At a glance
“The connections I made with businesses and the skills that I have acquired from talking to those people give me the idea that I can really do whatever I put my mind on.”
Nicholas Barrett
Nicholas Barrett (Avoca, NY) was drawn to Alfred State for the unique combination of culinary arts and wrestling. He has been able to keep adding to his experiences with a bachelor’s degree in technology management.
“I chose Alfred State because it offered me all the classes I wanted. I enjoy cooking and baking. I got to wrestle and compete here in Division III athletics, and I knew taking a tour here this is where I wanted to be. I love the community here.”
Watch Nicholas' Pioneer PROfile video
After earning a pair of associate degrees (culinary arts and culinary arts: baking production and management), Nicholas wanted to add to his education base with a business degree.
“When I knew I had years of eligibility left to wrestle it gave me the chance to compete again and compete more and get my bachelor's degree. Technology management gives me the ability to do so much more in the world in the world of business.”
Nicholas feels his technology management degree offers him a lot of opportunities. “I can get into managing a company with the skills I've learned. I have learned how to talk and manage people. The skills my professors have taught me have really developed me into the manager I am today.”
“The connections I made with businesses and the skills that I have acquired from talking to those people give me the idea that I can really do whatever I put my mind on.”
He has been able to put his skill right into action as a team captain on the wrestling team. “When I am helping lead my team it is the same way as you would manage someone in the workplace.”
Through his athletic career at Alfred State, Nicholas has been part of the rise of success for the program and for himself. He won an individual conference championship and was part of the back-to-back team champions.
“Wrestling here really changed my perspective on how to approach life. Had I not wrestled here I would not have progressed as much as a person and a leader. I was taught how to really take care of myself and to just become a better person.”
Alfred State has given Nicholas all the ingredients to prepare him for a great career.