Students Talk About 2008 Information Technology Career Expo

The following comments are from students who attended the Information Technology Career Expo that was held at the Mid America Center in Council Bluffs, IA on November 11, 2008.

Click here to see student evaluation results for this expo.

Here's what some of the participating students had to say about their experiences at the 2008 Information Technology Career Expo:

Katie - Shenandoah "I loved having employees from Google and the Geek Squad come and talk to us. I liked that everyone tried to involve us in some way and that everyone captured our attention, which is hard to do with a room full of teenagers that like to talk a lot. I liked how we had the chance during our breaks to talk to different people about their jobs and the different colleges that offer training in technology fields."

Curtis - Fremont-Mills "This experience was great. I participated in last years IT Expo and did a virtual job shadow with Google in Shennandoah, IA. I learned more about Google and DARMEDIA."

Jacob - Riverside "I thought that this expo showed me what I need to do and how far of education I will need to pursue my life in IT. It showed some of the schools to go to that support IT and some jobs that are in the category of IT."

Barry - Abraham Lincoln "I participated in the mock job interview and thought that it was a good experience."

Luke - Glenwood "I valued it highly because it helped me get ideas of what to do after high school."

Katie - Shenandoah "This experience was very valuable. I learned more about the Geek Squad, for example, how they got started, the first geek mobile was a bicycle, and that their motto is Nerds drool, Geeks rule. I thought that was funny. I didn't know that Google had a building in Council Bluffs. I always wanted to explore a Google building. I learned that they have a bunch of different job titles. I learned that Best Buy and the Geek Squad adopted each other. Overall, I just simply wasn't aware of how much technology rules the world."

Cody - Glenwood "The IT Expo was helpful in finding career info in technology around me that are uncostly and still good programs."

Andrew - Glenwood "I learned about jobs in the IT field. Including jobs at Google and Geek Squad. I also learned a lot about colleges that offer IT careers."

Zachary - Abraham Lincoln "This helped show me different career choices in the field I am interested in at the minute."

Christopher - Shenandoah "I think that this has a pretty big value to me. I absolutely love technology, and this I.T. Expo has expanded my horizons on businesses that range from working for a company that has home service (Geek Squad), to a company that has major data bases all over the world (Google). I learned where Geek Squad originated, and what their first mobile was; I also learned that you can start working for them at age 16. I have learned about the other colleges such as Iowa Western Community College; another college that has classes such as video game designing."

Matthew - Abraham Lincoln "Well, it was very helpful for me. For one, I knew what type of job I wanted, I just didn't really know that jobs were out there. I've learned that information technology is the future of jobs and I would really like to get into it. Some jobs I've learned about from the IT Expo are Google and the Geek Squad. These two are the ones I tried to pay attention to the most. I like the relaxing atmosphere of Google, and how important the job really is. Also now that they have a Data Center in Council Bluffs, I can get a good job, and still live in my home town! Geek Squad, all though it doesn't look as good. I think it would be a great job. I've learned a lot about the major nearby colleges. I really don't think I'll be going to college with them though."

Cody - Glenwood "This expo helped me in many ways. It showed me all types of job opportunities of Information Technology. The Speakers were very interesting and told us the basics and advance of jobs."

Michael - Glenwood "It was good to see how businesses incorporate IT into their businesses and also the different possibilities for study in different schools."

David - Glenwood "The expo was extremely helpful in displaying real-world jobs dealing with IT, which is sometimes hard to get a grasp on within the classroom. "

Tyler - Shenandoah "I think that this expo was very good. I think that I learned about what I need to do to continue in a career in technology. I also think I got to meet some fun people who could help me later."

Sam - Abraham Lincoln "It is very valuable to students who aren't sure about their career or if they aren't sure if they know where to go in IT."

Ally - Tri-Center "I thought the mock job interview was extremely helpful. I had a lot of fun doing it."

Laura - Shenandoah "Overall, the speakers were very good and very helpful, short, sweet and straight to the topic. The space was good and easy to get to."

Kristin - Shenandoah "I think that the IT Expo provided great information about technology courses and jobs for the future. I however, was interested in learning about other fields that didn't necessarily inquire learning about technology. I don't think the Career Expo gave enough information about other careers."

Tym - Fremont-Mills "I learned that if you want to make it in this advancing business you have to take risks to get rewards and it all starts with your education and foundation. "

Taylor - Glenwood "That having a job in IT intel is very important and big corporations like Google have various jobs that vary from being very smart to having just one degree in college. "

Michael - Griswold "The value I got out of my experience was a huge one. At the expo I learned more about the careers and also learned about some new careers including a couple that I was really interested in for some reason. It also inspired me to take some of the things I learned at the expo, and bring them back as possible ideas to try at my school."

Devin - Tri-Center "I really enjoyed the IT Expo. It gave me a new view on some topics including education and also brought back my passion for the computer/technology industry."

