The University of Memphis, in conjunction with Enterasys Networks and Avaya, is providing internship opportunities for engineering and business students.
Enterasys Networks, sponsor of the summer internship, is a new company whose main focus is networking and providing communication infrastructures.
Avaya, sponsor of the new, year around internship, specializes in network and wireless gear, as well as phone systems.
The Enterasys internship this past summer lasted seven weeks and employed two undergraduates and two graduates, who worked on projects such as networking the psychology building and Robinson Hall.
“For seven weeks, they were trained to configure switches, hubs and routers for six hours a day. So in the end, they have experience how to configure them, how to install them and what a network is,” said Mark L. Reavis, associate director of network services at The U of M.
Reavis said the main goal of the internship program is to give students experience with various computer networks in different environments.
“I designed this program to allow engineering students to be able to pick up hands-on network training and network switches, hubs and routers with different companies,” Reavis said. “In classes, the students learn more about theories — now when the students graduate, they will have some hands-on experience to go with it.
To apply for an internship, students must be majoring in either business or engineering and have a 3.25 or higher grade point average.
Reavis said the first-hand training provided by such internships is an invaluable addition to the college experience.
“Basically when you go to college, you really don’t use what’s out there in the big companies until you get out there and start working,” said Reavis. “You actually get to use this equipment and make it work, learn to make it work in a real life environment. It complements with the classroom learning.”
Tim Florence, a U of M senior majoring in computer engineer technology and participant in the summer internship program, said he gained valuable knowledge and experience through the program.
“It was beyond positive,” Florence said. “The biggest thing was we actually got to see some of the things that we talk about in class. In class, all we talk about is theory, but you really don’t know what’s going on and how to implement that technology in the real world. Also, with all the information I learned, I am using it for my senior thesis.”
Shylaja Kadabohina, a graduate engineering major and participant in the internship program, said her experience during the summer internship was a positive experience, even though the transition from classroom to on-site training was difficult.
“It was too good of an experience,” Kadabohina said. “In the beginning it was tough for me, but the experience I gained was the most important.”
Students interested in more information about these internship programs can contact either the Department of Business or the Department of Engineering.
