Kenneth Elliott
Class of 2008

For Technology Support and Training Management (TSTM) senior, Kenneth Elliot, the TSTM program has given him the stepping-stones to a successful future. Kenneth is completing his internship at AgFirst Farm Credit Bank.

Good relationships within the College and networking skills helped Kenneth find out about the internship with AgFirst. Karen Kemp, a supervisor at AgFirst, was looking for somebody to do a web design. After seeing Kenneth’s work in HRSM 301, Mrs. Tina Weaver, alumni director for HRSM, recommended him for the internship. With the help and encouragement of various College of HRSM staff, Kenneth was offered the position.

On a typical day most of his tasks and responsibilities revolve around getting the E-Learning Web site done for the company. His tasks can range from adding content to the Web site to setting different permission levels for users accessing the site.

Since starting his internship, Kenneth has learned about the Microsoft SharePoint and InfoPath software, which allows you to create elaborate team network sites.

“The hardest part of my internship is giving presentations, because sometimes you know the people you are presenting to know more than you do. The easiest part is taking new programming languages and software and applying them to logic you already know,” says Kenneth.

One of the things Kenneth says has been most beneficial in helping him prepare for his internship is learning proper etiquette and communication on the job. Working for a professional business whose headquarters reach out to associations up and down the East Coast can be nerve wracking, but Kenneth says as long as you know how to act on the job and do your job to the best of your ability, you have nothing to worry about. Kenneth says that HRSM 301 – Professional Development helped provide him with a lot of knowledge of on the job etiquette.

Kenneth chose to major in TSTM, because he wanted to stay involved with computer technology which he enjoys. Since the age of 14, Kenneth had a desire to learn about web development and web design. The TSTM program showed him how he could make a career out of it. With the encouragement of Dr. Bob Brookshire and Dr. Dan Norris, Kenneth learned as much as he could about web development and web design.

“My advice to other College of HRSM students is to make sure that you learn as much as you can at the internship. There are so many people there that have been doing what you want to do and can provide you with great experience. Also, make sure to network with as many people as you can and remember them as your continue your career. They will be the greatest help as you build your future and will almost always be there to fall back on,” says Kenneth.