Mar
2
Written by:
Dan Maas
3/2/2007
Earlier in the year, I suggested to the Computer Coaches that we should investigate establishing Internships with local colleges and universities for assistance with our technology support. We are about to kick off a pilot...
On March 9th, 2007 we will interview four applicants for Intern positions in LPS. The ITS department will fund 3 pilot positions this spring to test the value of this service. We will seek to assign an Intern to an interested building on the supervision of Bill Tucker, Assistant Director of Information Technology and to be coordinated by the Computer Coach of the building requesting the Intern.
The Interns will not have full administrator access to our computing and database resources. Rather, we have created a basic tech support account security level for the Interns that will allow them to install software, update computers and do some other basic trouble-shooting services. They will not have access to the core of the network nor any data systems including Infinite Campus. All Interns will be part-time employees of LPS and will need to clear CBI finger printing and background checks before they can work in schools.
The students that have applied are either just about to graduate from Metro State College or are within 18 months of graduation. All applicants are trying to gain IT industry experience and I believe will be highly motivated to perform well as their immediate career opportunities will be directly impacted by this experience. Their transcripts will have an "Internship" entry with LPS which will cause employers to contact us when they apply for jobs.
At the University of Denver, over 26 Students operate the University Help Desk and the school typically hires two students to full-time positions upon graduation every year. The administration reported to me that the students are very reliable, motivated and quite skillful. I am hopeful we will benefit from a similar experience.
For buildings interested in having an Intern for this pilot period, please contact me at dmaas@lps.k12.co.us