Project ECTEC: Exploration of Computing and Technology Education and Careers

Exploration of Computing and Technology Education and Careers (ECTEC) at Buffalo State is a one-year project funded by SUNY Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Recognizing the national and state need for a larger STEM workforce and more critically for a technically-trained workforce and changes made to the Intellectual Foundations program, the project is designed to increase the interest and representation of traditionally underrepresented groups in engineering technology and computer information systems. By including a new course “Information and Engineering Technologies Want You” (IETWY), the project seeks to improve awareness, interest, readiness and motivation of underrepresented students to enter undergraduate programs in the computing and technology disciplines, and to consider engineering, technology or computer related career paths. In collaboration with University College, a series of informational sessions with guest speakers has been prepared for the fall 2013 semester with the goal of creating an awareness of the computer and engineering educational trajectories and career pathways. The aim is to institutionalize all of the successful components of this project. The poster presentation will comprise of different elements of the project ECTEC.