Feb 1, 2011
The Ranger Rocket editor sits down for a Q&A
By: Hilary Jasmin
Q:How did you become interested in journalism?
A: While in Great Falls I worked as a staff writer, photographer and editor for the High Plains Warrior. My duties included conducting base tours for the media as well as local and international groups. Our base was the home of the "Ace in the Hole", often referred to by President Kennedy during the nuclear standoff. I was attracted to journalism because it offered me the opportunity to experience all of the career fields in the Air Force. No matter if I was qualified or not, I had the opportunity to experience what each of the men and women did each day and provide a snapshot of their jobs to the general public.
Q: What made you decide to go back to school?
A: I loved my job in the Air Force, plain and simple. I was on the forefront of the action. My last assignment at Columbus Air Force Base, put me in charge of disaster response and I held the title of chief of Media Relations. I had the opportunity to work with senior leadership when responding to aircraft accidents, base mishaps and many more civil matters. I had the opportunity to deploy as the Air Force's sole Public Affairs representative for Hurricane Katrina and got to experience things most people will never see or hear. I want to continue with this public affairs and crisis management line into a career with a larger company in the Mid-South area. More
Technology students improve Hope Ministries’ data systems
Ranger Rocket Staff Report
Students enrolled in the systems analysis and design course in the Computer Information Systems Technology program have been working hard this semester to make Hope Ministries, Inc.’s routine paperwork processes more efficient by updating their forms. The students presented their prototypes on Dec. 6 to members of Hope—a non-profit, non-denominational organization responsible for helping people of Tate County in need of food, clothing or housing since 1982.
Sophomore computer programming major Jerod Smoote of Duck Hill leads a presentation to members of Hope Ministries, Inc. of the new form bank his systems and analysis design class created for them to make their routine paperwork more efficient. (Staff photo)
Through the systems and design course, students study how Information Technology departments work with users to fulfill their unique IT needs. Wanting to give the students a real-world experience, instructor Signy Givens contacted Hope Ministries Director, Betty Brown, to see what IT needs her organization might have.
After meeting with Brown, the class analyzed the organization’s processes and redesigned their form bank to better meet their needs. “We created a CD for them with all of their forms on it, so they can easily reprint what they need,” said Givens. “We even added a logo to give the forms a professional look. We worked out how to make it into a computerized system, but that was beyond the need of what Hope was looking for at the present.”
While the students gained professional experience to add to their resumes, they also provided a valuable service to an organization that could not have afforded to contract the service from IT professionals.
“We all enjoyed working on the project because we knew they needed our help, and it is an organization that we were all impressed with. The students were glad to be helping,” said Givens.
Snowman!
With a thick blanket of snow covering all three Northwest campuses, students rejoiced the news of the college’s closing on Jan. 10 and 11. Michael Jusko (left to right), Sam Garner, and Trey Aglee jumped at the opportunity to build a larger than life snowman.
Snow accumulations totalled four to six inches for DeSoto County, six to then inches for Lafayette County and four to eight inches for Tate County. The Mid-South experienced its second snowfall in less than two weeks on Jan. 20 with accumulations totalling less than two inches. For more pictures, please click here.
(Photo by Will Whaley)
More:
Instructor inducted into Cosmetology Hall of Fame
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