Working for Technology Support Services at The College at Brockport gives students the opportunity to gain experience and learn skills necessary to compete in today's job market. Some of these skills include customer service, the ability to think on your toes, and vital technological insight. We are proud to say that many of our past student employees have moved on to very successful careers. Here we acknowledge some of our past student employees and the accomplishments they have made in their lives so far.
How long did you work for TSS?I worked for three years as an undergrad in the ETC specializing with FCP and other Mac help. Then I worked for two years as a graduate assistant. That makes five years total.
I work at SUNY Cobleskill as an Admissions Advisor/E-Recruiter.
Working in admissions I am a part of the team that assists in recruitment. I travel to high schools and attend college fairs and speak with guidance counselors, students, and families about SUNY Cobleskill. Additionally, as our office’s E-Recruiter I manage our electronic recruitment, social media, and website.
Working in TSS taught me the importance of hard work and making connections. By performing well in college, and in on campus jobs you develop a repertoire of skills that you can use in your career. Developing good relationships with different people and departments taught me the importance of networking. When you are good at what you do people notice, and when people notice they request to work with you and that can feel pretty good; you then know you have succeeded in creating positive work relationships.
Being able to understand technology and work well with people is a great skill to have! Take every opportunity you have to learn what you can (technically). But it is so important to be able to communicate that information with people. Work hard, set goals, and you will set yourself up for success.
How long did you work for TSS?I worked for TSS for one year.
I am the Network Administrator/ Systems support specialist at Cairn University in Langhorne Pennsylvania.
I am responsible for a number of systems on campus including the security cameras and the door access on campus. I also take support calls and assist users when equipment malfunctions or they run into any issues.
I learned much of what I know about computers and the repair process from my time with TSS. It was instrumental in achieving the position I hold today. One thing I learned is to not be afraid to ask questions and to inquire when things were not making sense.
My advice to current Students working in TSS is to get involved in as many new tech situations as you can and to try to seek the root of the issue as much as possible. Try to understand the problem you are solving. Another piece of advice I would offer would be to always appreciate the users. Often when they do call it takes courage for them to do so. Your job is not to make the problem go away but to identify with their struggles and help them to learn. Probably the best advice I could offer is that it is ok to make mistakes, the most important thing to do when you make them is to admit you were wrong and learn from it. TSS taught me many technical things but my most valuable lessons were how to deal with the people I worked with and our users.
About 3 1/2 years Feb 2007 - April 2010
I am part of the network engineering team supporting and improving the Amazon and Amazon Web Services (AWS) network infrastructure globally. My official title is Network Support Engineer.
My main responsibilities are:
It was everything. Having solid experience in working with many different people, as well as learning on the fly and working in a team helped me transition in to a full time job. Plus, when added to a degree, the work experience sets you apart in the job market.
Take advantage of all the opportunities offered, even if you are not sure you can do it. Almost all the professional staff is awesome at teaching and helping you learn and excel.
How long did you work for TSS?I started in the Spring semester of 2010 and ended in Spring of 2012.
I work as a Professional Help Desk Tech at SUNY Fredonia.
Not only do I do Help Desk things, supporting all professionals on campus, but I also am partly responsible for all the Windows labs. Basically I fix whatever needs fixin’ on this campus.
I give all the credit of my landing this job to TSS, everything I learned there under Dave Hoenk and Adam Zapata gave me the knowledge and experience to do what I am doing now. Not to mention, it looked great on my resume.
Learn as much as you can under the people you work for, they know their stuff and it helps to know a plethora of things. The more you know, the better you are going to look to potential employers, even if you aren’t an expert, at least you will be able to say you have some experience with whatever they’ve asked.
How long did you work for LITS?I worked at LITS originally as a film student assisting with a film project in Spring 2009 and then became a Final Cut Pro tutor for three semesters, starting in Spring 2009 until graduation in May 2010.
I am a project manager at Berman Creative, a marketing and design firm located in the Backbay area of Boston.
I manage deadlines and projects for our designers, copywriters and clients. I assist with projects, update copy, locate pictures for Web designs and other tasks to keep the project on deadline. Every day is a little different, whether it be presentation meetings at a client’s office or meet and greets out at local restaurants. It’s an exciting atmosphere of creativity that I am lucky to be a part of.
LITS taught me to interact with computers in ways I never thought possible before. Through helping students and teaching seminars to fellow members and professors, I learned to take on a commanding role that gained me a new confidence.
Embrace any opportunity presented to you, create opportunities where there were none before. Learn from your fellow members and never limit yourself on what you can do.
Two years.
I work for a company called “Crown Awards” in Westchester, NY. I work IT there.
Desktop support, server management and everything else involved with IT at a large corporation.
Working with everyone at LITS helped me gain valuable and essential skills in the field of IT as well as further my interest in the subject. It also helped buffer my resume for my interview.
Use the resources around you to expand your knowledge of the field you’re working toward! The managers and supervisors are filled with knowledge and you should utilize it all while you are there!
