Internship: Two Student’s Experiences

Internships Opened the World

Adam Kutz

CARLISLE, PA
MAJOR: COMPUTER & DIGITAL FORENSICS

“My professors tell me how they utilize the technology we’re studying in their own businesses and how they’ve seen it used in other applications.”

“My three internships cemented what I want to do as a career,” Adam Kutz says. “I hope to get into intelligence work for a federal agency or into computer and digital forensic consulting for a private company. Each of my internships opened opportunities elsewhere. My first helped me earn my second, and my second—at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, the state’s largest health insurance provider—helped me get my third as an Information Security intern at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, part of Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.”

Adam uses the security software Tipping Point to track the activities of external computers attacking the BCBS system. He enters data about the origin and type of attack into a spreadsheet to find commonalities among the incursions and determine which are legitimate threats to the system.

“It’s exciting to deal with what most people don’t know a lot about. It’s a great responsibility. I’m fighting against the bad guys in a virtual way, which is really cool. I enjoy the day-to-day work, and having actual responsibilities.”

Adam applies what he learns in his Computer and Network Security class to what he does on the job. “I hear terms on the job that I’ve already learned in class, so I don’t need training. My professors encourage us to collaborate, which is another skill I use in my workplace,” Adam says. “My professors tell me how they utilize the technology we’re studying in their own businesses and how they’ve seen it used in other applications.” Conversely, he uses what he learns on the job to create class projects.

Adam learned about his internship through Champlain College Career Services. “They helped me with interview techniques and how to write a cover letter,” he says. “A lot of my friends at other schools are envious of what I do. They do a lot of busy work in their internships and are jealous of all the skills I’ve gained. I am definitely better qualified for my field after these internships.”

Internships are really good opportunities

Rob Sheldon

NASHUA, NH
MAJOR: COMPUTER & DIGITAL FORENSICS

Rob Sheldon participated in a summer 2005 internship with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) at its field office in Burlington, Vt. A junior at Champlain, he is majoring in Computer & Digital Forensics and will pursue a career in federal law enforcement.

During his internship, Sheldon observed ATF agents interviewing suspects and witnesses and watched them present cases to federal prosecutors. He also reviewed old case files to familiarize himself with the range of crimes that the office investigates.

"This was a really good opportunity for me," Sheldon said. "I couldn't have asked for a better introduction to federal law enforcement. The agents handle federal crimes related to alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives, and much of what I saw was gun related."

"The ATF Internship is a very rare opportunity for a college student to gain insight not only into federal law enforcement, but also into state and local law enforcement, since we work hand-in-hand," said Darren Gil, resident agent in charge at the Burlington field office. "Rob has proven to be an asset to ATF. Computer knowledge is essential in all law enforcement and its impact on criminal investigations continues to grow. Rob is right on target to grow with it."

"This internship was an excellent opportunity for Rob; the accolades from his supervisor speak volumes about him," said Gary Kessler, Champlain's Computer and Digital Forensics program director. "The Computer and Digital Forensics program was developed with the intention of helping to fill the nation's capacity in this space. Rob is an excellent example of the type of student that we are trying to produce."

Rob is the son of Beth and Donald Sheldon of Nashua, N.H. He's a dean's list student whose recent coursework includes Criminal Investigation, Analysis of Digital Media, Computer Forensics I and II, Data Communications and Business Law.