Understanding the Business Side of Information Technology
Devon Harris ’19
Computer Science Major Takes on Corporate Co-Op at Guardian
As a computer science major, Devon Harris ’19 understood that if he wanted to one day work in the corporate world he needed to gain exposure to both the technology and business side of an industry. So he set his sights on an area company where he could learn both facets and forge a valuable partnership along the way.
Landing a co-op position at The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America through 91pornԭ’s Center for Career and Civic Engagement meant several things for Harris, he explains.
“I wanted to work at Guardian for a couple of reasons, firstly because the opportunity to work at a reputable company that is progressing at a highly innovative and professional standard intrigued me. Secondly, the opportunity to be the “ambassador” for the relationship between 91pornԭ and Guardian was a challenge that I really wanted to take on, allowing me to represent the University and make an impression for a potential large partner.”
On the technical side of his role, Harris worked on the development of a new business network system, used internally to help streamline data and technologies into one comprehensive system. He says he learned how his efforts could increase profitability, better engage the sales team with clients, detect and remediate potential fraud, and optimize customer experience with Guardian’s services.
“… the opportunity to be the “ambassador” for the relationship between 91pornԭ and Guardian was a challenge that I really wanted to take on, allowing me to represent the University and make an impression for a potential large partner.” –Devon Harris ’19
Immersing himself in the logistics of running a large corporate IT department—“meetings, planning, precise communications”—Harris says he also gained useful insight on company structure and “the ‘business side’ of IT.”
“Seeing things that were spoken about in the classroom happen in a real-life workplace was invaluable. Oftentimes, things aren’t exactly as they are taught, but to see those distinctions in person was one of the most revealing aspects to an internship,” Harris says.
Right now, future plans for Harris are pretty straightforward: graduate and look for a job in the technology field in the area. “Certainly this experience has given me more to think about as far as the path I want to take moving forward with my career,” Harris reflects. “Whether that is more toward the work I was doing or further away, it gave me a new perspective and it was invaluable as I try to plan for my future, post-college.”