Bryant IT students experience cooperative learning (co-op) with FM Global
As part of the co-op program, students work as full-time employees for one of the largest business property insurers in the world.
Last spring semester, Scott Johnson ’11 (Johnston, RI) found himself smack dab in the middle of the action. To complement his classroom work, he had recently started a co-op at FM Global that would give him the opportunity to work full-time for six months at a company that insures one third of all Fortune 1000 companies to complement his classroom work. (Learn more about FM Global.)
His team was charged with overseeing a data center migration. It didn’t matter that he was less than two years into his college career. Johnson was expected to keep up with the veterans.
“Most of my responsibilities fell in line with the rest of the members of the team,” says Johnson, an information technology major. “While at FM Global, you are treated as a full-fledged employee, which requires you to perform just like every other individual on your team,” says Johnson.
While the servers were moved into a new data center, he was responsible for making sure they were up and running correctly.
“This project was one-of-a-kind,” explains Johnson. “Some IT professionals can work more than 30 years and never experience a data center migration.”
The co-op experience, he says, is crucial to a well-rounded education. In addition to applying the skills he learned and acquiring new ones, Johnson has a leg up when he enters the work world.
“I have a number of work-related experiences that I can add to my résumé, which should help me stand out among other applicants,” says Johnson.
Learning on the job
John Botte ’11 (Smithtown, NY), who also took part in a co-op last spring, says he was attracted by the opportunity to apply what he learned in the classroom to a real project. One of the main projects he worked on was testing, building, and labeling code for the development of a customized application.
“I gained new insight that complemented what I was being taught in the classroom,” says Botte, who would like to run his own IT consulting business one day. “Programming became easier as I applied my skills to real world projects.”
For Nathan Dullea ’10 (Lincoln, NH), his current participation in the co-op program simulates an environment he will encounter after graduating.
“This experience is building my confidence,” he says. “I’ll be able to easily adjust to the workplace because it will no longer be an unknown situation.”
Carlos Romero ’10 (Long Island, NY) is in the midst of his six-month co-op assignment as a business analyst. He is responsible for testing and researching to help develop new technologies.
“This experience will definitely help when I start my career because I have actual IT experiences,” says Romero. “It gives me a first-hand look at what working in this field entails and is a great item to put my résumé.
‘Enriched learning experience’
Janet Prichard, associate professor of computer information systems and department chair, tells students that one of the most important experiences they can have before graduation is an internship. The FM Global co-op offers much more than a traditional internship, which makes it that much more beneficial.
“Students quickly assume many of the same responsibilities that regular employees are expected to perform,” she says. “When it comes to finding a job, students with these kinds of experiences are more attractive candidates and often are the first ones to secure an offer for a full-time position.”
The FM Global co-op program gives Bryant students a chance to apply what they learn in the classroom in a real world setting.
The co-op helps students understand how IT is integrated in the company, learn how groups collaborate, and experience what it is like to work in a corporate environment. “After students complete the co-op, they show a renewed interest and dedication in their technology studies,” says Prichard.
Lisa Provost ’86, a claims system manager at FM Global, will be on campus next week to interview students interested in the co-op program. She says the relationship is beneficial for students, as well as the company.
“The co-op program offers an enriched learning experience for students and an avenue to develop new professional relationships and contacts,” says Provost. “It is also an opportunity for FM Global to bring in highly motivated individuals with new and fresh ideas.”
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Students interested in learning more about the FM Global co-op program should contact Janet Prichard.
His team was charged with overseeing a data center migration. It didn’t matter that he was less than two years into his college career. Johnson was expected to keep up with the veterans.
“Most of my responsibilities fell in line with the rest of the members of the team,” says Johnson, an information technology major. “While at FM Global, you are treated as a full-fledged employee, which requires you to perform just like every other individual on your team,” says Johnson.
While the servers were moved into a new data center, he was responsible for making sure they were up and running correctly.
“This project was one-of-a-kind,” explains Johnson. “Some IT professionals can work more than 30 years and never experience a data center migration.”
The co-op experience, he says, is crucial to a well-rounded education. In addition to applying the skills he learned and acquiring new ones, Johnson has a leg up when he enters the work world.
“I have a number of work-related experiences that I can add to my résumé, which should help me stand out among other applicants,” says Johnson.
Learning on the job
John Botte ’11 (Smithtown, NY), who also took part in a co-op last spring, says he was attracted by the opportunity to apply what he learned in the classroom to a real project. One of the main projects he worked on was testing, building, and labeling code for the development of a customized application.
“I gained new insight that complemented what I was being taught in the classroom,” says Botte, who would like to run his own IT consulting business one day. “Programming became easier as I applied my skills to real world projects.”
For Nathan Dullea ’10 (Lincoln, NH), his current participation in the co-op program simulates an environment he will encounter after graduating.
“This experience is building my confidence,” he says. “I’ll be able to easily adjust to the workplace because it will no longer be an unknown situation.”
Carlos Romero ’10 (Long Island, NY) is in the midst of his six-month co-op assignment as a business analyst. He is responsible for testing and researching to help develop new technologies.
“This experience will definitely help when I start my career because I have actual IT experiences,” says Romero. “It gives me a first-hand look at what working in this field entails and is a great item to put my résumé.
‘Enriched learning experience’
Janet Prichard, associate professor of computer information systems and department chair, tells students that one of the most important experiences they can have before graduation is an internship. The FM Global co-op offers much more than a traditional internship, which makes it that much more beneficial.
“Students quickly assume many of the same responsibilities that regular employees are expected to perform,” she says. “When it comes to finding a job, students with these kinds of experiences are more attractive candidates and often are the first ones to secure an offer for a full-time position.”
The FM Global co-op program gives Bryant students a chance to apply what they learn in the classroom in a real world setting.
The co-op helps students understand how IT is integrated in the company, learn how groups collaborate, and experience what it is like to work in a corporate environment. “After students complete the co-op, they show a renewed interest and dedication in their technology studies,” says Prichard.
Lisa Provost ’86, a claims system manager at FM Global, will be on campus next week to interview students interested in the co-op program. She says the relationship is beneficial for students, as well as the company.
“The co-op program offers an enriched learning experience for students and an avenue to develop new professional relationships and contacts,” says Provost. “It is also an opportunity for FM Global to bring in highly motivated individuals with new and fresh ideas.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Students interested in learning more about the FM Global co-op program should contact Janet Prichard.
