Finger Lakes Community College’s Smart Systems Technology program is proving to be a gateway to careers in high-tech industries, the Finger Lakes Times reports.
Launched by Professor Sam Samanta, the program combines flexible HyFlex learning with 270-hour paid internships at over 50 regional companies in fields like aerospace, biomedical, and automation. Students get classroom instruction and real-world experience without sacrificing scheduling flexibility.
Graduates often transfer to four-year schools like RIT or Alfred University, while others go straight into tech roles. Samanta emphasizes patience and accessibility to meet workforce demand at all skill levels.