Careers in Information Networking: Katie Kobasuk is heading to Progressive
For some studying ECT at the McClure School, their interest in emerging communication technologies sparked at a young age. At the McClure School, incoming students have worked on building computers, software programs, and game development. But for others, the ECT program itself sparks a passion and love for communication technologies.
Katie Kobasuk, a senior majoring in ITS, always had an interest in technology but never had much experience before coming to Ohio University. As both of Kobasuk’s siblings attended The Ohio State University, she was encouraged to apply to the well-known institution; but upon visiting OU, she fell in love with the newness of the campus and its small-town feel.
After enrolling at OU, Kobasuk began the process of choosing her major. Although she had no experience in the ECT, it had always piqued her interest.
“I just thought it was so interesting how technology really became an important part of our lives as we were growing up,” says Kobasuk. “So, I kind of knew it was something I wanted to do. I thought [ECT] was a very unique program, how it also integrates the business rather than just straight technology.”
During the Fall 2021 semester, Julio Aruz, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies and School Director, presented Kobasuk with an opportunity to meet with a recent ECT graduate who works for Progressive. After a series of one-on-one and group Handshake sessions, Kobasuk fell in love with the Progressive company's missions and culture. She immediately emailed a recruiting manager about her interest in working for the company.
“I had an interview with her. It was more informal and then at the end she [said] ‘We really like you, we're going to move you on to our formal interview event process’ which is a two-day event,” says Kobasuk.
In September, following the interview process, Kobasuk received an Associate Systems Engineer (ASE) position for the Network Telecommunications Operations Center team at Progressive. As an ASE, Kobasuk plans to work closely with IT vendors and teams to ensure computer software and hardware systems run smoothly.
The ASE position is common for ECT graduates to enter and networking encouraged by the McClure School allows students to find secure job positions that pertain to the curriculum taught in ECT courses.
“[The OU graduates that] I talked on the one-on-one are both in that position because it’s perfect for what we learned in our curriculum,” says Kobasuk. “It lays so well with that and then once you are at Progressive, and you do that job, you can obviously move up or move around [at the company].”
The McClure School is well-known for its hands-on faculty members. Professors, advisors, and staff members work closely with students in the school to find internship and job opportunities that pertain to their strengths in any given technology field they wish to enter.
“I really owe a lot of that to Julio, for always encouraging us to go to events and listing interviews and jobs on the TEAMS channel,” says Kobasuk.
The McClure School has also given Kobasuk hands-on experience in the technology field through her position at the GRID Lab. One of Kobasuk’s professors, who noticed her hard work and dedication, put her name in the pool of applicants for the position. With the help of her professor, Kobasuk got the job. At the GRID Lab, she has helped launch the MESP website and researched and designed virtual reality synchronization solutions.
Through the McClure mentorship program, her position at the GRID Lab, and multiple professor-delegated scholarships, Kobusak was given the resources she needed to become successful in her career.
“A lot of my friends in other majors never have these opportunities where professors are telling them about jobs [and who are] reaching out to them so much and helping them, so it's been great,” says Kobasuk.
The McClure School of Emerging Communication Technologies strives to offer the best academic programs in the IT (Information Technology), the game development and the Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality (VR/AR) industries. Our programs and certificates cover numerous aspects of the rapidly changing industries of information networking, cybersecurity, data privacy, game development, digital animation and the academic side of esports.