CCC student, Cameron James, studying for Computer Information Systems classes in the Lone Tree Commons. Courtesy photo.
FLAGSTAFF — He loves to learn, especially about computers.
Coconino Community College student Cameron Jones started taking classes at CCC when he was in high school as a student enrolled in the Coconino Association for Vocations, Industry, and Technology program, better known as CAVIAT. CAVIAT helps high school students get college credit and hands-on knowledge about job skills required for certain careers, preparing their path after they graduate from high school.
“The CAVIAT program was a taste of the real thing,” Jones said, adding that he is now a part of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at CCC. Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society that has more than 1200 different chapters, including CCC’s chapter, Beta Gamma Chi.
Jones, who has been taking classes for a year at CCC, is majoring in Computer Information Systems and plans to have his associate degree from CCC by this fall. Attached to his associate is a Google IT certification that will be helpful when applying for future jobs. The Google IT certificate helps students understand the fundamentals of networking, troubleshooting, and the components of an operating system.
Jones chose this degree path because he has always been fascinated by computers and loves to learn about them.
Although he is unsure if he wants to transfer to a four-year university or go straight into the workforce after receiving his associate degree, he plans on working on some small projects in the meantime. He wants to relearn Python, which is a common programming language, as well as making a media server that will store a customer’s media on a personal server that can be accessed from almost anywhere in the world.
When asked what motivates him, Jones referred to a quote by Neil deGrasse Tyson, “You should try to learn at least one new thing a day.”
He added, “It’s the drive to be a better or more knowledgeable person than I was the day before.”
For more information about computer information systems programs offered at CCC, visit https://www.coconino.edu/paths/computer-visual-technology.