MY GTCC STORY: NICK DASNOIT
GTCC Student Finds Opportunity, Employment Through Local Program
Written by: By Aleasha Vuncannon, Reuben Rink Marketing & Advertising
Photo credit: Carrie Lilly
Nick Dasnoit, an Opportunity Greensboro Fellows alum, graduated from GTCC in May 2017 with an Associate’s Degree in Information Technology and is employed with Greensboro-based Triad Tech Services.
Nick Dasnoit (’17) knew he wanted to major in Information Technology. It appealed to him as a stable and growing industry.
“I had always been interested in technology in some form, even in my previous line of work,” said Dasnoit.
He also knew he wanted to pursue his degree at Guilford Technical Community College.
“I had taken classes at GTCC previously and was familiar with the college already. I liked the atmosphere, and it was more affordable,” he said. “I feel like the education is on par with a four-year university.”
While Nick was completing his final year at GTCC, he met Beth Mannella, program director for the Opportunity Greensboro Fellows Program.
The Opportunity Greensboro Fellows Program offers high-quality, paid internship opportunities to local college students. The students spend a summer gaining industry experience, exploring the city of Greensboro and participating in professional development opportunities. The program seeks to make college students aware of the abundant and diverse career opportunities that exist in Greensboro.
“I started talking to her and saw the companies they work with. Companies like Lincoln Financial and smaller organizations I had never even heard of,” said Nick.
The meeting was all it took to get Dasnoit interested in the program. He started working on his application that very day.
“I was motivated from day one because of what the program had to offer. It got you involved in the community,” he said.
Nick was among four GTCC students selected for the 2017 Opportunity Greensboro Fellows Program cohort. He spent the summer interning with Global Brands Group, one of the world’s leading branded apparel, footwear and fashion accessories companies. The organization’s finance, order process management andIT functions are based in Greensboro.
“I learned so much because I got immersed in their IT department. I did desktop support by going out on different floors and troubleshooting employees’ computer issues,” he said. “I really enjoyed it.”
Dasnoit feels his experience in the Opportunity Greensboro Fellows program further enhanced hisGTCC education. By taking initiative and applying the networking skills he gained during the program’s professional development sessions, Nick secured his first job in IT right here in Greensboro.
“Nick was very vocal about staying in Greensboro and wanting to start his career here,” said Beth Mannella, program director of the Opportunity Greensboro Fellows Program. “I started thinking about who I knew that I could connect him with for an informational interview.”
Mannella encouraged Nick to contact Trey Miller, CEO of Triad Tech Services. The company provides a range of IT services for small to medium size businesses and nonprofits. Action Greensboro – developer of the Opportunity Greensboro Fellows Program – and its sister organization the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce are among its roster of clients.
“Nick did an informational interview and really took the initiative to stay connected with Trey,” added Mannella. “When there was a job opportunity at Triad Tech Services, he was among those selected for an interview.”
It was a professional networking success with Dasnoit accepting a full-time position as a technician with Triad Tech Services in late 2017.
“We are a small company, and we are helping these other companies do good things. I enjoy going out and doing fieldwork with the clients,” said Dasnoit. “The Opportunity Greensboro Fellows Program was the icing on the cake. It set me up for success.”
