Software Firm Hopes Internships Continue

Thu., June 8, 2000

By Carlos Acevedo carlosa@spokesman.com

A computer company located in the Holley-Mason Building with Lewis and Clark High School has started a student internship program it hopes to continue through next year.

Maplewood Software, housed on the sixth floor of the temporary school, created four software testing positions for LC students through the final quarter of school. The testers used database software developed by the company to diagnose problems.

The unpaid internships were for school credit.

“It’s been good for them because they get to see the work environment,” said Maplewood Software President John Janzen. “And it’s been good for us because they’ve found some bugs.”

Students with computer proficiency were selected to test for the internships, and four were hired based on their ability to articulate how to use a Microsoft Word function. Janzen said computer skills were important, but being able to communicate with the programmers was equally important.

“To test software, most of the time, the hardest part is describing what you’ve found,” Janzen said.

The company could have found more efficient ways to test for bugs, but providing the positions was a way for Janzen to give back to the community, he said.

Janzen, 34, became interested in computers while attending Shadle Park High School; someone there gave him a similar chance to work on the school’s computers. Janzen hired two of the interns to work in paid positions this summer, and he expects to continue with the unpaid internships next year if there are qualified candidates, he said.

Students interested in applying for internship positions next fall may call Janzen at 252-3550.

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