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Nanotechnology Opens Career Doors for Rio Salado Graduate
Who knew that the world of “nano” could lead to big career options?
Nanotechnology is the study of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale for industrial purpose.
For Sam Vescio, choosing to study nanotechnology just made sense.
“My dad had been working at Intel for almost 15 years at the time I started my degree,” Vescio said. “With an existing interest in science and technology, nano seemed like a perfect fit for me.”
When it came to choosing a school, Vescio looked no further than Rio Salado College.
“Honestly, picking Rio Salado was a no-brainer for me,” Vescio said. “When I started working on my degree, I was working full-time and odd hours. There was no way I could reasonably attend college traditionally.”
In 2019, Vescio earned his Associate in Applied Science in Nanotechnology thanks to Rio Salado’s online course offerings.
“Learning at home was a really interesting experience,” Vescio said. “It took some adjustment, but after the first semester, I came to appreciate the benefits of being able to work on my coursework when I had time to do so, wherever I was.”
Of all his Rio Salado classes, Vescio especially enjoyed MNT210: Basic Nanotechnology Processes.
“The class really opened my eyes to the fascinating complexity of the nano-scale world, and really helped to shine a light on the various processes that are used to make our modern world possible,” he said.
Today, Vescio works at Intel as an engineering technician. He transferred to Arizona State University and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering.
“As for where my career leads from there, who knows?” Vescio said. “There's a myriad of possibilities, and the field only grows with every passing day.”
Vescio credits his Rio Salado nanotechnology education for putting him on the path to success.
“The curriculum for the Nanotechnology program is deeply rooted in the semiconductor industry,” Vescio said. “When the time came for me to pursue my career, I was able to go into interviews confidently.”
He advises students considering their education options to check out Rio Salado.
“They have a wide variety of interesting fields and subjects that you might not expect to find at a community college,” Vescio said. “With affordable tuition, flexible scheduling, and experienced instructors, choosing Rio is a no-brainer for the new or returning college student with a busy schedule.”
By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer