SGTC Computer Information Systems program hosts IT forum, advisory meeting
The Computer Information Systems advisory committee at SGTC is, from left to right: Dr. Andrea Oates, Nelson McCrary, Will Patterson, Michael Wilson, Chris Saunders, and Andrea Ingram.
South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Computer Information Systems and Networking Specialist instructor Andrea Ingram recently invited several area Information Technology (IT) professionals to speak to students in her program about the field of IT, what a career in IT means, and what kind of jobs and compensation they can expect upon graduation. Ingram also used this as an opportunity to host the Computer Information Systems advisory committee meeting with participation from the panelists.
The forum panel consisted of Ross Youngdale, Technical Director at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center; Michael Wilson, Network Technician at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center; Nelson McCrary, Tech Support Manager at Barnett Computers; Steven Thompson, Operations Manager at NEOS; Cassius King, Tier II Support at Technology One; David Prince, Jr., Assistant Vice President for IT at Magnolia Manor. Christopher Saunders, Systems Engineer at NEOS, and Will Patterson, Network Engineer at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, along with panelists Nelson McCrary and Michael Wilson, made up the advisory committee.
Five of the advisory committee members who participated in the meeting and forum are former SGTC graduates. Those IT professionals included Michael Wilson, Cassius King, David Prince, Jr.; Christopher Sounder, and Will Patterson.
Demand for IT professionals has been growing rapidly over the past few years and is expected to continue. Research states that the IT jobs set to experience the most demand growth are network systems and data communications analysts, computer software engineers, systems analysts, and network and systems administrators. Students enrolled in the Computer Information Systems and Networking Specialist programs were able to ask specific questions about these jobs to the panel.
The purpose of the advisory committee is to assist South Georgia Technical College faculty and staff in continuous quality improvement of the Computer Information Systems and Networking Specialist programs. SGTC Computer Information Systems and Networking Specialist instructor Andrea Ingram provided the committee with updates and information about program changes, enrollment, community activities, and student news. Academic Dean Dr. Andrea Oates was also present at the advisory meeting.
The advisory committee members provide information to SGTC faculty and staff about suggested improvements in curriculum, new training opportunities that are available in the field of information technology, new technology, employment/internship opportunities available for students, and salary levels students may anticipate upon graduation.
The advisory committee is a crucial link that provides an avenue for South Georgia Tech instructors to learn about changing conditions or technology in the workplace that can then be passed along to students that will enable them to be fully prepared upon graduation.
Additional financial aid funding through the HOPE Career Grant (formerly Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant) is available for the Networking Specialist program at SGTC. HOPE Grant eligible students taking nine (9) or more semester hours in the Networking Specialist program may receive an additional $500 per semester through the Grant. For more information, contact SGTC Financial Aid at 229.931.2319 (Americus) or 229.271.4043 (Cordele).