Click on the link to an article that discusses an initiative for a four-year degree for $10,000 that features Dr. Sharon Setterlind, Dean of the College of Computer & Information Technology Department and Jesse Coraggio, of Academic and Student Affairs, from St. Petersburg College.
All posts by Kimberly Gaskin
HITT Program moves to Corporate Training Center
The HITT grant program has transitioned to St. Petersburg College’s (SPC) Corporate Training Center located at 13805 58th St North Largo FL, 33760. When the program began in the fall of 2012, individuals who were unemployed and qualified for the program, had the opportunity to pursue one of three certificates: Java Programming (JAVA-CT) Microsoft IT professional (MCITPS-CT) and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA-CT). Though other programs have transitioned to Corporate Training, the CCNA program will still be classified under the College of Computer & Information Technology (CCIT) department.
Candidates can apply for either the CCIT credit certificate (CCNA) or the SPC Corporate Training non-credit programs that begin in July. Please note that the CCNA credit courses will begin in the fall semester, though applications are currently being accepted. To be eligible for the program you must meet the following requirements:
- You are currently unemployed. Contact WorkNet for specifics regarding terms of unemployment.
- You are a Hillsborough or Pinellas County resident (at least one year).
- You are 18 years or older, with some computer background
- You meet U.S. Citizen requirements or hold current Authorization to work in the U.S.
- If you are a male whose date of birth falls after December 31st 1959 then you meet the Selective Service registration requirements.
- You have a high school diploma or GED.
Once you apply online with WorkNET Pinellas, WorkNET along with Grant Specialist Mary Schock will screen candidates to determine eligibility and suitability for the program.
If you know of a student who may qualify for this opportunity, please refer them to the SPC web site http://www.spcollege.edu/hitt/ or the WorkNet web site: www.worknetpinellas.org then click on Tampa Bay Hi-Tech Training program.
Certificate programs offered under this grant program include credit as well as non-credit courses:
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SPC College of Computer & Information Technology- CCNA (Credit) |
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SPC Corporate Training (Non Credit Courses) |
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Java Web Programming (SCJA- Sun Certified Java Associate/Oracle Java Associate Certification(OCAJP) |
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Mac OS X Program- Apple Certified Associate- Mac Integration 10.7 |
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Mobile Programming |
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SharePoint Administrator Program |
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SQL Server Program |
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VMware Program-VMware Certified Professional 5-Data Center Virtualization (VCP5-DCV) |
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Wireless Networking Program (CWNA) certification |
If you have any questions, please call SPC Grant Specialist Mary Schock at 727-341-4440 For WorkNet specific questions, please call Project Director Maryanne Harkey for WorkNet Pinellas at 727-608-2479.
Dr. William Cross joins CCIT Advisory Committee
When Dr. William Cross was invited to join the Advisory Committee for the College of Computer & Information Technology department (CCIT) at St. Petersburg College (SPC), he was excited to have the opportunity to contribute his business expertise for the betterment of the committee and SPC, since he has over 45 years of experience in the Information Technology field. As a resident of St. Pete Beach, Cross has always had an interest in giving back to the community. In his role as the Chairman of the Career Assistance Committee and Community Relations Sub-Committee at SPC, Cross along with 10 Chief Information Officers (CIO) are collaborating on a Career Pathways initiative to help students explore career opportunities.
Apart from his committee responsibilities, Cross is also an Adjunct Professor for the CCIT department at SPC. He teaches upper division courses such as ISM 4212 Database Design and Administration and ISM 4301 Global Information Systems. Prior to teaching at SPC, Cross was an Adjunct Professor for the University of South Florida, Eckerd College and Florida Institute of Technology. He received a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics from Kenyon College in 1964, a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1978 and a Ph.D. in Information Systems in 1991 from Nova University.
Commenting on his experience as an Adjunct Professor over the years, Cross said, “I never taught a class where I didn’t learn something new.” He further stated that since textbooks mostly explain concepts, he strives to bring real-world experience to the classroom. Since he retired, he said that fulfilling his roles has been more manageable. In the future, he hopes to put together an apprenticeship program for programming students in the CCIT department. He wants to impart to them experience, as well as academic knowledge to equip them when they look for employment.
Student Shares Experience About “Ask the Experts” Event
When Joshua Gaubatz was informed about “Ask the Experts” from Outreach Coordinator Steve Ford, he jumped at the opportunity to attend. Gaubatz felt that it was a great opportunity since attendees could speak to representatives from various companies. He further stated that events such as this one provide insight into the skill-sets companies are seeking.
Since most companies desire candidates to have industry experience or a degree in the field, Gaubatz was interested in finding out what companies are looking for so that he would appear more marketable. There were representatives on hand from companies such as Bright House Networks and Wells Fargo Bank to answer questions and offer advice. Attendees were informed about the background of various companies and were notified about the skill-sets that were desirable to employers. Tips about writing resumes and job interview etiquette were also offered.