How long did you work for IT?I worked for IT for three semesters. Spring 2010 till graduation in May of 2011
I am an editor and videographer in the Creative Services department for WROC-TV (CBS) and WUHF-TV (FOX) in Rochester, NY
I shoot and edit commercials and promotional videos together for air on our television stations and web site rochesterhomepage.net. I am personally responsible for designing the look and feel of each spot assigned to me from the ground up. This includes animation, sound design, video editing, graphic design, and all other aspects necessary for creating commercials for 3rd party companies looking to advertise their business, as well as promoting events which the stations sponsor. Basically my department is responsible for all of the content that occurs between television programming on our stations.
Through working at IT, I was able to learn more than just completing the given task. The greatest thing I learned from my time at IT was how to interact with people in a business environment, while still being able to have a personal connection with everyone I helped or worked alongside of. Because of the extreme variation of work that I had to do on a day to day basis, I am very rarely fazed by the amount or complexity of work which I have to do for my current job.
Don't let what you think you know get in the way of learning things you don't. Take every opportunity given to you and never turn down new experiences. I almost turned down the very internship which ultimately turned into my dream job.
How long did you work for IT? I began working at ITS in the Fall of 2006--I actually worked there as a print station attendant, first! Then in the spring semester I was hired on to work for the help desk and worked there until I graduated in the Spring of 2009.
I am a graduate student and Teacher's Assistant at Rochester Institute of Technology.
I am working towards my graduate degree in Chemistry, and I teach General Chemistry labs to undergraduate students.
I know that my career field seems like it has little to do with ITS, but honestly, working for ITS has helped me greatly in my Chemistry career. Working at Brockport ITS gave me the interpersonal skills that are so necessary in both Industry and Academia. While there, I learned how to teach and help people with technical problems, and this skill has transcended into enabling me to be confident in teaching and helping students in chemistry. It also was great to be in the thick of technology at the time. At my previous Industry job, I was known at the 'tech girl', even though my job had nothing to do with computers! I wouldn't change it for the world!
Take all that you can! Working for Brockport ITS is not only fun and satisfying (the people are GREAT!), but it offers a great learning curve for anyone working there. Don't just "answer phones" or "fix computer/software problems", actually take in the knowledge of what you're doing, even if your future career isn't going to be in ITS; and even if it is, you will apply the skills that you learn there to every aspect of your life. I greatly enjoyed my time working for Brockport ITS, and miss it!
How long did you work for IT?I began working at ITS in the Fall of 2008 and worked there until the Spring of 2010
I am currently employed at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. as a Technology Analyst.
I am currently working on the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT). Our group is responsible for investigating any computer breach that could pose a security threat to the firm. It is an incredibly fast paced and complex environment that has team members from all over the world.
Working at Brockport ITS was not only a fun time, but also an exceptional learning experience. There are few other opportunities that I can think of that offer such a balanced mix of real world experience and academics. My time spent in IT allowed me to gain insight into not only a variety of technologies, but also into how those technologies are leveraged to provide a better customer experience.
Learn as much as possible from professional staff; learn from not only their technical skills but also from their soft skills. Skills such as communication and networking are vital in any career.
How long did you work for IT?I worked for various departments within ITS for three years. I started my sophomore year in the Fall of 2004 until I graduated in the Spring of 2007.
I am an IT Analyst at Syracuse University working within the Library Information Technology department.
I have the responsibilities of a few roles that consist of system administrator, desktop administration, and desktop support. My system administrator responsibilities consist of installing and maintaining Linux, Solaris, and Windows servers. Desktop administration is done through our Active Directory system. I also support all of our staff and patrons with desktop support issues.
My time with IT helped me tremendously. I learned so much from the staff and from the hands-on experiences that you can’t get from the classroom. I was able to work in various departments that helped me with my current position. I started at the Help Desk answering support calls. I worked in Desktop Support troubleshooting issues for staff. I then finished my time working with the System Administrators dealing with networks and servers.
Try to work in as many positions as you can during your time at IT. You will be exposed to many different aspects of IT and learn a lot of different skills from each of the positions.
How long did you work for IT?I have worked for Brockport ITS since the summer of 2009.
I recently got appointed as User Support Technician for the College at Brockport. I plan on going to grad school by next fall (2012) to continue a Masters in Computer Science, either within system administration or computer and network security.
I provide specialized user support for a wide array of technologies for the entire Brockport campus. Some of my primary responsibilities include maintaining the primary faculty/staff Operating System image, improving our computing infrastructure, and I also act as an interface for vendor support. I also help train, coach, and supervise our student staff within desktop support. The extent of my position is very broad as I work in various areas of computing from hardware/software support to computer security.
Working for IT really helped broaden my knowledge of computer systems. It also gave me some vital real world experience to really help boost my resume and move me into the direction of the field I would like to work in; I am a Computer Science major with a concentration in Advanced Computing. I have worked in multiple areas within ITS including Web Development, Desktop Support, and Help Desk. All of these departments have really developed my knowledge of computers and computer systems.
