Greetings

It is always nice to hear back from former students.....  

From: XXX, XXXXXX
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 11:49 AM
To: McMullin, Amy
Subject: XXXXX Got A Job. Kinda.....

Hello Ms. Amy,

A Company Mug!

I just started my 3^rd day on the job. I’m really enjoying myself. I ended up getting my own cubicle, a personal phone line(xxx) xxx-xxxx, a company Windows Tablet(not mine’s), and a company e-mail address.  As far as work goes, the things I’ve done in the past few days have been interesting. I’ve re-imaged two client computers,  we have set the permission in Active Directory, given them their necessary programs automatically and we are taking care of the ones that haven’t loaded manually. Right now we are looking for the SQL server program because one computer is lacking it. Yesterday we had to set up a Docking Station for two clients. They had dual monitor capabilities. One had XP and one had Win 7. The one with 7 had issues with the peripherals and we switch out the adapters like 3 times only to find out it was a driver problem. Everything here is Dell so I thought,  “Piece of Cake” but it we could find a driver until we went to the NVIDIA Site. After restart everything went good.  ..... Out of all the company things I got my favorite the my "CompanyX" Coffee Mug. Look at the pictures(attachment). Went from Mug shots to a company Mug(Oh Yeah). Now That’s Progress.LOL

Sincerely,

XXXXXXX  XXXXXXX

TechMatch Notes

These are my notes from TechMatch 2013:

From employers:


Things we look for:
• Company culture - do you fit?
• Personality fit
• “Soft/People Skills”
• Work with multi-generational workforce
• Customer Service Skills
• Life Long Learning
• Prepping for jobs that do not exist yet
• Professional networking – Most hires are direct introductions
• Communication (Written, Verbal, relate technical info to non-techs, ie finance people)
• Reports/documentation
• Problem solving/logical thinking
• Idiots w/certs
• Love and passion
• Breadth and depth of knowledge – Theory not exact skill

Skills we look for:
• Virtualization
• Microsoft Certifications
• Security
• Practical application of skills

Things to do:
• Join organizations (SWFRTP, Toastmasters)
• Diversity who you hang with
• Dale Carnegie
• LinkedIn
• Ask if have tuition reimbursement, reimburse when join org, give back to the community
• Social media from business standpoint
• Research the company (“hire for engagement)
• Linux
• blog

Take a Chance!

I'd like to share a facebook post from CompTia:













I gave everyone a difficult assignment this week.  I encouraged you to start early and think outside the box.  You have done that, worked hard and I am SO proud of the work that you are doing!  I love how you are working together.  I love how you are taking a chance to learn something new.  Keep it up!

TechMatch 2013

Thursday night several of my students attended TechMatch 2013.  Thanks to Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership for hosting this amazing event.  My students really enjoyed themselves and found it to be rewarding. 

Enjoy these photos while I update this post to describe our experience.


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Congratulations Are In Order

Tuesday, we celebrated the success of several students:

• Alex, Computer Systems Technology - Just started with us on April 1st.  He passed digital literacy and is well on his way to earning his A+. 

• George, Cyber Security - Also started this grading period.  He passed his digital literacy and will be learning how to HACK, but ethically.  He will be one of the digital warriors that protect us and our personal information

 

• Ricardo, Computer Systems Technology - He passed his MTA in Networking Fundamentals.  He has passed the first part of the A+ and is almost ready to take the second part.

• Richard, Computer Systems Technology - Passed his MTA in Networking Fundamentals and passed the first part of the A+.  He is just starting the second part and putting the pieces together.  I am very pround of him. 

• Josemon, Cyber Security - Passed the MTA in Networking Fundamentals.  He is planning on taking the Network+ very soon. 

• Jacob, Computer Systems Technology - Passed the 701 Exam for the A+.  He is working hard to finish the second exam by the end of the year.

Personal Career Plan

Something I filed under topics to write about but never did:

Here is an good article about developing a personal career plan.  Kantor column: Developing a personal career plan

This week we developed personal growth plans using the resources from SkillsUSA.  You can see what they did by looking at their blogs on the "students' sites" page.  I hope and I think that they will develop an appreciation for this strategy not just while working through their programs, but in their careers in general.