Gaubatz felt that attending the event was a rewarding experience since he was able to learn about the interviewing process, soft-skills and how to be more presentable to employers. He also mentioned that it is important to “sell yourself” to the employer. Since the event, he met with an advisor in the Career Center, Rose Mackey, with whom he reviewed his resume’. Mackey helped him with the structure of the resume’ and highlighted that the contents of the resume’ should let the employer know what they are getting in a potential candidate. She suggested that he look up job titles and tasks and include those skill- sets in the resume’. Additionally, the 3-month internship he served at Net Wolves was a plus, since he was able to work with Senior Technicians and Engineers to gain experience. He is currently in the Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program for Technology Management at St. Petersburg College and hopes to finish next year. Though a challenge, he has managed to juggle working full-time, go to school and successfully complete his internship.
Elizabeth Van Scoyoc receives Alumni Achievement Award
Elizabeth Van Scoyoc is one of five Administrative Services Specialists in the College of Computer & Information Technology department (CCIT). She works for Chrissy Risberg, the Academic Department Chair at the Tarpon Springs and Seminole Campuses for the CCIT department. Prior to working for the CCIT department, Van Scoyoc has worked in other capacities at the College. She started out as a federal work-study employee in the Tarpon Springs Campus Administration building, where she provided support in the following areas: The Business Office, Testing Center, Associate Provost Office, and Front Reception Desk. She worked her way up to Senior Administrative Services Assistant- an OPS position, where she provided tours to prospective students and their families and performed New Student Orientations alongside a colleague who is an advisor for the College. During the holiday season, she worked at the campus bookstore and as a proctor during mid-terms and finals-all at the Tarpon Springs Campus.
One thing that all of these positions held in common were the interaction with students. “I love interacting with people. I feel the experience gained while working in the Administration Building and other departments on campus has given me the knowledge and tools I need to address inquiries of instructors and students in my current position,” Van Scoyoc said. She further stated that the best part of her job is having “an awesome boss” who has helped her grow professionally in her new position.
In her role as an Academic Services Specialist, her duties include: ensuring that classrooms are comfortable and equipment is working properly, addressing inquiries of students and instructors and working with other staff members in order to learn how to do her job in a more efficient manner. “I want to help students to be successful in their classes. I encourage them to seek help from their instructors early in the course if they have any concerns,” she said.
Commenting on her personal contributions to the department, Van Scoyoc feels her job involves many great people who guide one another through the day-to-day functions of working in a public, academic environment; it is like “a well-oiled machine with many parts that work together to get the job done. We are proud of what we do here at the College. We see the difference we make in students’ lives-that’s what it’s all about!”
As a recent graduate from SPC with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration, Van Scoyoc received the highest honor awarded by SPC to a graduating senior-the Alumni Achievement Award. She met the criteria by excelling academically, volunteering in her community at the C.A.P. Center, Tarpon Spring Elementary School and at numerous SPC/Community functions. She was also a member of the Student Government Association (SGA) where she held the position of Secretary; she was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa-Alpha Zeta Tau (SGA Liaison), all while dealing with the responsibilities of being a single parent.
With the suggestion of Instructor Jeff Kronschnabl, Van Scoyoc and 3 of her classmates applied for the Alumni Achievement Award. Once selected, each was interviewed by the Alumni Association Board. All candidates prepared remarks for graduation while awaiting the winner to be announced. “Graduation was a wonderful experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Student Attends “Ask the Experts” at St. Petersburg College’s EpiCenter Campus
Recently, St. Petersburg College held an “Ask the Experts” information session on May 21, 2013 at the Collaborative Labs Center at the EpiCenter campus of St. Petersburg College (SPC). Professionals from companies in the Tampa Bay area were on hand to answer student questions and provide information about career opportunities. One student who attended was Marko Dobrilovic, a Technology Management major at St. Petersburg College, who thoroughly enjoyed his experience at “Ask the Experts.” He felt that it was beneficial since employers were available to answer questions, and students were able to receive tips about interviewing and other skills that are essential to finding the right job. He stated that he would like to see SPC host more events such as this one in the future.
Currently, he is enrolled in the TMGT-BAS program. He is enjoying the program and feels that the skills he is acquiring will be beneficial now and in the future. He said that the program provides the right combination of theoretical and practical work experience.
Industry Certification Leads to New Heights
Though well-versed in music, Zachary Taylor has always had a techy side. After starting a family, Taylor decided to tap into his love for computers and pursue a certificate at St. Petersburg College (SPC). He pursued the Cisco Certified Network Associate Certificate (CCNA). Recently, he took the level 2 industry certification exam for CCNA. He felt that being industry certified would be beneficial since it would place him in a higher salary bracket for an entry level position and would make him “more marketable in the job market.” Taking the industry certification exam was not an easy task for Taylor. “It takes a lot of extra time and self-study. You have to understand what you are doing before you take the exam, he said.” Taylor felt that the CCNA certificate program he pursued at SPC gave him invaluable skills in preparation for the exam as well as give him skillsets that can be applied in the real-world setting. Currently, Taylor is serving an internship at Net Wolves, where he is learning about procedures and routing protocols. His advice to students who plan to pursue an internship in the future is to “approach the internship like a real job that pays. Treat it as if you are going for your dream job. Take it seriously and be professional.”
