SoIC graduate Connor Bryant learned the software development skills he needed to pursue his dream job—thanks to his classes, and an internship and scholarship he landed through the IU School of Informatics and Computing (SoIC) at IUPUI.
Bryant interned at TutorDudes while he was a student, doing everything from full-stack development to working as a Web and social media design/graphic intern. And after graduating this spring with his B.A. in Media Arts and Science, he headed to the West Coast to work as a video game engineering intern at Refactor Games.
“It’s a little bit surreal moving from Indiana to California,” he posted recently online, “and I’m excited to pursue game development.”
Getting real-world experience early
As a student Bryant was selected to receive an RJE Knoll Internship Scholarship, open to SoIC undergraduates who pursue an internship that is not otherwise financially supported.
“I wanted to go into software development,” says Bryant, “either web or game development. And I learned those skills at TutorDudes, a digital learning platform where students and teachers meet for online instruction.
“I learned a lot in the classroom, but it’s helpful to have real-world experience.”
As a TutorDudes intern, he was able to put many of the skills he learned from his SoIC instructors into practice.
“The skill set I used as a full-stack developer included design experience as well as technical know-how,” he says. “I utilized HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in my internship to complete work on the website.”
Getting started early
Bryant’s journey at the School of Informatics and Computing began while he was still in high school.
“I chose to major in Media Arts and Science after attending summer camps in game development and 3D modeling,” he says. “I became enamored of these two things and wanted to learn as much as I could about them.”
Obtaining the internship with TutorDudes fit in with his degree and career plans, Bryant explained.
“I specialized in the game and 3D graphics track for my major” at SoIC, he says, “and I thought the (TutorDudes) internship could possibly lead to a job in the tech industry. So I was very excited, I wanted to learn more about software development through this internship.”
Goals align
Versatility is essential in professional life, as Bryant learned during his internship at TutorDudes. He drew upon different skills sets he acquired at SoIC.
“TutorDudes has a digital learning (SaaS) platform that provides tailored subject tutoring solutions to a student’s learning style.
“I was originally going to be working within the Gaming Division creating educational gaming products,” he explained, “but my role shifted to full-stack web development, and I worked on a web conferencing application.
“This internship (at TutorDudes) helped me with my professional goals of becoming a web or game developer.”
Media Contact
Joanne Lovrinic
jebehele@iu.edu
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