Another summer is well underway and here at the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL). Our annual high school internship program is in full swing and we are enjoying getting to know the newest round of students.
This year’s batch of intellectuals consists of eight students, seven young men and one young woman, who are broadening their horizons in AVnu, ESP, DLC, and IPv6. These young adults are realizing what it takes to operate as a vital part of the well-greased engine that is the UNH-IOL; they are learning that the machine can’t run without all parts communicating and performing in unison.
In the first few weeks that they’ve been in the lab they have taken on their professional roles, welcomed the professional relationships that are necessary for success, and faced difficult tasks, new challenges, and complicated research regarding computer science and engineering. The interns are defining what it takes to bridge the gap from teenagers to adults. Cameron Morris, one of our AVnu interns stated, “The lab environment has been different from a high school environment, most significantly in the fact that I am always expected to be doing productive work, never busy work or fruitless projects. My experience so far has been fantastic. This internship has enabled me to explore many careers in technology that I didn't know existed or didn't know much about. It has definitely been a steep learning curve and extraordinarily fast paced but the environment at the lab is supportive and I never feel that I am left out because of my age or inexperience.”
The interns gain real-world networking and communication experience and are able to interact face-to-face with the vendors who come into the lab for testing services. Everyday is an opportunity to see what the business world is really like. In the AVnu Testing Consortium the interns have the opportunity to learn state-of-the-art Time Sensitive Network protocols. In the Digital Living Consortium they perform DLNA testing on members’ products. In the Ethernet Switching Protocols and Fibre Channel (FC) Consortiums they learn overviews of the FC and Switching while creating network diagrams and implementing test tools.
Part of the internship includes the opportunity to tour the facilities of the program’s sponsors, which include Hewlett Packer (HP), Texas Instruments, and Liberty Mutual. During the most recent trip to HP, our students had the opportunity to ask questions at the conclusion of the tour. The questions ranged from what it might take to get a job/internship and what classes to take, to what life after school should include. It is great for the interns to see behind the scenes at large facilities. From the research headquarters and project developments centers to the office cubes and break rooms, it’s an experience they certainly benefit from.
The interns were chosen on the merits of being highly ambitious and motivated and they have already proven themselves to be so. Right from the start we had an intern terminating cables so fast that we had to find other tasks to keep him busy between projects. Before even going to college they are learning what it takes to become valuable members of the workforce.
We are always on the lookout for philanthropic business leaders who want to foster the next generation of professionals in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical (STEM) fields. It’s contributions from these generous corporations that enable our internship program and they benefit by preparing their future workforce by funding this unique opportunity. Over the next few weeks, the interns will continue to meet these sponsors and industry mentors, touring labs at CA Technologies, QA Café, Verizon, Extreme Networks, and Fidelity. At the end of the day we are a learning facility, and we are proud to pass on knowledge and technical skills. It’s a cycle that comes back around when these bright young students enter the work force and support similar programs in their field.
Cameron Schilling
Marketing Coordinator, UNH-IOL
Image credit: UNH-IOL
