UC Student Applies Computer Engineering to Law

Technology is becoming more prevalent in all aspects of our lives. With this new technology comes new regulations (think popular news headlines concerning self-driving cars, data mining and net neutrality). Dane Sowers, who recently graduated with both a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and an MBA from the University of Cincinnati (UC), wants to be an advocate for sensible technology policy and regulation in a changing technological world. He will be attending The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law this fall.

“Regulators of this new technology may not always understand what’s going on under the hood,” Sowers said. “I want to go to law school to understand the legal background of this new technology to effectively shape policy for the future.”

Sowers, who is from the greater Columbus area, chose UC because of its nationally renowned cooperative education (co-op) program. Sowers had co-op rotations with Kinetic Vision, where he performed software development for clients, and GE Digital, where he learned new technologies while working in a state-of-the-art facility.

“The co-op program at UC is unparalleled,” Sowers said. “I was very excited about the opportunity to build my professional network before graduating.”

Sowers saw the ACCEND program, which allows engineering students to combine a bachelor’s degree with a master’s degree in an abbreviated timeline, as a great way to get the most out of his time at UC. He believes the two degrees he obtained at UC will help him in law school and his career. The computer engineering degree will help him understand the science behind new technologies, and the MBA will help him understand the perspective of business leaders using these new technologies in products.

Looking forward, Sowers hopes to apply his experience and knowledge gained at UC to law school. After law school, he wishes to practice patent law and possibly work for non-profit or government agency, helping inform regulators of the science behind new technology.

No matter where he ends up, UC helped pave the way for this exciting, and technologically advanced, future.