IT Student Consultant Brandon Clesse says experience has been amazing
Meet Brandon Clesse, a student consultant for Jackson College’s Information Technology department.
“I like to define a student consultant as almost like a paid internship because it’s given me the opportunity to work with all the different branches of teams in the IT department,” he said. “I’ve been able to train new student consultants, work on the Google knowledge team and soon diving into some enterprise experience. It’s cool being a consultant.”
He has been a lead presenter for Jackson College’s Google knowledge team. This includes hosting workspace and applications sessions. As the institution works to transition to Google, the experience has been amazing for Brandon. It helped him work on formal public speaking and broadening knowledge through one-on-one and group meetings.
“Doing all of these things with the staff has not only given me insight on what people do here and how I can help them, it’s helped us broaden our knowledge to set everybody up for the most success they can have during this transition,” he said.
An experience that will stick with Brandon well past his time at JC.
“Working with all the employees that I have, I’ve built some incredible relationships that no matter where I’m at in life, I’m going to take something from it and cherish it.”
Brandon is a pursuing a degree in business administration but didn’t always see himself in IT. Not until he met someone was “very kind” and influenced him to pursue it.
“Being a business major it was unexpected but that’s what I think a lot of people might not know unless you’re in the IT department,” he said. “It’s not necessarily about being a cybersecurity student. I have truly broadened my insight and knowledge in so many aspects being here.”
He chose Jackson College because of the community feeling and its affordability.
“It’s much smaller than a big university,” Clesse said. “It gives me the opportunity to not only be with my family in my younger years but also, it’s the best route for me. The campus is great. Everybody’s great and I’ve just had such an overall good experience.”
Brandon has his eyes set on continuing his education by getting his bachelor’s degree through the 3+1 Degree Completion Agreement between Jackson College and Siena Heights University.
“My original idea was to transfer to a different college, but my knowledge has grown since I’ve been here and it also keeps me here especially,” he said. “It works well with working adults so that I can continue working, continue gaining experience while affordably getting my degree and staying here at JC, which I want and desire to do.”
He is on track to graduate in Spring 2025.