All posts by Kimberly Gaskin

Adrian Tillman congratulated for proposal

College of Computer and Information Technology

Adrian TillmanThe College of Computer & Information Technology (CCIT) would like to congratulate Professor Adrian Tillman on his proposal for the first annual SPC  Teaching and Learning Conference. With excitement, it is with great pleasure to announce that the proposal, “Experimentation with the Gamification of the Classroom” has been accepted. The presentation will soon be finalized and presenters will be emailed the week of March 14 to provide information about which room/session they will be presenting. If there is a preference due to time conflicts, please notify Michelle Piper at Piper.Michelle@spcollege.edu to reschedule. Below are the available sessions:

  • Session 1 9:15 a. m. -10:00 a. m.
  • Session 2 10:15 a.m.-11:00 a. m.
  • Session 3 11:15 a. m. – noon
  • Session 4 2:00 p. m. – 2:45 p. m.
  • Session 5 3:00 p. m. -3:45 p. m.

Information for presenters regarding Adrian Tillman’s proposal

To keep the learning going after the conference ends, resources will be uploaded from the presentations to the CETL Commons located on MyCourses. Anyone who would like to share resources from their presentation in this area, please e-mail those items to Michelle Piper by April 5 and she will upload them.

SPC awards students with Smart Choice Scholarships

EpiCenter
College of Computer and Information Technology

The College of Computer & Information Technology of St. Petersburg College (SPC) offers Smart Choice Scholarships, where students can receive $500 or $1,000 scholarships for the fall and spring semesters.

Students who are eligible for the Smart Choice Scholarship can apply online for the fall 2016 term through the Foundation website.  The CCIT Advisory Committee along with full-time CCIT Faculty will be responsible for selecting the recipients. The awards will be given when a student is within the last 60-credit-hours of their program. There will be up to five $1,000 awards for students who are enrolled on a full-time basis, and ten $500 awards for students who are enrolled on a part-time basis.

In accordance with the Governor Rick Scott’s challenge to reduce tuition expenses, SPC established a Smart Choice Program for students enrolled in the Technology Development and Management Bachelor of Applied Science Program (TMGT-BAS). Its Foundation department created a Smart Choice Scholarship that is currently funded by Tech Data Corporation’s $10,000 a year and the Florida Information Technology Career Alliance’s $27,000 one-time grant.

Prior to entering the program, students must complete an AS degree or an AA degree with the completion of 21 technical credits that are derived from certificate programs. The five AS programs are:

  • Computer Information Technology
  • Computer Networking
  • Computer Programming and Analysis
  • Cybersecurity
  • Web Development

Within the bachelor’s degree program, students can pursue one of four sub plans:

  • Data Analytics
  • Cybersecurity
  • Project Management
  • Software Development

Students will also be given the opportunity to participate in internships while taking AS courses and have hands-on experience in the field. They must also complete a portfolio which will be reviewed by Susan Biszewski-Eber, Internship Coordinator for SPC. The portfolio will showcase their skills to potential employers.

Other requirements for entering the program include:

  • Must be a Florida Resident
  • Must be enrolled full-time (9 credits) or part-time (6 credits) in the fall and spring
  • Maintain a 2.75 GPA or higher
  • Be continuously enrolled in classes
  • Have a total number of credits that fall between 120-141 credits

Exploratory Lab provides networking opportunity

Exploratory-Lab-Boot-Camp
College of Computer and Information Technology, Student Stories

James Farley was just one of two students who attended last year’s Tampa Bay Technology Forum Exploratory Lab Program, which was hosted by a team of educators from St. Petersburg College’s College of Computer & Information Technology, Valpak and Tech Data. From Farley’s standpoint, the purpose of the exploratory lab was to “help students who are pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Florida (USF), University of Tampa (UT) and SPC, to become aware of careers in information technology.

The program featured IT jobs that focused on concepts such as Cloud Computing and Data Warehousing, which enabled students to “think outside the box.” Farley believes that programs such as this one expose individuals to a wide range of concepts which he believes is beneficial since it pays to be “a jack of all trades.”

Other concepts that were introduced were:

  • Understanding Technology Trends
  • Integrated Marketing Strategies
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Taking Business Risks
  • Networking Stack
  • Video/Collaboration
  • Software Licensing
  • Web E-Commerce
  • UX and Design Thinking
  • Agile and Lean Development
  • Security
  • Data Analytics

Farley heard about the Exploratory Lab Program from a fellow tutor at the college, Giny Kapili, who also attended the event. Though Farley already has an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree, he is currently pursuing the Technology Development and Management Bachelor of Applied Science (TMGT-BAS) degree at SPC with a sub plan in Data Analytics. He believes that the event afforded him the opportunity to connect with people from a variety of backgrounds and age groups.

