HOUGHTON, N.Y. — Drones could play a big part in the world in the years to come. It won't just be for military or defense proposes either.

Drones can be used in our everyday lives to monitor traffic, keep an eye on the weather, support search and rescue operations and much more. That's why a small Southern Tier college is hoping to prepare its students for a role in this growing sector.

One of those students, Mary Vandenbosch, isn’t just playing around. The Houghton University senior is learning to fly.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I've always wanted to get my pilot's license," she said. "So this is kind of my first step towards that.”

Houghton began offering a drone pilot course in the spring. The growing popularity of drones is just one reason the program is taking off.   

“I like it a lot," Vandenbosch said. "It's neat to get it to travel so far, and then it's like, oh I'm standing here and that little object is all over there but I'm still in control of it.”

She is a biology major who hopes to work in agriculture and natural resources.

“Drones are something that has been primarily used to manage crops and pests and different diseases," said Vandenbosch.

But how did a small Christ-based university located in the Southern Tier become one of the first four-year schools in New York state to offer this drone pilot program?

“Houghton is always looking for innovative curriculum and ways to attract new students," said Carmen McKell, director of the university's Center for Data Science Analytics.

The eight-week drone pilot course is offered online.

Mckell says the drone program provides a cutting-edge opportunity for students to learn about an area that’s expected to grow by leaps and bounds in the coming years.

“We know that the drone, especially the commercial drone market, is very aggressive and optimistic right now," McKell said. "They're projecting by next year 100,000 jobs [will] actually be created in this industry.”

Aside from the practical uses for her desired career, Vandenbosch says what she’s learning will go a long way toward eventually getting her pilot’s license.

“You have to do a lot of understanding of flight maps and manuals, so it's been a good basis for what I want to do in my career," said Vandenbosch.

Drones are now used for everything from aerial photography and public safety to data collection and product delivery.

It's a career where the sky’s the limit.

“I think that the best part was not just getting a lot about drones but everything that came with that," Vandenbosch said.