NPR's Intern Edition Summer 2004

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Lockheed Martin Hires Reed

July 26, 2004 - Tiffany Reed, a recent graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, will follow her interest in Information Technology to begin work at Lockheed Martin in northern Virginia this fall. Lockheed Martin has hired Reed as a computer operations associate analyst.

"I am very excited about this new phase in my life -- full-time employment!" Reed says. "Lockheed Martin is a great company to work for and has wonderful entry-level opportunities for recent college graduates."

"I want to thank NPR for this wonderful internship opportunity," Reed says. "It has definitely prepared me for the working world, and I feel confident in starting this new journey in life."

Tiffany Reed: Intern, Trainer and Technical Guide

July 21, 2004 - On her first day at NPR, Tiffany Reed was told she would be working on the BlackBerry PDA project. She had no idea that she would become an IT trainer and technical guide to some of NPR's well known voices.

As an a Information Technology intern, Reed participated in a trial of wireless technology that has the potential to improve the productivity and effectiveness of NPR's mobile workforce. For six months, the IT department is conducting a trail using BlackBerry wireless service and handheld devices. Using a BlackBerry personal digital assistant, participants are able to access corporate e-mail, contact information, calendar information, and browse the Internet all while away from their office.

Reed conducted two BlackBerry (wireless handheld) start-up training sessions for the trial participants. She created a PowerPoint presentation and trained participants that include executives, reporters and staff from news and development. Before training, Reed helped install the BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES). She also installed BlackBerry desktop software on several participants' computers and laptops.

"I even received my own BlackBerry handheld throughout the trial period!" Reed says. "Some participants were remote, so I used NetMeeting and teleconferencing to train as well."

The training consisted of an overview of the functions and capabilities of the BlackBerry handheld. Tiffany gave a detailed presentation on the primary functions the trial participants will be using on their handheld.

A lot of work went into creating her presentation. Reed researched other training materials and presentations, took lots of digital photos of the BlackBerry handheld device's features and components to include in her PowerPoint slides. She also led pre-training session to members of the IT staff including Chief Information Officer, Bob Holstein.

Tiffany also helped to collect documentation, FAQs and "Tips & Tricks" for NPR's intranet site.

"My internship experience in the IT department has been amazing!" Reed says.

"I've learned so much and am very proud that the IT staff has confidence in my abilities to train and perform software installations. This has been the most rewarding internship I have had. I'll never forget it!"

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