All students were asked to perform group projects. Farley and 18 others were split into teams and had to come up with a business plan, executive summary and timeline. This was a great networking experience since students communicated via video conferencing to complete the projects. To his delight, his team won. Overall, it was a rewarding experience.

SPC introduces new IT classes for spring term

two new IT classes
College of Computer and Information Technology

This spring, St. Petersburg College introduces two new IT classes. The new classes are part of recent changes to two programs in the College of Computer & Information Technology.

The Technology Development and Management Bachelor of Applied Science

Management Information Systems (formerly ISM 4301), is now known as ISM 3011 and is part of the Major Course requirements for the Technology Development and Management bachelor’s degree. It  will be offered in both the first and second 8-week mods this spring, in online and face-to-face formats.

Computer Programming and Analysis Associate in Science

This A.S. degree gives students a choice from five tracks:

  • C++
  • C#
  • Java
  • Open Source
  • Visual Basic.Net

Each track has three courses for a total of 9 credit hours. Students who plan to pursue the C++ track will notice that there is a new course: COP 2390, C++ Programming with Direct X, (which replaced CAP 2733). The new IT class (COP 2390) will be offered online in the second 8-week mod in the spring.

SPC student gets BayCare Internship

College of Computer and Information Technology, internships

When Mario Osorio left for a summer vacation, he had no idea that he would end up getting an internship. Thanks to Susan Biszewski-Eber, College-wide Internship Coordinator for St. Petersburg College (SPC), Osorio landed an internship at BayCare.

From his perspective, Osorio felt that IT jobs were confined to an office setting. But once he started serving his internship, he realized that the IT world takes on a broader scope, incorporating concepts such as Network Security, Databases and creating websites. At BayCare, he was responsible for setting up network accounts for new employees, but his true love is working with switches and routers. This is apropos since he is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Technology Development and Management with a sub plan in Information Security Assurance (ISA).

A bachelor’s degree such as the one Osorio is pursuing as part of the College of Computer & Information Technology, which prepares students for careers such as:

  • Software Developer
  • Computer Programmer Network and Computer Systems Administrator
  • Computer and Information Systems Manager

In addition to the ISA sub plan, students can pursue the following:

  • Data Analytics
  • Software Development
  • Project Management

Osorio said that the training he received in his courses at SPC have been very helpful.

“My professor Cedric Way of CCIT made the subject matter come alive because he made practical application of the subject instead of just stating the facts,” he said. Also, being able to interact with guest speakers from the IT world who came to the classroom gave everyone a real-world perspective.

Osorio advised that students take everything seriously when in class. He further stated that in preparation for an interview, think of the type of person employers are looking for and do what you can “to stand out from the crowd.” In harmony with his advice, Osorio made his own business cards so that he could market himself to employers. Lastly, he advised students to make sure that their resume is “a cut above the rest!”

SPC student lands internship at Raymond James

College of Computer and Information Technology, internships

Last summer could not have been more exciting for St. Petersburg College student, Stephanie Crispens, who served as an intern at Raymond James Financial, Inc. in St. Petersburg, FL. She found out about the internship opportunity through Susan Biszewski-Eber, College-wide Internship Coordinator. An interview was scheduled for her to meet with a four-person panel. She received a call a couple hours after the interview.

While interning, Crispens was involved in many activities. After meeting with the Vice President and other higher-ups from the company, she participated in a team building exercise with her assigned group as they worked with IT Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC).As part of the project, she and her team were responsible for finding improvements to the onboarding process for contractors. She also had the pleasure of taking a cooking class at Publix. On another occasion, she and the other interns had lunch with Andy Zopler, Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Bella Allaire, Executive Vice President (EVP), both of Raymond James. She was able to attend department overview meetings to learn the purpose of each area. Overall, the internship was a rewarding experience. To top things off, the Crispens’ team won an award for their team project. After serving her internship, she was hired full-time as an Onboarding Contractor.

Stephanie is just one of many who have had successful internships. Within the past five years, students who were pursuing an Associate in Science degree as part of the College of Computer & Information Technology department, have served and successfully completed internships for companies such as Netwolves, the Panyha Foundation, Vincent House and Leap Frog Innovations, Inc. to name a few. Most of these students obtained full-time employment with these companies and are doing what they love to do.

Students who are interested in an internship should contact Susan Biszewski-Eber at 727-398-8469 or e-mail her at Bizewskieber.Susan@spcollege.edu .

Stephanie is currently enrolled in the IT Security A.S. degree at SPC.

