Students appreciate HCTC technology job training

Shane Hicks believes his future is bright thanks to his HCTC training. HCTC has better prepared me for my future in the career of my choice and my instructors have helped me to understand all the topics and content necessary for me to achieve, Hicks said, noting he has passed the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). The CCNA user validates the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size route and switched networks, including implementation and verification of connections to remote sites. CCNA curriculum includes basic mitigation of security threats, introduction to wireless networking concepts and terminology, and performance-based skills. The things I have learned from my HCTC teachers will also be pivotal in my future endeavors to acquire more networking and technology related certifications and degrees.

Sykes, who employs Hicks because of his technology expertise, encouraged him to enroll. Sykes volunteered to pay for the tuition of our classes so we could work towards becoming Cisco certified and so that we could improve at our current job and better ourselves for our future in IT amp; Networking careers. Sykes' involvement was a big part of my desire to take the courses I did and I admit that without the support of Chris Melton, our site director, and Sykes as a whole I probably would not have taken them, Hicks said.

Hicks started at Sykes as a Provisioning Technical Engineer and worked his way up to a promotion to a Subject Matter Expert (SME) position where he now works in process support.

I would definitely recommend HCTC to anyone who is looking to go into any career field and needs somewhere to start. HCTC is definitely the best place I can think of for anyone to start studies for any career, no matter their financial/social standing whether they have a job currently or not, Hicks said.

Hicks appreciates faculty members Jeremiah Bryant and Roland Brown. I am very honored to have had Jeremiah Bryant and Roland Brown as my instructors. I had Jeremiah once before and was very familiar with him and his style of teaching. Roland was new to me but did not disappoint and in fact he met all the expectations I had for anyone as an instructor. They are both very knowledgeable and definitely two of my favorite teachers ever.

As for the teaching style, the two balance each other out very well. Jeremiah presents things in a very straightforward, fast-paced, active manner. Roland presents things in the same way but from a different vantage point and arrives at answers through similar, but different processes which is really important to students. Not everyone learns or comprehends things the same way, so it is very good that we have two instructors who can teach us the same things using different processes and methods. The classroom environment is very comfortable and easy for anyone to adapt to no matter what your learning style is, Hicks said.

Roland Brown said there are really good jobs for those who complete the technology training at HCTC. The same work can be done here as in Silicon Valley. We can compete for the same jobs.

This program appeals to those interested in how networking and the Internet works, and those with an analytical mind, noted Brown. Students ranging in age from 18 to 50 are enrolled this semester. I m seeing those enroll who want job training and those who want an associate degree.

The field is infinite for those who want jobs in network administration, help desk troubleshooting, network engineer. Great training is offered by HCTC and we hope to see more enroll.

HCTC training helped qualify Brown to teach. Brown took classes at HCTC via an agreement with ARH. The training encouraged Roland to study and pass the CCNA exam. The CCNA Security exam is more focused on securing networks from internal and external network attacks. When the CCNA Security exam is passed the candidate is also granted 4011 Recognition which is a special status conferred jointly by the National Security Agency and The Committee on National Security Systems, Brown said. These bodies are recognized as the premier authority on Information Security and Assurance. Without the training I received from HCTC I would not be in a position to teach these students today, Brown said.

Those interested in one course or a technology degree can contact Jeremiah.Bryant@kctcs.edu for more information at 606-497-3548.

Any company wanting training for networking or other IT skills can contact Jennifer.Lindon@kctcs.edu for scheduling. Training is geared for each company as needed.