By Megan Driscoll
 |
Study.com: Where are you from, what is your current class year and how did you decide to study at Florida State University?
Thomas Turner: I'm from Houston, Texas and I'm in the class of 2011. My sister went to FSU, so I decided to follow in her footsteps.
Study.com: How did you become interested in information technology? Did you know you wanted to major in this field when you started at FSU? If not, what led you to the IT program?
TT: I was involved in IT long before even thinking about what university I wanted to attend. I've been in the field for about seven years now and wouldn't leave it for anything.
My interest started in high school. When I played video games at LAN parties I would set up the server required to run the resources for the parties. That led to me learning more about Microsoft Windows Server and network administration, which drove me to the IT major at FSU.
Study.com: FSU allows IT students to customize their studies by focusing on electives in a particular area. What is your area of specialty and why did you choose that subject?
TT: I love helping people and teaching server administration, so when it came down to picking what path I was going to take in my major it was a no brainer. Through the FSU IT practicum, Project Sparta, we help nonprofits and charities all over Tallahassee. This gives FSU students on the job training in a safe environment where Melissa Raulston and I can keep an eye on their work and the environment in which they're working. It's almost like a peer internship, students can crash server and networks all day and we're right there to help clean up and provide training to avoid the same problems in the future.
Study.com: What is your favorite course in IT at FSU?
TT: The IT practicum because students get on the job training while helping Tallahassee at the same time.
Study.com: What are your plans for after graduation? If you're considering graduate study, what are your top choice schools/programs?
TT: I would like to keep working for the college after I graduate. Also, sometime next year I hope to start the master's program in management information systems (MIS).
Study.com: If you could have any IT job in the world, what would it be?
TT: Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy for the White House.
Study.com: What advice would you give to a student who is considering majoring in IT at FSU?
TT: Just go to class and join Project Sparta. If you do that you'll pass with higher grades and have experience to put on your resume before you graduate.