SPC hosts information technology info session Nov. 12

College of Computer and Information Technology, Technology Events

Information technology info session

Are you interested in a Computer & Information Technology degree?

St. Petersburg College will host an information technology info session where students  can learn more about the College of Computer and Information Technology department’s IT certificates, associates and bachelor’s degrees.

Information technology info session event details

The event will be held on:

Thursday, Nov. 12, 5:30 -7 p. m.

SPC’s Clearwater Campus
Ethics and Social Sciences Building (ES) Room 104
2465 Drew St.
Clearwater FL, 33765

RSVP for this event online.

The College of Computer & Information Technology provides students with programs in the following areas:

Certificates

During the info session, you can explore these certificates:

  • Cisco Certified Network Associate
  • Computer Support
  • Computer Programming Specialist
  • Information Technology (IT) Security
  • Linux System Administrator
  • Microsoft Certified Server Administrator
  • Web Development

Associate in Science (A.S.) degree

You can also learn how these two-year technology degrees lead provide a clear path to our bachelor’s degree:

  • Computer Networking
  • Computer Programming & Analysis
  • Information Technology (IT) Security
  • Technology Management
  • Web Development

For more information about the information technology info session, please contact Kimberly Gaskin at 727-341-4641.

SPC IT student lands internship and job at E-Telligence

College of Computer and Information Technology, internships

St. Petersburg College student Nevan Fitzpatrick had no idea when he applied for an internship at St. Petersburg College that he would end up with an internship and job at E-Telligence. During his internship at E-Telligence he:

  • Worked with the IT asset management team to ensure that hardware and software were in compliance with industry standards
  • Completed software audits for companies to make sure they had the proper licenses so they could avoid additional costs
  • Did some troubleshooting on the computer equipment and completed reports based on what he found
  • Edited existing reports for their sequel server
  • Made edits to their website.

Learn more about SPC Internships. The deadline for student internship applications is Nov. 1 for spring term internships. #spcintern #careerspc

Since the company was looking for someone to hire, he worked through his internship and was eventually hired on a full-time basis.

Fitzpatrick is a graduate of St. Petersburg College’s Computer Programming and Analysis A.S. Degree program, which is part of the curriculum for the College of Computer & Information Technology. Currently, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Development and Management with a subplan in Software Development.

He advises students that when they are seeking an internship, it is important to:

  • Have a good resume
  • Look up the companies you are applying to before an interview to show your interest in the company and their mission
  • Be well dressed and speak in a confident manner
  • Be prepared to prove your skill set

Most of all, Fitzpatrick advised students that your GPA matters. He currently has a 4.0 GPA at St. Petersburg College.

Geek Glam 2015 celebrates women in technology

Geek Glam 2015
College of Computer and Information Technology

Help us celebrate women in technology at the third annual Geek Glam in Tampa Bay event on Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 5:30-9 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from this fun event will benefit women studying technology at St. Petersburg College.

Geek Glam event highlights

Presented by Women in Technology International (WITI)Tampa, Geek Glam 2015 will feature ways to reset your professional network, career path and work look and will include:

  • Runway show by White House|Black Market
  • Wine and Hor D’oeuvres
  • Silent Auction
  • Door prizes
  • Live DJ
  • Tech Station by Apple

This year’s event will be held at:

PSCU
560 Carillon Parkway
St. Petersburg, FL 33716

The cost is $25.00 for WITI members and $30.00 for non-members.

Learn more about the event and register online to attend Geek Glam 2015 today.

Geek Glam 2015 sponsors and partners

Sponsors and partners for this year’s event include:

  • St. Petersburg College
  • PSCU
  • accenture
  • Princeton Information
  • HSN
  • White House | Black Market

For more information, please contact WITI at (818) 788-9484 or email sponsorship@corp.witi.com for partnership opportunities.

Apply for Exploratory Lab Boot Camp by Sept. 9

College of Computer and Information Technology, Technology Events

Exploratory Lab Flyer2015The second annual Exploratory Lab Boot Camp is now accepting applications. Tech Data, St. Petersburg College and other partners are hosting the event on Sept. 28-Oct. 2 to help college students increase their technical skills and marketability in various fields of study.

At the Exploratory Lab Boot Camp, you will:

  • Learn how technology and business concepts are integrated
  • Explore Tech Data, a leading technology firm based in Pinellas County
  • Connect with local technology firms and learn about career options and internships

The program is free of charge for college juniors and seniors.

Apply now for Exploratory Lab Boot Camp

The deadline to apply for the Exploratory Lab Boot Camp is Sept. 9. Don’t miss this opportunity!