Online job fair for job seekers
| WORKNET PINELLAS | TAMPABAY WORKFORCE ALLIANCE |
| 13805 58th Street North, Suite 2-140Clearwater, FL 33760Contact: Kimberly Williams(727) 608-2452,kwilliams@worknetpinellas.org | 5100 W. Kennedy Blvd., #300Tampa, Florida 33609Contact: Debby Vega-Hofmann(813) 397-2055hofmannd@workforcetampa.com |
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Job Fair for Tampa Bay’s Youth Goes Live This Weekend
CLEARWATER (May 9, 2013) – From May 12 to May 18, Tampa Bay’s youth will have access to job opportunities through an online job fair targeting job seekers ages 14 to 24. For the third consecutive year, the organizing partners for this hiring event will span a four-county radius including Suncoast Workforce (Manatee/Sarasota), Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance (Hillsborough), and WorkNet Pinellas (Pinellas).
“The virtual job fair is an opportunity to connect youth with employment so that they may gain the skills and experience necessary to become successful future members of the workforce,” said Edward Peachey, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance and WorkNet Pinellas.
Job opportunities for full-time, part-time, summer, temporary and permanent positions will be available. Currently over 265 employers are participating in the virtual job fair listing 1,085 job openings. With listings ranging from first-time jobs to jobs requiring college degrees and some experience, the online platform offers very real jobs for very real job seekers. The job fair is free of cost and simple to access. It’s not too late to register! Job seekers can sign up and search for jobs throughout the week long event.
Businesses that are interested in participating are encouraged to post their open positions on vjf.worknetpinellas.org. Only during the LIVE week-long event will job seekers be able to submit their resumes for employers’ job openings, who then can review them at their convenience.
More details are available online at vjf.worknetpinellas.org or by contacting vjf@worknetpinellas.org.
About Tampa Bay WorkForce Alliance and WorkNet Pinellas
Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance and WorkNet Pinellas serve as the regional workforce development boards for Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, respectively. For more information on WorkNet Pinellas or Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance programs and services please visit www.worknetpinellas.org or www.workforcetampa.com. TBWA and WorkNet are members of the Employ Florida network of workforce services and are equal opportunity employers delivering equal opportunity programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities by calling TTY/TDD 711.
Student Expresses Gratitude to CCIT Department
Contributing writer
Thanks to Mrs. Ortiz and several other fine instructors that have contributed to my IT education, I am now working in the IT department for a large call center rather than taking calls. My income has doubled and I now enjoy what I do. My goal at SPC was to gain knowledge that would enable me to begin a career, which has been a lot of hard work. I also took the initiative of getting my certs along the way, so as to have a leg up on most others which made a big difference.
We use both Windows and LINUX at work; the majority of the servers are LINUX servers and we have approximately 120 UBUNTU workstations. We have approximately 100 Windows work stations running XP and Windows 7.
I look forward to continuing my learning with LINUX and Windows, along with everything else that I will need to dive into along the way. It is very nice to be getting paid for the profession I pursued. All the best to everyone!
News Brief: CCBA
DHS ANNOUNCES CYBER STUDENT INITIATIVE WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced the creation of the Secretary’s Honors Program (SHP) Cyber Student Initiative – a new DHS program to engage exceptional community college students, including student veterans, in cybersecurity work at DHS. Local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations field offices will serve as training centers for selected cyber students to gain hands-on experience within the DHS cybersecurity professional community. “DHS is committed to providing opportunities for the next generation of cyber professionals,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. “The Secretary’s Honors Program Cyber Student Initiative will offer current students the opportunity to learn more about the critical skills and experience needed to succeed and protect our nation from evolving cyber threats.” The SHP Cyber Student Initiative was created upon recommendation from the Homeland Security Advisory Council’s Task Force on CyberSkills that DHS strengthen its outreach to students at community colleges and among veterans. The new program is part of the Department’s overall efforts to address the Task Force’s set of eleven recommendations, released last October and aimed at improving DHS’ ability to build a world-class cybersecurity team. The Cyber Student Initiative will be incorporated into the SHP – announced by Secretary Napolitano in October 2012 – and is specifically designed as an unpaid student volunteer program for current community college students and student veterans pursuing a program of study in a cybersecurity-related field. These student volunteers will gain in-depth knowledge and practical experience as they work directly with DHS cybersecurity professionals at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement computer forensics labs in 36 cities nationwide. DHS will work with community colleges to encourage students to apply and will coordinate with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Association of Community Colleges to promote the opportunity. Learn more about and apply for the SHP Cyber Student Initiative here. The application period will close on May 3, with student volunteer positions beginning in June. For more information, visit www.dhs.gov. or contact
Community College Baccalaureate Association
Beth Hagan 239.947.8085