out sitting around a fire talking with some friends and laughing. In Batavia the only thing you can do is sit in your apartment because there are no woods around here, it is mostly swamps. I’m used to the mentality of being country and I like that. There’s nothing better than to know how to survive off the land and get a little dirt on your tires. Can’t do that in Batavia!

When in high school, I never really thought I would want to go back to Dansville, but I miss it greatly. I’m really looking forward to this summer and getting ready to go home but most importantly spending time with my family and friends that I never get to see that often. When I graduate from college I want to move to Colorado and live in a country town just like Dansville.

– Colin Vogt

Revival

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Imagine having an image of a high fashion garment in your mind, and seeing that same creation walking down the runway in Western New York’s largest fashion show. With Genesee Community College’s fashion programs, this dream is my reality. Since this is my sophomore year in the fashion design program, I have the ability to create a complete look, from sketchpad to runway.

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This year, the 33rd Annual Fashion Show is entitled “Ethereal”; meaning too perfect to be in this world. Think heavenly gates meets the secret garden. For my scene, I wanted to keep with the theme of a mysterious garden, but also keep it ready-to-wear. With the help of beautiful models, I will be taking used clothes from Goodwill, Salvation Army, and even my own closet and giving them a new life.With my own twist added to the torn apart garments, I will be creating my own Spring line for my scene: Revival.

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The scene will begin with ready-to-wear. More traditional clothes but with a combination of styles and patterns. Along with conventional materials, there will also be some uncommon additions to the clothing. As each model enters and exits the runway, the complete look will intensify – becoming more divine.

Working up to the final models, the overall scene will be fully ethereal. Hair and makeup will reflect the style and fabric of the garments to create brand new look.

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Want to experience these one-of-a-kind fashions? Come toGenesee Community College, Saturday April, 26th 2014 at 3pm or 7pm. Whether you’re a high school student, grandparent, freshman, or senior, male or female, there is something for everyone. Remember, this is one day only. Get ready for Ethereal.

Gary Glaser – More Than Just a Bio Professor!

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Although he works as a Biology professor here at GCC, Gary Glaser enjoys spending time with his camera and reinventing his business – Glaser Studios.

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Gary Glaser is a very talented photographer who has managed to find the balance between his work at GCC and passion for the art of photography. He has become involved in the Western New York community, working at events such as the  Mercedes Benz Buffalo Fashion Show, 2013 FAME Fashion Show, Gatsby Buffalo to Benefit Summit Foundation, and helping out at GCC by photographing the annual fashion show as well as our visit from Project Runway winner Anya Ayoung-Chee. 1075713_692665084092323_2122781401_n

He is currently renewing his business with a name change from Glaser Photography to Glaser Studios, which is no easy task, especially with the responsibilities as a professor! He has been working hard to recreate his website, as well as his Facebook page – now featuring a photo package giveaway!

Do you know any great GCC faculty or staff members? Let us know!

A Visit from Verizon Wireless

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Blog submitted by Kevin Bucki

 On Friday November 8th two representatives from Verizon Wireless, Mr. Jon Spencer and Ms. Cindy Carpenter visited Mr. Dudkowski’s 8 am Professional Sales class. They spoke about cell phone apps that can be used for school and work in addition to discussing and coaching students on how to respond to job interview questions. They also invited students to Verizon’s 1st annual Networking Event on Tuesday, November 19th from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Verizon Call Center at 133 Calkins Road, Rochester, NY.

 Jon and Cindy explained that most cell phone apps can be found at both the App store for Apple and on the Android market. Some of the apps are free or cost only one or two dollars. They said that some of the apps can store data on a cloud system. The best apps include: PenUltimate, PenSupremacy, NoteAbility, DictaDroid, Kno TextBooks, NCRT, Pages, KingSoft, KeyNote, iTunes Univesity, TED Talks, Power Point Open Office Remote, SimpleMind, Mind Canvas, PocketPoll and Anywhere Survey.

 Some of the different kinds of apps that were talked about would help with note-taking, recorder, online learning, document editing to name a few. Most note-taking apps let you draw diagrams that can help you with notes. Recorder apps let you play back lectures that can help you improve your notes and get more content. Document apps let you edit document and PDF files right on your mobile device. Brainstorming apps let you send your idea to other people and get feedback on what others think on your idea.

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