Several Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Network Administration students are gaining valuable real-world experience in information technology this spring through an internship with the Herkimer County Community College IT department.
The seniors are earning required work-based learning hours while helping the college inventory outdated computer equipment. Their responsibilities include testing devices, determining whether equipment is still functional and identifying items that can be auctioned or properly disposed of as electronic waste, or e-waste.
According to instructor Shervin Evans, the internship gives students the opportunity to apply classroom lessons in a professional setting while developing the attention to detail expected in the IT field.
“One of the things we talk about for being an IT professional is paying attention to detail because reviewing inventory is extremely important in the industry,” Evans said. “We also discuss the life cycle of technology – from assigning equipment to employees to responsibly disposing of it. This experience teaches students how inventory management works in the real world and gives them valuable insight into the field.”
The internship began on April 20 and continues through June 5, with students working at Herkimer College from 9 to 11 a.m. each BOCES school day.
Evans explained that the partnership developed naturally: the students needed opportunities to complete work-based learning hours, and the college needed assistance managing a large backlog of computer equipment.
“It was a perfect marriage,” he said.
Network Administration student Kaden Kleist, of Dolgeville Central School District, said the internship has provided meaningful hands-on experience and reinforced the importance of every role within IT.
“We’re learning to do actual IT work,” Kleist said. “All IT work is necessary.”
Kleist added that it is rewarding to know the students’ work is making a difference for the college.
“It’s a good feeling,” he said. “It really feels like we’re accomplishing something because we’re actively contributing and getting things done.”
Student RaVonn Burks, of Herkimer Central School District, said the internship has been both enjoyable and beneficial for the students and the college.
“It’s a nice thing to be able to contribute to the college,” Burks said.
Burks also praised the Network Administration program and the support students have received throughout the internship experience.
“I would definitely recommend the program and the internship,” he said. “Everyone at the college has been great and very supportive.”
Fellow Herkimer student Ross Richard III echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the value of gaining professional experience before entering the workforce.
“It’s nice getting experience for our future,” Richard said. “Since we’re all planning to go into IT, it helps to understand what the job is really like now instead of figuring it out later.”
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Network Administration seniors are participating in an information technology internship at Herkimer College. Pictured, students and their teacher pose together in a room where they are inventorying old computer equipment. From left: Network Administration students RaVonn Burks (Herkimer), Kaden Kleist, (Dolgeville), Ross Richard III (Herkimer), Caiden Trask (Poland), Preston Harvey (Herkimer), Jacob Moore, (Dolgeville), Evan Barry (Central Valley) and Trey Stack (Dolgeville) with Network Administration instructor Shervin Evans.
Some of the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Network Administration seniors who are participating in an information technology internship at Herkimer College stop and pose for a picture while working to inventory computer equipment. From left: Preston Harvey (Herkimer), Kaden Kleist, (Dolgeville), RaVonn Burks (Herkimer) and Ross Richard III (Herkimer).
Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Network Administration seniors Evan Barry (left), from Central Valley, and Caiden Trask (right), from Poland, work on inventorying computer equipment at Herkimer College during an internship there.
A room filled with some of the computer equipment that Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Network Administration seniors are inventorying during an internship at Herkimer College.