Andrew - Abraham Lincoln "At the Expo I enjoyed learning what different types of careers have to offer. "

William - Abraham Lincoln "This really helped me learn what I need to do, besides sitting in my room, taking notes and writing PHP/JSP. It also helped me find out where to sign up for college/scholarships."

Ashley - Shenandoah "I valued the expo because even though I am not that good at technology, I learned that it is our future, and I want to be a part of that and all the advances that can be made. "

Shay - Griswold "I learned quite a bit about some stuff but it didn't learn as much this year as I did the previous year. I learned a little bit about Google and more importantly about Android and the G1."

Darrin - Griswold "I learned about the other colleges that offer IT degrees. I learned a lot more of the world of technology."

Stephanie - Thomas Jefferson "The IT Expo experience was very valuable to me and opened my eyes to see what there actually was out there in the real world for us. Many jobs are available to us."

Makayla - Thomas Jefferson "I think the expo was a lot of fun and it helped me find out more about Information Technology, and it helped me figure out if I would want to pursue a career in IT. The expo also made me realize how many jobs there actually are out there that have something to do with IT, and how many college's offer IT programs."

Nicholas - AHST "The IT Expo was a valuable experience to me because it showed me real careers in IT that were realistic options for my future."

Andrew - Thomas Jefferson "I did very much enjoy the Expo it gave me some insight that will be helpful for me later on in my life when it comes to choosing a job and a career path for myself. "

Joel - Griswold "I learned that IT is a rapidly expanding career area."

Annaleah - Glenwood "I learned that it is stimulating to be around people who are excited about their jobs and about learning more."

Nick - Glenwood "I learned that a lot of things are involved in getting the job you want."

Jordan - Glenwood "I learned about what types of colleges offer what and people in the tech work force do and the work environment."

Jacob - Riverside "What I liked best was Google telling us about what the did to get to that job and all they had to go to and how the work community is at Google."

Chris - Thomas Jefferson "I like when "Google" spoke and the overall help an information they gave us."

Luke - Glenwood "The thing I liked the most about the IT expo is that everyone was so friendly and open to me."

Roman - Glenwood "Geek Squad's video was impressive to me, and I enjoyed the Google people."

Zachary - Abraham Lincoln "I enjoyed listening to the different people talk about the possible jobs."

Christopher - Shenandoah "I liked learning about Geek Squad, I like that kind of technological stuff. I also took interest in the field of work that Google does."

Cody - Glenwood "I liked how each speaker had their own personality on their presentation. They each had a special way to capture my attention and make me interested in the college and job paths that they offer."

Michael - Glenwood "The guys from Google were pretty sweet. Free stuff is always nice, but overall I liked how it really never got boring."

Ryan - Riverside "It was nice to get out and listen to the many businesses who use IT and how they use it for their careers. Not to mention getting out of school."

Tyler - Shenandoah "I think the thing that I liked most was being able to talk to the guys from Google."

Sam - Abraham Lincoln "The guests for all the companies because they showed what real life experience in IT could do for you."

Ally - Tri-Center "Winning the 20 dollar gift certificate for just participating in the mock interview."

Laura - Shenandoah "The fact that you get in contact with people in a IT career or college. Also giving time to talk to them really helps students."

Kristin - Shenandoah "I liked the question and answer part. I think that getting the audience involved brought enthusiasm among the day."

Tym - Fremont-Mills "I liked seeing some of the technology we have available today and how we can use it to its utmost potential."

Michael - Griswold "I liked hearing about the businesses. At school, we get a bunch of info about colleges and what we need to consider, but we don't get a whole lot of businesses to come talk to us. Sometimes the business people say different things then the college people."

Devin - Tri-Center "I like the major corporation visits from Best Buy, Geek Squad, and Google along with the Mock Job Interview which was a very helpful activity."

Andrew - Abraham Lincoln "I loved the prizes and how they encouraged the audience to get involved."

Ashley - Shenandoah "I liked the different speakers that all had different paths, and experiences leading them to their job decision now. "

Darrin - Griswold "The IT Expo was great this year!!! I think it was a great idea to have it at the MAC. There was more room to move around. I liked the web cam videos. A HUGE Thank You goes out to Darwin and the others who help put this thing together! It was AWESOME!! I wish I could come back again and again!!! "

Stephanie - Thomas Jefferson "I liked the fact that there was so many speakers that gave us various different options on where we wanted to go to get an education. "

Makayla - Thomas Jefferson "Meeting with people from different companies and colleges."

Nicholas - AHST "I personally thought that the representatives from Google were the best part of the IT Expo."

Andrew - Thomas Jefferson "I liked that it was really a good experience and insight towards some of the jobs that are available to me and some of the options I have. "

Annaleah - Glenwood "The Google guys were the ones I liked the most because they were the most accessible to our questions and comments. "