BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Jack Hendrix, a sophomore in North Florida Technical College’s Computer Systems and Information Technology program, was the runner-up in Information Tech Services at the April 20 SkillsUSA Florida State Leadership and Skills Conference in Jacksonville.
“I didn’t expect to place because the others who competed against me were very talented,” Hendrix said. “I was really surprised when they called me up for second place.”
Hendrix said the part of the competition that catered to his strength was problem solving. He was obviously eager about competing in that part of the event, but he was ready to enjoy the overall experience, saying, “I was really looking forward to putting myself out there and being able to apply my skills in ways that I would experience if I actually had an IT job.”
That is Hendrix’s goal — to get a job working with computers. Though he brought a lot of knowledge with him, Hendrix said the Computer Systems and Information Technology program at NFTC is benefitting him.
“I’ve been around computers pretty much my entire life,” Hendrix said. “I think this class is really good in enabling you to learn more about computers because we can work at our own pace. I’m able to work at the pace I feel is fit for me. That allows you to excel and really learn faster.”
Hendrix said since he’s been in the program, he’s also learned a lot about a computer’s components and how they work together and work with applications.
“I’ve learned a lot about how the entirety of a computer works,” Hendrix said. “A computer is an amazing thing. It has a lot of parts. They all work in harmony.”
To earn the right to compete at the State Leadership and Skills Conference, Hendrix had to place at a SkillsUSA regional-level event. He placed second at the regional level between two other NFTC students: Payton Tillman, who was first, and Shawn Davis.
Tillman placed ninth at the state event. Instructor Jeff Ledger said Davis was still awaiting to hear where he placed.
Ledger said the main benefit students get from competing at SkillsUSA events is confidence.
“Most students coming through here, they go out in the field, and they’re doubtful about what they learned. That’s in any job.
“When (Hendrix) placed second, it did so much for his confidence and what he can do.”
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working to provide the U.S. with a skilled labor force.
