June 29, 2022, Dothan, Alabama – RealTime, LLC is proud to announce the successful launch of the RealTime IT Co-Op Program. RealTime has partnered with Dothan City Schools (DCS) to provide a hands-on learning experience for high school students in their junior/senior year(s) of high school.

 “This Co-Op experience is invaluable to any young person interested in working in the Information Technology field,” said Deidre Frith, Director of Marketing and Culture. “We created this program for high school students who have exhibited qualities that lend themselves to being tech-savvy as well as holding a deeper interest in tech as a potential career. This Co-Op is hands-on for the student but more importantly, connects them with a mentor. Being shown the ropes at such a young age can change the trajectory of their career path.”

 Jayden McCory, an incoming DCS junior and student of Mr. Rodney McCloud, was selected as the first RealTime IT Co-Op student and began working with RealTime on June 14, 2022, in the Field Services Department under Tommy Price, RealTime Field Services Manager.

 “Jayden is doing great,” said Price. “He has had the opportunity to do everything from off-boarding PCs to setting up new PCs, and he has been onsite with our Field Tech, Jared, visiting several clients. I mean, he has gotten exposed to a lot of different things; he learns very quickly and is doing great.”

 During the RealTime IT Co-Op, McCory will learn and develop trade skills focused on IT Field Services and receive extensive on-the-job training while being immersed in the day-to-day operations. McCory has been learning how to coordinate with clients on repairs, set up and install PCs for client deployments, and the process to escalate issues to the necessary department. The exciting aspect of this Co-Op is that McCory is being mentored by an experienced Field Services tech while he conducts client-onsite visits for networking, installations, and other tickets that may be assigned on a normal business day. McCory will continue the RealTime IT Co-Op during the 2022-2023 school year while attending Dothan High School.

STUDENT SELECTION PROCESS
During the 2021-2022 school year, Frith, along with Director of IT Operations, Brian Lapham, visited several different classes at Dothan High School to promote the RealTime Co-Op program thanks to the partnership with Ryan Richards, DCS Central Office Coordinator for Workforce Development. Students were asked to submit a letter explaining their interest in IT as a career. All students who applied were then offered in-person interviews with Lapham. Offering students the opportunity of a physical interview for the position allowed everyone, even those not hired, the opportunity to gain real-life experience from this program. Each student was able to learn what the interview process felt like in a real-world setting. RealTime had five submissions from interested DCS students who were contacted for interviews. Three candidates participated in the interview process and ultimately McCory was selected as the best candidate for the position.  

RealTime plans to continue growing the program and expanding it to other surrounding school systems in the Wiregrass. The RealTime IT High School Co-Op is a valuable learning opportunity as well as a paid, part-time position that begins in the summer and continues through the next school year. If you are interested in having your school participate in the RealTime IT Co-Op program, please contact Deidre Frith at dfrith@realtime-it.com.

ABOUT REALTIME LLC

RealTime LLC provides fully managed Information Technology services for businesses in the Wiregrass area and beyond that include business continuity and disaster recovery planning, cyber security protection, HIPAA compliance, threat prevention, private cloud backup, and more. RealTime has been providing elite IT managed services to the Wiregrass area since 2000. For more information about RealTime IT, visit www.realtime-it.com.

RealTime LLC also provides Revenue Cycle Management for a broad range of specialties in the medical field including Hematology, Oncology, Chemotherapy, Mental Health, Hospitalist, OB/GYN, Ophthalmology, Optometry, Family Care, Pain Management, Pediatrics, Rheumatology, Internal Medicine, Wound Care, Chiropractic, Cardiology, Aviation Medicine, Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery, Allergy Medicine, Dental, Reference Lab, Speech, Physical Therapy, General Surgery, Outpatient Surgery, Neuro Surgery, and Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. For more information about RealTime RCM, visit www.realtime-medical.com

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