As a 2012 High School Summer Intern at the UNH-IOL, I hadn’t a clue as to what I’d like to do with my future. I liked working with computers, and I liked technology in general, but I'd also considered alternatives accommodating my interest in skiing professionally. After the conclusion of junior year at high school, I found my way into an internship in the Digital Living Consortium (DLC) at the UNH-IOL. I was thrown headfirst into a foreign atmosphere and found people actually enjoying and embracing technology… I suppose I couldn’t get enough of it; and have since returned to a full-time position here.
During my internship, plans wavered between acquiring a degree in Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT). Did I want to be writing code, or did I want to be administering the code written by others? The decision was difficult until I began writing and maintaining code for DLC’s automation tool. Although I expect my interests to shift as I become increasingly familiar with the many aspects of technology, the DLC has allowed me the chance to explore what a career in programming might entail. I've since applied, and been admitted to the University of New Hampshire (UNH) as a CS major.
My path has been less than typical. After applying almost exclusively to UNH, I was accepted for attendance Fall 2013, but deferred my admission to 2014. A portion of this gap year will be spent working happily in the DLC; the remaining time will be spent freestyle skiing in Colorado. Upon returning back to the East I’ll be ready to continue learning, and prepared to continue with the plan of acquiring six years of industry-centered work experience by the time I graduate. The UNH-IOL has been vital in helping me to discover a career where I can support myself while doing what I enjoy and also aiding in the advancement of technology.
I’ve returned this summer to the DLC with a new perspective: that of an admitted CS student. Not only has the DLC given me employment in my chosen field, but also the opportunity to work and learn in an environment with like-minded people. I believe wholeheartedly that applying for the UNH-IOL’s summer internship program has been one of the best decisions I have made, and I’m glad to be back.
Boo Strachan, DLNA Technician