DePauw Programs of Distinction for Selected Students
The Information Technology Associates Program (ITAP) allows students to learn, use and create the latest information technologies at DePauw. The program includes students from a range of majors interested in learning more about contemporary technologies. They bring their unique perspectives to leadership roles, developing a community of learning and keen analytical and communication skills.
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R.J. Talyor '02 and Allison Clem '06, Exact Target
R.J. and Allison came in from Exact Target to talk about some of the challenges of entering the real world after college, or even with an internship. One of the largest challenges is crossing the generation gap and working with a generation very different from our own. From the generation of our parents to ours many changes have been made, crossing the entire workplace, from clothing simply to the style of how people work. Making that crossover and becoming accustomed to a new workplace is very important. To help in this, R.J. and Allison gave five main tips. Their first was to work hard and make sure that you are not slacking off. This is a main step to proving yourself as it is then obvious you fit in the real world. Secondly, be realistic. Setting goals for yourself is good, but only if they are possible. When you do set goals, work hard to get to them. Thirdly, they recommended seeking feedback. Finding out what you are doing right, and what you are doing wrong, is very important to being able to continue to contribute. Not quite last, they stressed the importance of knowing the line. Not crossing the line in dress, behavior, and other places where people might feel differently around the office is very important. By knowing the line, you can be sure not to offend anyone in the office. Finally, they suggested embracing internships. This is the best way to see what real life is like. It also is a way to make connections for the future. These are the things that two people who have both recently entered the real world had for how to prepare for the future
Drew Donovan is an ITAP Associate from Cincinnati, Ohio. As part of his Kinesiology major, he is a student coach for both DePauw's baseball and football teams. He's a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and sits on the Social Programming Task Force for the University. Joining ITAP was an opportunity to gain technological skills that would help him advance in today's technologically driven society. "I think technology through a computer is the fastest growing tool in our society. Being in the business world, or even with coaching, using that technology to be able to make things more accessible and more understandable is the most important way that society will continue to grow," Drew said. During his first year in the program, he went through rotations covering audio editing, video editing, databases, and web design. He chose an internship for his second year in the program with the University’s web team. As part of his job on the web team, Drew helped make the transition from DePauw’s old template to the new template run smoothly. “Right now we’re busy changing everything over to the new template. I just finished with the International Center’s web site and now I’m picking up the European Studies program,” Drew said. “Basically we’re just transferring everything in the old format into the new template.” In addition to the web design skills that Drew picked up during his time in the program, he’s gained several soft skills that have made his time in the program worth while. “Not only do you get the skills that you’re taught with computers, you get a lot of skills like teamwork, time management, and the whole project planning and development process,” he said. “Not to mention the client interaction you get– which is a big part of the program. It’s more real world learning than sitting in class in a lecture.” Drew, like many other ITAP students, has discovered that a fluency in technology puts him in demand. “In some of my classes, I’ve had just three people turn around and say ‘You’re the ITAP kid, I’m working with you,’” he said. “Knowing how to use computers and what to do, you become a hot commodity in helping other people out.”
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Professional Development Series IT & Society and Leadership Opportunities:
PDS has completed for this year. Watch for the opportunities available for next fall.
"The hands-on technological experience ITAP provides, combined with DePauw's high-quality liberal arts education, gives students a significant edge in today's workforce . ITAP at DePauw provides students with the opportunity to develop their critcal thinking and problem solving skills while working with the latest and most innovative technologies. "
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