CIS Students Succeed with CENIC Internships
This month, a Cypress College Computer Information Systems student and faculty member connected with the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC) to talk about their experience with its internship program. A recent blog on the company’s website shared the history of this computer networking internship, attended by several Cypress College students, and highlighted some accounts.
CENIC, which provides high-speed Internet access to California County Offices of Education, districts, and schools, began its internship program in 2012. Its first intern was former Cypress College CIS student Viet Do.
“It was an instrumental opportunity,” Do was quoted as saying in the blog post. “At the time, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do once I finished my CCC coursework, but everything fell into place because I ultimately was offered a full-time position with CENIC.”
Do went on to participate in CENIC’s inaugural NOC trainee program and was first to complete it; within two years, CENIC hired him. He currently works there as a Network Engineer.
CIS instructor Ben Izadi spoke up about his students’ experience as CENIC interns. He says that of the 20 students who participated in internships, four transitioned to full-time CENIC employees; outside companies recruited and hired nearly all the others. He credits CENIC with providing experience that increased their preparation for the workforce.
“The program has great value,” Izadi said. “Right away, students realize that the work environment is different from the school environment, and they also understand that how much they know isn’t the only thing that matters. It is about how you behave and how you communicate. They’re also developing their resumes – they’re adding things to it. Field experience and work experience is something that’s missing from our program and being able to offer that to students means we are putting them in a better position to get a job.”
Ben continues to select candidates for CENIC’s internship program, choosing the top students who could succeed in a role that holds great opportunity.