For many students, an internship is a first step. At South Piedmont Community College, it can be the beginning of a career.
Junior Cyber Analyst Reese Milhone didn’t always know IT was the right path. After exploring pre-engineering, chemistry, and mathematics, it wasn’t until taking coding courses—and later completing an internship with South Piedmont’s IT department—that everything clicked.
“I didn’t love software engineering, so I started looking into computer science more broadly,” Reese said. “That internship really showed me what I wanted to do.”
What started as a summer internship with South Piedmont quickly turned into something more. While still in school, Reese was invited to continue working part-time in the College’s IT department and has since transitioned into a full-time role as Junior Cyber Analyst.
Now, Reese thrives in a fast-paced, hands-on environment where learning never stops.
“It’s a lot of quick learning on your feet, and everybody helps everyone,” Reese said. “People go out of their way to support each other, even if it’s not in their job description. Because of that, I’ve been able to learn so much more, so much faster.”
One of Reese’s proudest moments has been mentoring new interns and passing along knowledge to the next group of students entering the field.
“We’re always told, ‘Never gatekeep information,’ and that really sticks with me,” Reese said.
That same spirit of growth and support is something Information Technology Services Specialist Quinchaz Williams knows well.
Quinchaz’s journey began as a student at South Piedmont before becoming an IT intern. That experience opened doors and helped him build the skills needed to land a full-time role at the College.
Today, Quinchaz enjoys not only supporting students and working alongside his colleagues but also mentoring interns in the Technology Commons—just as others once did for him.
“It’s really a full circle moment,” he said.
Both Reese and Quinchaz emphasize the value of taking advantage of internship opportunities. For students considering a career in IT, their advice is simple: go for it.
“Don’t be afraid—you’ll get out of it what you put into it,” Reese said. “Everyone here wants to help you succeed.”
Quinchaz agrees, noting that the experience extends far beyond campus.
“Any student who takes advantage of the internship here at South Piedmont will have a bright future,” he said. “I’ve seen firsthand students grow, gain skills and certifications, and leave with so many opportunities ahead of them.”
At South Piedmont, internships aren’t just about gaining experience—they’re about building confidence, developing skills, and opening doors to the future.
For IT internship inquiries please visit https://spcc.edu/student-life-resources/technology-commons/
For any additional questions reach out to Student Technology Services Manager Amanda Winfrey at awinfrey@spcc.edu.