High School Senior, Timothy Cohen, and Mariano Cruz, Brien McMahon High School
Part of a series of student reflections from Carver's 54th Annual College Tour
By Mariano Cruz, Brien McMahon High School Senior, and Timothy Cohen, P-TECH Senior
During Carver's recent college tour, we visited the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark, New Jersey, where we discovered a university filled with technology, innovation, and opportunities to prepare students for successful careers.
Our tour guide, Rohan, introduced us to the university's academic programs, facilities, and student resources. One of the first things that impressed us was the campus itself. It was open and welcoming, with attractive views and plenty of places for students to study, relax, and spend time with friends.
We learned that NJIT offers a variety of amenities designed to make college life more convenient and enjoyable. Students have access to dining plans with numerous food options, free printing, laptop charging stations, and a commuter lounge where they can relax between classes.
One unexpected discovery was a bowling alley located below the commuter lounge, which students can use for free with their student IDs!
One of the most impressive parts of our visit was exploring NJIT's technology and academic facilities.
The university library offers different environments depending on how students prefer to work, including quiet study areas, computer spaces, and rooms for group collaboration.
But the facility that really stood out was the Makerspace.
We learned that NJIT's Makerspace contains approximately $10 million worth of equipment, including 3D printers, laser machines, and other advanced technology. What made this especially exciting was learning that students from different majors can use these resources to explore ideas, develop projects, and gain hands-on experience.
Seeing these facilities helped us understand how NJIT encourages students to turn what they learn in the classroom into practical skills.
We were also impressed by the opportunities for athletics, recreation, and student life.
NJIT has multiple gyms, an indoor track, basketball courts, racquetball facilities, yoga sessions, and a large swimming pool. Students can participate in a variety of fitness activities, and some courses even offer college credit.
The university also competes in NCAA Division I athletics, with numerous varsity sports teams, including a men's soccer program with a history of championship success.
For students who live on campus, NJIT offers residence halls with amenities such as laundry facilities and gaming spaces.
Beyond the campus facilities, we learned about academic programs that connect directly to emerging career opportunities.
One major that caught our attention was Financial Technology, or FinTech, which combines finance and technology. We found it interesting that students can pursue this field as an undergraduate degree.
NJIT also offers accelerated master's degree programs, opportunities for on-campus employment, and career preparation resources that help students plan for life after graduation.
We were particularly interested in learning about the university's career opportunities and the strong earning potential of graduates entering technology-related fields.
Overall, our visit showed us that NJIT offers much more than a traditional college education. It combines challenging academics, advanced technology, athletics, and a wide range of student resources.
We appreciated how much the campus had to offer and how the university helps students prepare for both college life and their future careers.
After experiencing NJIT firsthand, we believe it is definitely a college worth considering. The visit showed us how access to technology, hands-on learning, and new opportunities can help students build successful futures.
This concludes our four-part "Through Their Eyes" series, featuring reflections from Carver students who participated in the College Tour. We thank all sixteen students and their four chaperones for making this journey of discovery possible. Most of all, we thank our student authors for sharing their experiences and reminding us that exploring college opportunities is an important step toward imagining—and achieving—a successful future.
