CRaN program leads to experience and internships

For seniors Tyler Alexander and Mark Sokol, classes in the Computer Repair and Networking (CRaN) program at Washington County Technical High School have led to internships and experience for the future.

Alexander obtained a cyber security internship at Ongoing Operations on Showalter Road near Hagerstown Regional Airport. The company offers advanced technical expertise and guidance to credit unions, according to its website.

Sokol’s cyber security internship at the C&O Canal National Historical Park required him to obtain a security clearance. As a result, he might have the opportunity to help install hardware at Camp David and Site R, CRaN teacher David Long wrote in an e-mail.

In addition, Sokol has received a $60,000 scholarship to Stevenson University to study Forensic Networking.
The CRaN program teaches computer technology skills including Cisco networking, IT Essentials for PC repair and network cabling, among other things.
 
The program has a different focus in each of four semesters.
The fall semester of junior year students learn computer repair, then have Cisco Networking Academy in the spring.

“Our Cisco Academy curriculum has allowed us to study Cyber Security for the first time this year,” Long wrote in an e-mail.

Seniors learn about cyber security during the fall semester, then do internships and/or attend Hagerstown Community College during their final semester.

— Janet Heim