Internship Value  

I found that an internship at CSC was very beneficial; both from an education stand point and a career aide. Working here allowed me to get a better perspective of how a tech company works beyond what is learned in CS 345 by actually ‘living’ the courses. Computer science courses at JMU gave me good fundamentals for transferring to the real word of technology companies though working at this internship solidified what my professors have taught me. I found it interesting to see how the consistent, yet often ignored, emphasis on planning code and design taught by professors was used in full force in the workplace. You can see how design and testing of code is so important when used in the real word, yet students usually do not understand the importance. I also left this internship with a better understanding of how large, interconnected programs work and the benefit of UML diagrams and inheritance.

 This internship helped me in ways other than improving my technical skills. Working in a place for 40 hours a week for 12 weeks allows you to see if you can handle working in a professional environment for an extended amount of time. I find that when many employers are selecting new hires, it is almost just as important for these people to be social and have good communication skills so they can get along and work with others in the group. This is an important skill to have in all careers, including technology fields. It was good to be able to spend the day with fellow coworkers and be able to effectively communicate technical issues as well as being social and respectful in a workplace environment. Working at CSC was also a huge resume boost that proves to future employees that I can be competent as a recent grad and am suitable for a work environment. Internships are a good way to get a job next summer when you graduate because they allow you to gain connections within the company to find a place that is suitable for both you and the employer. I felt that through my technical skills and reputation with my managers that I may be able to get a full time job offer upon graduation due to my internship.