Stephen Porter
I am an undergraduate student at Boise State University studying Computer Science and Mathematics. I am an intern for MetaGeek, LLC in Boise, Idaho. Interning at MetaGeek has been a life changing experience. Not only am I getting behind the scenes looks into the developing world (which helps me greatly in my major), but I am learning so much about the company and our products.
The way my internship works is that it is for my stay at Boise State. As I advance in my degree, I will advance at MetaGeek. Currently I am Front Line Technical Support for MetaGeek. My job is to provide support to users and to learn as much about the company and it’s products as possible (and I have learned A LOT). When I get a little further into my degree I will move up to QA where I will actually be helping to design the tests to test MetaGeek’s programs. Then, when I am far enough into my CompSci degree, I will move up and be a Programming Intern where I actually get to help in designing and programming MetaGeek’s programs!
What’s really great is MetaGeek does what they call 20% time, where employees get 20% of their time to do whatever side projects they want. I spend most of my 20% time doing homework, so when I am working, I still get time to do my homework! They also work around my school schedule, and by that I mean that I pick my hours and come in when I can. They are perfectly fine with me coming in in the morning before my class, leaving to class, then coming back. And it’s just a 10min bike ride to and from campus, so I don’t have to worry about gas.
On the “behind the scenes” side, I get to see how things in the real world are done. I have honestly learned more here about developing software than I have in the classrooms. Not only that, but I have an awesome group of developers that I can ask questions to when I am doing homework for my CompSci classes.
Ryan Woodings and Brian Tuttle (co-owners) are great guys to work for. Great sense of humor and both very nice. Ryan and Brian really go out of their way to let their employees know how much they appreciate us. For example, when I come in everyday Ryan always asks me how I am and we have a conversation before I start work. We are really spoiled here at MetaGeek