Joseph Karam, director of network and telecommunications services, presented a power-point enhanced lecture, "Networking the Old Fashion Way: Learning in the Classroom and On-the-Job Training." Working with Karam was Dr. Patrick Fitzgibbons, department chair for SUNYIT's telecommunications program. Karam and Fitzgibbons explained a program Hamilton College has in conjunction with SUNYIT.
Since 1999, the network and telecommunications team at Hamilton College have hired and provided internship opportunities for SUNYIT students. The program involves a variety of technical projects and allows students to successfully lead or assist SUNYIT technology instructors. The presentation highlighted the importance of on the job training for telecommunications students through internships. According to the Gettysburg Web site, both schools benefit from the program. "Hamilton benefits greatly from the program by hiring knowledgeable interns who understand basic networking and system functions and are capable of accomplishing a variety of technical projects. SUNYIT students learn skills which will help them in future job applications, interviewing, working independently on projects, working with others on projects, and learning important communication skills."
Karam and Fitzgibbons also explored how more technology can be incorporated into higher education, thus taking technological schools, like SUNYIT, to the next level in technology-concentrated higher education. Hamilton College's current telecommunications department includes four full-time staff members, including a team leader, two network and systems administrators, one telephone coordinator, outsource wiring with TAG Solutions, LLC, and, currently, four student interns. (During the academic year, two to three interns work for Hamilton College.)
