Nathan Lanier: A Word from an MKC Summer Intern

By Nathan Lanier, MKC IT intern

For most of my life I’ve never been too far away from MKC, So when I was looking into internships I thought why not look into a company I’m familiar with. I’m Nathaniel Lanier and have the opportunity to work for MKC as the Information Technology intern this summer.

I grew up in Walton, Kan., just a few miles east of the MKC elevator. I will be starting my fourth year at Fort Hays State University this fall and am majoring in information technology and telecommunications. I love everything in information technology, including broadcasting, basic user support and network architecture. I’m currently pursuing certifications in information security, video production, network routing and switching. I currently have a certification in audio production.

Outside of basic user support and new device setup, my daily tasks are more project based. For instance, I am currently working on deploying the anti-virus software update as we move to the cloud for management, allowing MKC to open up server rack space. Also, I am helping Bill Sroufe, user/computer support specialist for MKC, initialize scales for harvest. This consists of making sure each scale gets the correct database update and has a connection to the TMA office. We also assure the printers are correctly set up. A task I worked on last week was punching down Ethernet jacks in the new offices at Moundridge. 

Another task is visiting locations to service and update specific technology. My first location call was at Lindsborg where their UPS (un-interruptible power supply) was dead and they had an issue with a phone after a company-wide phone update. Some upcoming projects consist of helping with the 50^th Annual Stockholders’ Meeting and the migration from Office 2013 to Office 365. I will also be going to the Burns location soon to help rewire the network after their office renovation is complete.

I’m already enjoying everything I’ve been doing even if it doesn’t always work. I’m getting the experience I wanted and the opportunity to work with things you normally wouldn’t at school. I like being able to observe new technologies in my work. My department is really involved and dedicated, but they also like to have fun when they work. I look forward to being more involved in supporting the company throughout the summer, and I appreciate the opportunity to get the experience that I want and need to further my education and future career.

Sincerely,

Nathan Lanier