Computer Science

(From Eagle Drive magazine, December 2023) 
 
The “classroom” of some Tennessee Tech computer science students houses the world’s fastest supercomputer. Other learning environments – some close to campus, others farther away – offer a host of other distinctive features and avenues for students to gain skills, build knowledge and connect with industry leaders and mentors.  
 
Experiential learning opportunities through internships and cooperative education can be a highlight in many students’ academic careers. The journey may begin at one of the numerous career fairs offered at Tech – at least one per semester – where students can meet hundreds of employers looking to fill internship and co-op positions. According to the university’s Center for Career Development, more computer science students attended the fall 2023 Employer Expo than any other major.  
 
Whether students travel for a co-op or internship experience or log in to work remotely, all of them bring something valuable back to Tech – and to their future employers. 
 
Bethanie Williams: 
Sandia National Laboratories and CyManll 
 
Ph.D. candidate Bethanie Williams completed her third summer internship with Sandia National Laboratories (working remotely for the Albuquerque, N.M., location) and the Center for Cyber Defenders program. She also worked with CyManll | Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute.  
 
“These past three years have taught me so much, especially in regard to cybersecurity, smart manufacturing and other cyber-physical systems,” she said. “Being a part of the CCD program has been both challenging and rewarding. At CyManll, I learned more about digital twins in manufacturing environments and utilized various machine learning techniques. I also worked on a project that focused on cyber resilience analysis in industrial control systems, which allowed me to learn more about SCEPTRE’s emulation platform and how to develop surrogate models.”  
 
Williams said being an intern has allowed her to grow as a professional in the field of cybersecurity with a focus of securing critical infrastructures, such as smart manufacturing.  
 
I am so grateful for all my mentors, co-workers and managers who have given me the opportunity to develop new skills and who have pushed me to be the best I can be,” she said. 
 
Logan Bolton: 
Adtran 
 
Logan Bolton, a junior, completed a spring semester co-op with Adtran, a fiber networking and telecommunications company in Huntsville, Ala. 
 
“Adtran is a worldwide internet distribution company,” he said. “Most of my work there involved distribution on a neighborhood level. The idea is that there is a neighborhood, and everyone needs Wi-Fi. Adtran manufactures the box that takes the input signal and splits it between 50 or so homes. I was on the team writing the firmware for that box. Overall, it was a fantastic learning experience and a great opportunity to work with some truly wonderful people.” 
 
Sara Owens: 
Naval Surface Warfare Center 
 
As a junior, Sara Owens, completed a summer internship at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Va. 
 
“Internships are such an important part of getting hands-on experience to supplement our education at Tech,” she said. “At the Naval Surface Warfare Center, I worked on software development on Battle Management Systems supporting the AC-130 and learned so much. They have great peer mentorship pipelines set up, so it was a seamless transition for me from school to working there. I was given freedom to struggle through tickets but also the support to know when I could ask for help. I was excited to take my new skills back into the classroom at Tech to be a more effective student.” 
  
Owens said she struggled with imposture syndrome in the beginning. 
 
“It seemed like I had to have help on every single ticket I attempted to work on,” she said. “I mentioned it to one of the more senior employees mentoring me. He assured me most people feel that way starting out and encouraged me that I was there to learn, not be an employee. They don’t expect you to know everything just yet, so ask the questions you want to ask. If they are smart, they will answer happily as your greater understanding of the system makes you more valuable to them as an intern and prospective employee.”