Thirteen IT Fellows will graduate on Sunday. What were their most memorable moments working for IT?  How do they see their IT experience in relation to their major or post-grad plans, or even in relation to life's major questions?

Perhaps Sachin Goel put it best when pondering the difference between IT and chocolate: "Chocolate tastes good while it lasts . . .IT is forever."

What were your most memorable experiences working with IT?

Philosophical conversations at the Help Desk concerning the future of technology, which is an elegant way of saying, discussing the latest inventions and innovations in the world of computers. --Jay Ray (Valpo MS IT)

Move in weekends for my sophomore and junior years. --Larry Selvy (Physics grad program)

Getting to know interesting people, both among co-workers and those who come to the Help Desk for assistance. The people who work at the Help Desk are inevitably an interesting bunch--technologically inclined, academically serious, and also a riot to be around. As for the customer side, I always enjoy seeing the relief on somebody's face when we get something working for them. --Gwen Powell (Kansas State University, Cognition and Human Factors Ph.D.) 

We get to help people out around the campus with their most difficult and easiest of IT requests. It's a big satisfaction. Plus, the Help Desk works like a team, a family and a great institution. --Sachin Goel (Valpo MS IT)

On the odd occasion I've had the opportunity to fix a really tough problem that has been plaguing a customer and when that happens, the feeling of really making that person's day like that has been really satisfying.
Micah Snyder (Software engineering employment)

There was always candy at the desk! The gratification the customer gets when you have fixed their clean access problem. Talking to the cleaning ladies when I worked a shift until midnight. --Corey Peart (Educational Leadership Consultant for Phi Kappa Psi)

I must admit that the people and experience make it all a cherished and memorable experience. The introductory seminar for the year was great, as well as the barbecues and parties organized. I will say, however, that meeting people was the best for me, and I will always remember the people I worked with.--Eric Zaato (Electrical Engineering major)

How has working for IT enhanced your major?

I've done more video production this year than I would have without being a Fellow, since I'm a broadcasting major. Jeremy Wilken  (Praktikant position at Reutlingen University)

I think it had helped a lot being a finance major.  I know just from helping people with problems and talking with colleagues, I learned a great deal about Microsoft Excel, which is generally a qualification for a finance position. It has also enhanced my social skills and the ability to think on your feet. You interact with customers either in person or on the phone, so you really learn a lot from dealing with these customers. --Corey Peart

I'm a computer engineering major. One would think the two [IT] are fairly similar, but to be honest they really aren't. I've enjoyed learning and working with IT though, and I think the skills I've developed here would benefit me no matter what I do in the future. --Jay Ray

As an electrical engineer, I must say the work experience was necessary as it provided a real-time job experience, and it also gave me skills in web design, some programming and the ability to work as a team in a group of people.--Eric Zaato

List four words that give a picture of working with IT.

• Customer Service, Commitment, Responsibility, and Innovation
• Never a dull moment.
• Teamwork, Learning, Experience, Helping
• Cooperation, Teamwork, Innovative, Fun
• Teamwork, Assistance, Learning, Fun

Is working for IT more like Dancing with the Stars, Lost,  American Idol, or . . . .

I would describe IT more like Star Trek. Lots of technology, lots of strange encounters (both with programs and people), and interesting characters. We boldly go where no one has gone before.

I would say that working with IT is more like Dancing with the Stars. In Dancing with the Stars you are taking people who don’t know much about dancing and turning them into good dancers.  With IT, you really don’t have a sense of what you need to know or do when you start, but you work with people who know it all and will teach it to you. Eventually you become very skilled in the position, as do the celebrity dancers.

What's the difference between IT and chocolate or broccoli?

Well, nobody likes broccoli . . .

I would say the difference is that first and foremost broccoli is disgusting; chocolate is really good, but not good for you, and IT is good and it teaches you a lot about technology which is good for you.

It just ain't the same, IT is a way of life, one you can't beat!