IMMOKALEE — The Immokalee Technical College Students of the Month for August honor goes to a team of four men in the Computer Systems and Information Technology Program for their tenacity to forge ahead with their lessons in the summer and for their professionalism as they experience real-world hands-on training with school computers. The team has been evaluating the college’s computer equipment and repairing it to usable condition. The students are getting hands-on experience in networking, wireless browsers, making and testing network cables, and troubleshooting.

First year CSIT student, Caleb Roadcap, initially attended iTECH to earn his high school credential in the GED program. “I liked the place and always wanted to do cyber security. The CSIT program was a doorway to that field. The field of cyber security seems like it offers job security.” Caleb aspires to be a secret agent and use his knowledge of computers and cyber security in the future.

Juan Ledezma, also a first year student, always had an interest in computers. When he lost his job in the customer service sector, his friend, who had graduated from the iTECH Machining Program recommended he enroll at iTECH. “I figured it was a good time to make the transition to the technology field,” he reflects.

CSIT instructor, Amy McMullin congratulated Caleb and Juan. “They stayed focused and quickly completed the software and hardware programs already earning an industry certification.”

”I finished the first part, CSIT, but I wanted the whole package,” said second year student, Juan Jose Galvan Garcia. “Cyber security is needed. A lot of what we do is on the Internet, and a lot of bad people out there want your information. To be safe, we need to learn the hackers’ techniques.

“For me,” comments Andrew Trevino, also a second year cyber security student, “it is more about a career where’re you have to be constantly learning to get better.” Andrew cautions, ”Watch out for emails that ask for personal information. Keep everything safe.”

“Juan Jose and Andrew have been working hard this summer deepening their knowledge of networking,” emphasizes Ms. McMullin.

With computers touching every phase of our lives, the students know that CSIT is a high demand occupation. Graduates from the program are recruited by local businesses, and entry level wage is around $20 an hour.