JVS program helps build gateway to success

BLOOMINGDALE -- Students in the computer networking technologies program are building a gateway to success at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.

Instructor Wayne Harris said 18 juniors and seniors participate in the program, which is now in its 19th year at the school. Students can earn certifications in computer support, network support and computer network repairs through Computing Technology Industry Association, a nonprofit trade association that issues professional certifications for the information technology industry and is considered one of the top trade associations. They primarily work with TestOut software for CompTIA IT Fundamentals, CompTIA A-Plus and CompTIA Network Plus and seniors have gotten a little more hands-on by building computers.

"We are using the TestOut software for two different classes. We have IT Fundamentals and it's an entry-level IT certification that breaks them into the field (as juniors)," Harris explained. "It gives them an opportunity to step back and look at the big picture to see what they want to get out of it. Seniors still do TestOut but the class is for PC professionals is based on CompTIA A-Plus certification, and at that point they are studying more computer hardware and how to diagnose and repair it as well as how to diagnose and repair software."

He added that seniors built six new computers this year and he hoped a senior class performed similar projects each year to receive experience. Many graduates move on to work in the field including entry-level jobs as PC technicians and PC support specialists to computer repair technicians; technical careers such as computer network specialists, data center technicians and systems analysts; and professional positions from network administrators to IT project managers. Harris has kept in touch with alumni who work with IT in the military, as IT security specialists and as a bank vice president.

Although technology is rapidly evolving, he noted that his pupils are already advanced since they use computers and may build them at home.

"A lot of their interest is around gaming and that's why they are interested in hardware and components, so it allows them to have over those with older machines."

Students say they have been gaining knowledge from the program and encourage others to get with the program.

"I personally would love to get into a technological school and may become an IT manager," said junior Kylie Clark. "It was more of an interest from childhood and I always had a knack for it."

Clark, who attends Indian Creek High School, said she has learned a lot from the JVS program such as binary coding and that computers have their own languages. She definitely would recommend the program to her peers.

Seth Lewis, a junior from Buckeye Local High School, agreed and said he has had a longtime interest in computers.

"When I was younger, my dad got me into it. I heard about this program at the JVS and picked it," he noted. "I feel at the JVS that everyone is the same and I like how so many kids come from different schools. This program has definitely prepared me [and I've studied] data analytics, coding, programming and how to use Microsoft's Excel table."

Lewis hopes to work in cybersecurity in the future and said he would recommend the JVS program to other students with a similar interest in technology.