Technology Camp Aims to Attract District 5 Students to the Field

From his office at Microsoft in Seattle, Wash., Dutch Fork Class of 2007 Graduate Brett Harris knows he has a dream job – one that may have never been had he not been introduced to the IT field through a mentorship and classes at his alma mater a few years ago.

“My teachers at Dutch Fork High School taught me the beginnings of IT and from there I developed an interest in it,” said Harris, who works as an international tester for Windows. “I’ve very happy I chose the field and I’d encourage other students to follow their passions if they’re interested in IT.”

Harris is part of a group of IT professionals partnering with Lexington-Richland School District Five to hold an IT Camp for 8th and 9th grade students on Saturday, Oct. 12. Held at Dutch Fork High School, the camp will included hands-on experiences and workshops by officials in the IT field. Presenters and sponsors for the event include the University of South Carolina, SCANA, IT-oLogy and other businesses. Parents are encouraged to attend a parent session as part of the camp. Nearly 40 students have registered for the event.

Gail Gallman, event organizer and Dutch Fork High business education teacher, said the event is aimed at getting more students interested in information technology.

“We want students to know that the IT field is very diverse, lucrative and in need of skilled workers now and well into the future,” she said. “It’s a matter of exposing our students to what’s available and IT, which includes everything from computers to music, is a career option that we want our students to explore.”

Charles Bet, a mainframe operator for SCANA, says many of tomorrow’s jobs will involve some degree of basic computer knowledge. 

“Whether or not they’re going into the field, basic knowledge of computers and IT is an important workable skill for students to have. What we’re trying to do here with the camp is to integrate IT curriculum introduction to these young people and give them an idea, hands-on, of what IT is like. And we also want to bring the parents in to give them a morning workshop as well. We know that if the parents are interested they will keep their children motivated to pursues or consider a career in the field.”

During the event Harris will talk to the students about working for Microsoft and the educational path that provided him with the opportunity to work at the software company. He says he wants students to know that a career in IT is attainable.

“I think the misconception is that it’s too difficult to get involved in IT,” said Harris, who will present via Skype at the District Five IT Camp. “They may not think that they’re smart enough but those are all negative thoughts. It’s a learned skill, just like anything else.”