Alex Nye

It is hard to put in words all that I have gained from my time co-oping at INPO. The first hint that I would enjoy this job came when I interviewed with my supervisor. I found out that I would not only develop my technical abilities and communication skills, but also get the chance to work with an amazing group of people. The individuals that I worked with truly made this job worth waking up for every day. From this job, I have gained many new professional relationships that I can use in my career, but more importantly many new friendships that will stay with me long after I finish the co-op program and graduate from college. I believe that the most important skill this job has helped me to develop is leadership. I was given the opportunity to be the help desk team leader for two semesters, which I enjoyed immensely. Taking on projects such as companywide hardware and software upgrades, help desk ticket trending and analysis, and building strong relationships with other co-ops allowed me to gain invaluable knowledge on how to be a leader. Even though I was not a full time employee, my input on projects was always considered and many times implemented. I also had the chance to work closely with my supervisor, and other IT professionals in the department. There is no better way to develop your own skills than to learn from the best, which I am thankful for every day. Most co-ops in technical support are given the chance to be a team leader, and I highly recommend the experience as it will force you to step outside of your comfort zone and discover skills that you did not even know you possessed. I strongly encourage anyone interested in co-oping to consider INPO, because you will come out of it prepared to take on anything. There are many opportunities to succeed in this program, and the environment here is setup for you to thrive no matter what your previous experiences are. I could not imagine a better co-op experience, and I am thankful that I had the opportunity to be a part of INPO.