Alumni Spotlight: Adrian Cliteur '22

Educational opportunities come in all shapes and sizes. Some excel in traditional classroom settings, while others find success with a hands-on approach. For recent SUNY Corning Community College graduate Adrian Cliteur '22, his success was a combination of traditional-style learning, hands-on learning, and the ability to grow his skill set through student clubs and activities during his time as an undergraduate at SUNY CCC.

Those opportunities helped Adrian graduate from SUNY CCC with a degree in Computer Science and eventually transfer to the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. His pursuit of hands-on learning continues to this day as he is spending this summer working in a coveted internship as a software engineer with Corning Incorporated. 

Finding the Corning Incorporated Internship Opportunity
Adrian's journey from SUNY CCC to his internship at Corning Incorporated showcases perseverance, passion, and determination. While attending a career fair at RIT, he knew he had a chance to make his mark with industry-leading companies.

Having previously attended the last career fair with no success, Adrian was determined to take another chance. Spotting the Corning Inc. booth, he took that chance and approached the representatives from the software engineering team. Little did Adrian know that this impulsive decision would change the course of his career.

"I was unprepared to talk to Corning, but I saw the Corning booth and figured I'd take my shot," explained Adrian. "I spoke to one of the Corning representatives from the software engineering team. I had the perfect skill set they wanted; the rest is history."

Utilizing Campus Resources and Extracurricular Involvement
Although Adrian was a tremendous student who excelled in the bulk of his classes, he still took advantage of the campus resources available during his time on Spencer Hill. Academic courses in the STEM field can be quite challenging, and to ensure he stayed on track with his classes, Adrian sought tutoring help for his courses in CCC's Learning Center. 

Aside from receiving academic assistance, Adrian tutored Computer Science and Computer Networks in the Learning Center, where he got to practice teaching. One of his peers that he was specially assigned to tutor was a blind student who required a different way of teaching which Adrian had to adapt to teach. He was also a member of the Red Baron Leadership Academy (RBLA) and served as the previous vice president of the College's Japanese Language and Culture Club. Why are these extracurricular activities important?

"I was a part of the RBLA, where they held sessions on how to become a good leader, how to lead a group of people, and what skills you might need," said Adrian. "Leadership isn't something that people are born with. It's cool to see that you can learn and experience it. CCC did an excellent job providing me with various resources and clubs to join."

Advice for Students Interested in the Field
Adrian offers invaluable advice for students aspiring to enter the field of Computer Science or Software Engineering. He stresses the importance of understanding the field's demands and having aspirations that ignite the soul. 

"For those inspired to set their soul on fire, pursue a degree. It could be online classes, certifications, or just starting on personal projects that interest you," Adrian expressed. "Personal projects such as a game or website are a good start and will impress any employers." 

Advice for Securing Internships
Adrian's success story is a testament to the impact of putting yourself out there. Adrian encourages students to take advantage of these opportunities, emphasizing the benefits of face-to-face interactions with potential employers. 

"Have an elevator pitch ready," Adrian said. "Discuss what you want to do in the future, your skills, and what you can bring to the table for the job. Having a LinkedIn profile is another valuable tool in the job search; It allows students to network with professionals and showcase their professional journey." 

Future Plans after the Internship
As a software engineer intern, Adrian enjoys working in a development team but also desires to teach others about technology and science. By pursuing computer science as his field, Adrian aims to balance his passion for technology and his aspirations to impact and educate others.

"I'd love to teach people about technology and science, so I'm pursuing computer science as my field," expressed Adrian. "But that doesn't limit my opportunities to expand."

Adrian's future holds promising possibilities. He envisions completing his internship at Corning Incorporated and graduating from RIT with the experience and knowledge he gained from his summer internship.

He plans to secure two more internships to fulfill the Co-Op requirements for his Bachelor’s degree program. Adrian's internship experience is model to follow for students embarking on their career journeys. It illustrates the power of seizing opportunities, utilizing available resources, and having a  rough vision for the future. With determination and passion, students can pave their way to success, leaving their mark on the ever-evolving world of software engineering.