Polk State Network Systems student gains hands-on experience with Inland Fiber

For Shaquita Wright, technology has always been an interest. Thanks to Polk State College and a recent internship with Inland Fiber, that interest has formed into a rewarding career opportunity.

Set to graduate in May with her Polk State Associate in Science in Network Systems Engineering Technology, Wright began an internship with Winter Haven-based Inland Fiber in December. Through her internship, Wright has learned to migrate technical systems, terminate Ethernet ports, punch patch panels, and set up extended networks.

“I’ve loved Inland Fiber,” Wright said. “I’m hoping to plant roots here and grow even more. I love the people and the family environment here. They’re continuously teaching us new things.”

“At Inland Fiber, our primary goal is to strengthen the local community by developing and employing technical talent right here at home,” explained Coleman Cavanah, Service Delivery Manager for Inland Fiber. “This initiative not only supports the growth and development of local professionals but also ensures that our community benefits from the skills and expertise of its own members. By investing in local talent, we are building a stronger, more sustainable future for everyone involved.”

A native of South Florida, Wright graduated high school in 2011. She originally enrolled in the criminal justice program at Broward College. But when she was pregnant with her oldest of four children, she left school. She relocated to Polk County in 2016.

“I had family in the area,” Wright explained. “My mom has always been a big help to me. I felt called to Winter Haven.”

For friends and family, Wright had been the go-to when it came to technical issues with their devices – whether that was repairing a broken screen or troubleshooting through software snags. Wright sought a short program where she could earn a certification to work in the technology field. That’s when a friend, Polk State Senior Student Success Advisor Felicia Zimmerman, told her about the Network Systems Engineering Technology Program for which she could also earn a college degree.

“I always wanted to learn the software aspect of (devices),” Wright recalled. “I originally was looking for something shorter. I reached out to Felicia and explained what I wanted to do. She told me about this program that was a little broader.”

Wright enrolled at Polk State for the Fall 2023 Semester. A mother of four children – sons named Messiah, 12, and Hezekiah, 6, and daughters named Faith, 11, and Empress, 10 – Wright has taken advantage of the flexibility offered by the College, taking both online and eight-week courses in addition to traditional in-person, 16-week classes.

“I’ve had no complaints about Polk State,” she noted. “From needing direction in picking a program to needing additional help from the professors, Polk State has been there for me every step of the way. Everyone is so patient and understanding. There are a lot of reasons I would recommend Polk State.”

While Wright knew her passion was technology, the program at Polk State has helped her learn what options are available to her. The faculty and staff have been supportive and encouraged her to get involved.

“I’ve always liked technology, but the classes have made me like it even more,” Wright added. “You don’t know what you really like until you’re involved and working on it. Felicia Zimmerman has been amazing – phone calls, anything I need. Freddie Acevedo has been a great professor. He’s always encouraging. I’ve since joined the Cyber Club.”

Wright feels blessed by the support she’s had from the College, but the support doesn’t stop when she goes home. With their mother taking classes, her children have done what they can to relieve stress.

“My kids have been a huge inspiration for me to go back to school and they’ve been a big help,” Wright explained. “They’ve helped around the house more. The little things have made a big difference. We compare grades and when we all get good grades, we go out and celebrate with ice cream.”

After working with Thrive, a managed service provider, as part of its state, location, and education team, Wright has had her victories with Inland Fiber. She was previously able to diagnose issues with the computer room air conditioning (CRAC) system. For an upcoming project, she’ll be tasked with migrating data from one server to another using a virtual system.

“Since joining us in December, Shaquita has proven to be a great addition to the Inland Fiber team,” Cavanah added. “She brings excellent training and experience in technical hardware support, along with a strong desire to learn and grow. Her adaptability, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail have quickly made her a valuable asset. As Inland Fiber continues to make strategic investments in private cloud infrastructure, Shaquita will play a key role in leading the support team through the installation and configuration of this project.”

When it comes to getting good grades, Wright has done her part. She currently holds a 3.23 grade-point average. Although Wright has learned a lot through the Network Systems Engineering Technology Program, Polk State’s Internship Program has allowed her the opportunity to learn by doing. More information about the Internship Program can be found here or by contacting Yvonne Velez, Director of Internships and Experiential Learning, at yvelez@polk.edu.

“With FASTRACK (eight-week) courses, things can sometimes go really quick, but I want to learn everything there is to learn little by little,” she said. “To study something is one thing, but I’m a hands-on learner. Inland Fiber slowly but surely is preparing me for a career in this field.”