Some advice I would give for current students working in IT is to work hard and realize that both department and student managers are there to help you. Some of the skills you can learn in IT can be used in universal applications, not necessarily within just IT. Also, you can really learn a lot of very helpful information from all the full-time employees working in IT, they really know a great amount of very useful information, and they can also help push you towards your future career goals!
How long did you work for IT?I joined the Information Technology Services at SUNY Brockport when I was a sophomore beginning Fall of 2005. I worked part-time until I graduated in May 2008.
I work as an analyst/programmer for the University IT at University of Rochester. I have worked on various infrastructure/web applications since I joined. Since the past couple of years, my primary focus has been in the Identity Management project for the University.
Primarily I work as an application developer for the different projects undertaken by the central University IT. As most developers, I am involved in most stages of software development cycle, i.e. gather customer requirements, design, implementation, testing, rollout and support.
As my current work is also within University setting, my experience working at ITS has helped me significantly. First off, fresh out of college I had a lot more relevant experience to share during my job interview at the University of Rochester. Once I joined, it didn’t take me long to get used to the environment and the business processes. In particular, familiarity with Course/Learning Management Systems, electronic identity/access system, University Web content management process, problem resolution/ticket system etc. helped me a lot during the transition. Above all, it is the customer relationship skills that is engendered while working as an ITS employee that I consider as a great asset.
No matter what your future career plans are, there are positions/projects in ITS that will provide you with unique opportunity. Identifying and embracing those opportunities would be a great start.
How long did you work for IT?I started working for the IT department my freshman year and continued working there until graduation in 2006.
I am currently working in the Information Technology Services department at Ithaca College as the Coordinator of Student Employment and Lab Services.
I work with full time area supervisors to manage a staff of approximately 120 students working in fifteen different areas within the department. I coordinate the overall hiring, training, scheduling, payroll, policies, procedures and more for our student staff. I supervise the general consultants in the public computer labs and coordinate efforts to maintain, schedule, and communicate policies and procedures of the labs. I also work with departments on campus as well as ITS staff, to coordinate software requests and general updates to ITS managed computer labs.
I was a Bachelor of Fine Arts major at SUNY Brockport and working in the IT department was an excellent experience for me in the field of technology and customer service. Participating in different positions within the department gave me an edge and ultimately contributed to the position I hold today.
Get involved in as many opportunities available to you within IT and go above and beyond whenever you can. Build your resume by contributing to the department and expanding your interpersonal and technical skills. Take pride in what you do and treat your experience in IT as a professional position which could ultimately lead to a rewarding career!
How long did you work for IT?I worked for Brockport IT from September 2007 until I graduated in December 2009.
I currently work as a Systems Administrator at Children’s Institute, a non for profit affiliate of the University of Rochester.
I monitor and maintain of the current IT infrastructure (servers, desktops/laptops and networking components) as well as provide end user support to around fifty employees.
A lot of what I do now depends on effectively communicating with customers and coworkers in order fully understand the issues at hand. I believe that because of my experience in Brockport’s IT department, I can do this comfortably and efficiently. I also feel that the responsibility given to me as a student worker enhanced my troubleshooting ability. By allowing me to be independent, while also having the support of coworkers, managers and professional staff, I was able to develop a valuable set of tools that have allowed me to be successful in the early stages of my career.
Brockport’s IT department provides an excellent source of “hand on” experience. Take advantage of this and work in areas that interest you. During your shifts as a student worker, keep in mind what you really like doing and translate that into what you may potentially want to do as a career. Also, always be proactive. Whenever you see room for improvement, take the initiative to take immediate action and speak with your manager about potential projects.
How long did you work for IT?Fall 2005-Spring 2008 as undergrad
Spring 2008 - Spring 2010 as graduate student
I work for the Operations Center for Yahoo! in Lockport, NY.
I monitor all of Yahoo's network all over the globe. If something at Yahoo! breaks, I am one of the first people to look at it. I also manage incidents, which means I get the necessary people involved to solve a problem, send emails notifying management of the issue, and make escalations to the managers of those working on the issue. So I will work with someone in Inda, to fix an issue with something in France, but the actual equipment may be located in Virginia.
If I did not work for IT at Brockport, I honestly don't think I would be working where I am.
Say yes. If you get asked to work over the summer, say yes. Asked to work on a team, say yes. Asked to work on a special project, say yes. Get exposed to everything.
How long did you work for IT?I started working for Brockport ITS my junior year of college (Fall 2008) and finished up my senior year (Spring 2010) so just about 2 years.
I am currently working at the University of Rochester. I was hired as a web developer and I have recently started developing applications for executive support.
I support several different types of web applications such as U of R's Meliora website, Office of Counsel website, and several others.
Working at Brockport during the school year as well as one summer allowed me to get a grasp on each branch of IT. I worked in several areas (Help Desk, ETC, Desktop Support, Web) and they all gave me enough experience and skills to land a job after graduation. Also it allowed me to pick an area of interest. I was not sure what I wanted to do when I started in IT.
Yes, one important thing I learned during an internship my sophomore year was that you need to start building your resume before you graduate. Continue to engage in opportunities that will help you learn and differentiate your resume from the other thousand graduates that year.
Last Updated 09/09/2013
