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Ready for new endeavors
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| H&N photo by Andrew Mariman Sarah Bryan, Jenavi Iida and Benjamin Roberts chat on OIT’s campus about their future plans. The three will graduate at Saturday’s ceremony. |
June 16, 2007
Oregon Institute of Technology’s 600-plus graduates will begin post-campus life in a variety of new endeavors after today’s commencement.
Most will accept jobs at salaries substantially above average for Oregon college and university grads. Others will opt for further study. The Herald and News talked with three 2007 graduates to find out where they are headed and how they spent their university years.
Sarah Bryan, 22, graduates with a degree in civil engineering. She will soon begin a job with the Washington Department of Transportation in Olympia, Wash., working in the traffic engineering office.
Like many OIT students who receive early job offers, Bryan accepted the position in March.
She got extensive experience during her college years by taking part in activities such as the steel bridge team and concrete canoe competition. Bryan also played goalie on the OIT women’s soccer team for four years, coached youth soccer and worked in the Sponsored and Pre-College Programs office while maintaining a 3.5 grade-point average.
The South Medford High School graduate received the Student Achievement award during Friday’s student awards brunch. She also was part of the steel bridge team that received the Pride of OIT award.
And she was on the civil engineering senior class sustainability team that was a nominee for the same award.
Bryan said she couldn’t be happier with the education she received at OIT.
“The interaction with teachers is leaps and bounds above what you get at other schools,” she said.
Jenavi Iida of Maui, Hawaii, is weighing several jobs offers in vascular technology, including one from a New Jersey firm where she did her externship and other positions on the West Coast.
The 21-year-old graduate is headed for a career using ultrasound to scan veins and arteries looking for blockages. Iida anticipated little trouble finding a job, saying, “OIT’s name is known out there.”
She received the President’s Senior Cup and an Outstanding Scholar award at this week’s brunch. Iida also earned NAIA All-American status as a member of the girls’ soccer team.
She served as resident assistant in the dormitory, was a teaching assistant for vascular technology courses and compiled a 3.91 grade-point average.
“It was hectic,” she said. “It was a tight fit, but I wanted to experience everything I could.”
Iida valued networking with professors and other students, and said leaving the academic world is a bittersweet feeling. She, too, is happy to have chosen OIT.
“It’s a small campus, but it has all the resources you need,” she said.
Benjamin Roberts, 32, enrolled at OIT after serving in the U.S. Air Force and working for Qwest Communications. He decided to use his GI bill after being laid off from Qwest, and a friend recommended OIT.
“He spoke very highly of the faculty and staff,” Roberts said.
He graduates with a degree in electronics engineering technology. Roberts will enter graduate school at the University of Oregon, studying applied physics in optical devices in a new program in the Material Science Institute.
After earning his masters degree, Roberts plans a career in medical imaging or security imaging.
The 1993 Aloha High School graduate served as a tutor and mentor during his years at OIT. He compiled a 3.96 grade-point average.
Roberts was the other recipient of the prestigious President’s Senior Cup at the awards brunch, and he received an Outstanding Scholar award.
” Steve Kadel
Oregon Institute of Technology’s 600-plus graduates will begin post-campus life in a variety of new endeavors after today’s commencement.
Most will accept jobs at salaries substantially above average for Oregon college and university grads. Others will opt for further study. The Herald and News talked with three 2007 graduates to find out where they are headed and how they spent their university years.
Sarah Bryan, 22, graduates with a degree in civil engineering. She will soon begin a job with the Washington Department of Transportation in Olympia, Wash., working in the traffic engineering office.
Like many OIT students who receive early job offers, Bryan accepted the position in March.
She got extensive experience during her college years by taking part in activities such as the steel bridge team and concrete canoe competition. Bryan also played goalie on the OIT women’s soccer team for four years, coached youth soccer and worked in the Sponsored and Pre-College Programs office while maintaining a 3.5 grade-point average.
The South Medford High School graduate received the Student Achievement award during Friday’s student awards brunch. She also was part of the steel bridge team that received the Pride of OIT award.
And she was on the civil engineering senior class sustainability team that was a nominee for the same award.
Bryan said she couldn’t be happier with the education she received at OIT.
“The interaction with teachers is leaps and bounds above what you get at other schools,” she said.
Jenavi Iida of Maui, Hawaii, is weighing several jobs offers in vascular technology, including one from a New Jersey firm where she did her externship and other positions on the West Coast.
The 21-year-old graduate is headed for a career using ultrasound to scan veins and arteries looking for blockages. Iida anticipated little trouble finding a job, saying, “OIT’s name is known out there.”
She received the President’s Senior Cup and an Outstanding Scholar award at this week’s brunch. Iida also earned NAIA All-American status as a member of the girls’ soccer team.
She served as resident assistant in the dormitory, was a teaching assistant for vascular technology courses and compiled a 3.91 grade-point average.
“It was hectic,” she said. “It was a tight fit, but I wanted to experience everything I could.”
Iida valued networking with professors and other students, and said leaving the academic world is a bittersweet feeling. She, too, is happy to have chosen OIT.
“It’s a small campus, but it has all the resources you need,” she said.
Benjamin Roberts, 32, enrolled at OIT after serving in the U.S. Air Force and working for Qwest Communications. He decided to use his GI bill after being laid off from Qwest, and a friend recommended OIT.
“He spoke very highly of the faculty and staff,” Roberts said.
He graduates with a degree in electronics engineering technology. Roberts will enter graduate school at the University of Oregon, studying applied physics in optical devices in a new program in the Material Science Institute.
After earning his masters degree, Roberts plans a career in medical imaging or security imaging.
The 1993 Aloha High School graduate served as a tutor and mentor during his years at OIT. He compiled a 3.96 grade-point average.
Roberts was the other recipient of the prestigious President’s Senior Cup at the awards brunch, and he received an Outstanding Scholar award.
” Steve Kadel
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leesa wrote on Jan 23, 2009 12:37 PM:
" these things should never happened in this world. the world should be safe. "
samantha r. wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:12 PM:
" this article is So true when your a teen girl and your pregnant It seems to feel like your life is over and there is no way you can fix it but that's not true if your young and your going to have a child then stay focused in school your child wants you to succeed in life so he/she can succeed in life my name is Samantha R. I'm 14 years old i live in Klamath falls and i might be pregnant :] If so I'm determined to make sure my child has a better life then i did :] "
Babe wrote on Jan 23, 2008 6:54 PM:
" I think that chiloquin people do need help and not just the teens but i have also seen places that are alot worse i moved from L.A to chiloquin and ive been back there since and trust me chiloquin is nothing. I also think that crime and drugs etc. are noticed more because it is so small compared to other places and there is no form of disaplin at all "
Tony P. wrote on Jan 19, 2008 7:55 PM:
" I remember the night the plane went down.. My mother crying and my dad in tears.. his dad searched for him for years...
"
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RSS
Jane D. wrote on Apr 10, 2009 12:00 AM:
I Love You Bobby
May your soul Rest In Peace
-Deems "