Richard Hillman (HVCC), left, Keian Rivenburg, Robert Morin and Abu Mazumder (HVCC) present their finished network equipment rack at HVCC.
On January 18, three students from Questar III’s Academy for Information Technology (AIT) program in Hudson had the opportunity to visit Hudson Valley Community College and work with college students to disassemble, reassemble and network a lab equipment rack controlling more than 60 devices.
Ichabod Crane seniors Robert Morin and Keian Rivenburg, Chatham CSD junior Zachary Whiteman and their teacher Michael Knichel (also an adjunct professor at HVCC) spent the whole day at the college working with college students and HVCC Professor Kevin McLaughlin.
According to Mr. Knichel, these types of hands-on, work-based learning experiences are exactly what students need to be prepared for college or a career in Information Technology. All three Questar III students plan to attend HVCC after they graduate, and this experience allowed them to become more familiar with both the campus itself and the tasks that will be required of them.
“This was a great opportunity because they got to see how to set up a lab scenario which will help in a legitimate production network environment,” said Knichel. “The students were all very professional and worked well together.”
“I enjoyed the hands-on experience and applying what we have learned in class on live equipment,” said Whiteman. “It was also nice working with the college students; it gave me a feel of what I can expect when I go to college.”
The three students are enrolled in the Cisco Networking Academy, a program with a world-renowned curriculum that helps students prepare for industry-recognized certifications and entry-level information and communication technology careers. Students learn about computer systems and how to install, configure and troubleshoot networks.
To learn more about Questar III’s Academy for Information Technology program in Hudson or Troy, please visit https://old.questar.org/education/career-tech-ed/ait.php.
