Network professionals never stop learning
Career & Tech alumnus reflects on education, experience, environment

Interested in a career in computer networking? Be prepared to learn - constantly. Technology is always changing; what one learns today will have to be re-learned in just a few years. That's the advice offered by Nathan Wood of Voorheesville, a 2006 alumnus of Career & Tech's Computer & Network Technician program, SUNY Morrisville sophomore and 2006 and 2007 summer intern/clerk at the Northeastern Regional Information Center (NERIC) in Albany.

Wood, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in network administration, also urges those interested in the field to get as much hands-on experience as possible, and to experiment and learn on their own. "I fixed my first computer when I was 13. It had a virus, so someone gave it to me to work on," he related. "You should also build your own computer and have fun with it. Do your research, use Google, look online. Experience is everything in this field."
 

Wood speaks highly of the Computer & Network Technician program and his Career & Tech teacher, Dave Patzarian. "Year one, Computer Technician, gave us a nice overview about everything, and I could figure out what I liked and didn't like," Wood said. "In year two, Computer Network Technician, we focused on setting up and testing actual networks and also completed an electronic portfolio, which I still use today." In both years, Wood and his classmates not only studied in the classroom and lab setting, but also completed online courses such as IT I and II and CCNA 1-4. "It is good to learn about national certifications and how to pursue them," he noted.

Wood earned nine college credits through the Computer & Network Technician program and was granted credit for and placed out of an upper level networking course at Morrisville.

During his summer positions with NERIC, including this year's assignment at Career & Tech, Wood learned about the impact of different working environments on job satisfaction and productivity. "When you are in a good work space and like what you are doing, it's a real plus," he said. "Whether the environment is formal or informal, getting things done is important."

Wood's favorite part of his work experience so far has been "meeting others who are doing the same things as I." He has found his summer positions with NERIC rewarding and enjoyable. He also likes that "there will always be work in this field," and plans on a career that will unite the technological and business aspects of network administration.

[8/07]