WSCC Computer Students Learn From On-The-Job Training

Dr. Tom Sewell, dean of technical education, center, shares some programming tips with Treyton Williams, associate professor of computer science, and student Doug Bolton. Bolton’s volunteer internship has turned into a paying job.

For graduates of Walters State’s computer and information science programs, on-the-job experience often comes before actually landing a job – through the college’s internship program.

“Internships provide students with a chance to see how they can apply what they learn in the classroom to a business setting. This also develops and reinforces soft skills, such as teamwork,” said Dr. Thomas Sewell, dean of technical education at the college.

The college has established internship programs with many companies, yet some of the best experience comes from internships developed through a student’s entrepreneurial attitude. Students see a need and seek to fill it.

Such was the case with Doug Bolton of New Tazewell.

“Douglas was very talented. I challenged him to find an organization that needed his skills and volunteer,” said Treyton Williams, associate professor of computer science at the college. Williams said he hoped the experience would boost Bolton’s confidence and show the connection between his in-classroom work and the outside business world.

Bolton didn’t look far. He offered his services to Claiborne County High School, where principal Jodie Goins just happened to be hoping to work in a website makeover during the next fiscal year.

“The website is something that needed improvement. From a financial perspective, we were going to have to wait,” Goins said. Then, Bolton came in with his portfolio.

“The talent was there, but his portfolio didn’t contain a mock-up of what we wanted. Douglas then went from being a computer tech to being completely focused on the customer. He showed me different websites and eventually we found exactly what the high school needed,” Goins said.

When Goins was satisfied, the volunteer effort became a paying project for Bolton.

“The fact that we decided to pay him was not only based on his technical skills, but also his drive and his customer service skills,” Goins said. The high school’s new website is expected to go live this spring.

In the short-term, internships are focused on the student and the hosting business. The internships, though, play a vital role in the evolution of Walters State’s computer and information science courses.

“Companies play a valuable role in the development and improvement of our programs. After an internship ends, I ask about the strengths and weaknesses of our students. I find out what we need to improve,” Sewell said. “This information is particularly important in this ever-changing field.”