Michael Landes Named Jackson Kelly PLLC Technology Fellow
September 5, 2002
Michael Landes is the current Jackson Kelly PLLC Fellow in the College of Information Technology and Engineering. Michael holds a BA in Social Studies Education and a MA in History both from Marshall. He has been in the IS program at CITE since the Fall of 2000. We were able to catch up with Michael for a brief interview just before he started teaching his class on Visual Basic.
What is the Jackson Kelly PLLC Fellowship?
The Fellowship is funded by the JK Law Firm and is intended to be an
internship
with an area technology-related business. The business hosts the
intern and the law firm pays a stipend to the intern. The intern is expected to
work 15-20 hours a week (I'm working 15). The goal is to encourage new tech grads to stay in the region after they finish
their degree.
For whom are you working?
I am presently working for Strictly Business Computer Systems (
Any specific projects you would like to mention?
Their biggest product is their knowledge management software called Knowledge Dispatch (there's info on it on their website). Basically its' a web-browser based program to help a business distribute documents & files to employees, keep group calendar's and to-do lists current, and just overall manage information within a company or organization.
What is the term of the fellowship?
It is generally for a full semester (roughly 3-4 months)
What is your anticipated outcome?
I expect to get a taste of what >real< software and project development is like and to make important contacts with an area business. A full-time job would be fantastic but that's not a definite event nor should it be expected.
In short, I expect to make some important business contacts, gain another valuable reference, and also learn how the software development and technical support/consultation business actually operates.
So far at Strictly Business I've seen an actual commercial product they sell being developed and I've seen principles of software engineering actually in practice. They have people writing code, working on the documentation, finding bugs all at the same time and each group communicates frequently with the other.
How has your involvement with CITE anticipated the work you are doing?
Well, I worked as a GA for over a year and I'm sure the experience gained from that will help here - I know I understand the ins and outs of Windows 2000 and networking much better than I did before. Maintain a two-machine network at home is a lot different than adding and managing machines on a domain at CITE. Plus at CITE I learned how to interact with people actually using their machines on a network and the various problems that crop up from that - i.e. explaining why Outlook does the things it does and so forth.
How has your work at CITE directly impacted the work you are doing?
Too early to tell, but I did learn HTML fairly well through my work with CITE and that has helped me follow along with what Strictly Business is currently working on. Their knowledge management software is html-based and uses Macromedia's Cold Fusion software to manage the information via links to SQL server and the like.
Are you currently involved with CITE in other activities (teaching, taking classes, etc.)?
I am slowly working on my final project and if I can find time I hope to finish it up and present at the close of this semester. All my other classes have been finished and all that remains is to finish everything off with the final project.
I'm also teaching a Visual Basic .NET class for the Integrated Science and Technology undergraduate program.
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The Technology and Emerging Companies practice group at Jackson & Kelly PLLC developed the criteria for the technology Fellows program. Jackson & Kelly PLLC plans to provide ongoing financial support for future technology fellows. With roots dating back to 1822, Jackson & Kelly PLLC has more than 140 attorneys in offices located throughout West Virginia, and in Lexington (KY), Denver (CO) and Washington (DC). For more information, visit the Firm's Website at http://www.jacksonkelly.com.