The Information Support Services and Networking (ISSN) program is a Chapter 74 competency-based program designed to provide students with entry-level skills expected of an ISSN Professional who is starting their career. These skills relate to:
- Computer Maintenance and Repair
- Mobile Devices
- Data Communications
- Networking
- Server Management
- Operating Systems
- Software and hardware installation
- Technology Troubleshooting
- Virtualization
- Cyber Security Best Practices
- Technology Compliance
ISSN is a course built around the vocational standards outlined by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). This ISSN class also incorporates standards from CompTIA and Cisco, two industry leading companies. Additionally, OSHA safety practices will be taught and practiced.
Students start their ISSN journey learning about how a user interacts with a computer and the operating system that controls it. The class will continue into software installation and maintenance. This will include learning about proper computer security practices and how to protect a computer from malicious events. After practicing these skills, students will explore the best practices and operational procedures of a professional ISSN Environment.
Device hardware is also an important part of ISSN. Students will study and practice on various types of devices such as mobile devices, laptops, desktops, and “internet of things”. A deeper exploration of computer components will eventually lead to each student learning how to build a computer utilizing various components. Allowing the computers to communicate with each other over a network is essential to today’s computing needs, therefore, students will learn the basic functionality of building and maintaining a network to allow for continuous connectivity.
Once students have had ample opportunity to show proficiency, they will move to developing a more in-depth understanding of networking technology. To assist, the focus will be on learning about the enterprise leading Cisco devices and configurations. Students will explore how to configure and manage Cisco devices such as network switches. Routers and firewalls will also be introduced at this time. They will then practice creating a more complex network to integrate these devices. Furthering their education of network management, students will explore how to build, utilize, and maintain a server.
To further advance their skills, the students will be taking a dive deeper into the protocols of routing and firewalls. Continuing to utilize Cisco equipment, students will learn best practices and industry standard techniques to make a truly enterprise grade network. Students will then continue on to learn how they can create virtual machines and utilize those virtual machines to safely test and maintain their networks. Virtualization will also lead to instruction and skill learning related to cloud computing.
Course Objectives:
Using industry standards and the standards outlined by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, students will learn the following competencies:
- Integrate academics through project-based learning
- Recognize career pathway opportunities
- Interact safely in a shop environment
- Incorporate the use of industry standard technology and software
- Read, understand, and communicate in the language of the field
- Research and organize information
- Develop a professional appearance, work ethic and superior communication skills
- Demonstrate customer relationship skills
- Determine customers’ needs and process technical work orders
- Use technology to seek diagnostic techniques and repair procedures, parts information and labor rates
Certifications and Recognitions:
Once a student has shown competency as outlined in the ISSN Course Expectations (shared with students who enroll in the class), they may earn the following:
- OSHA 10
- CompTIA A+ Certification
- Cisco IT Essentials Certificate
- 3 STCC Credits (via Articulation Agreement)
- Cisco Introduction to Networking Certificate
- 3 STCC Credits (via Articulation Agreement)
- Cisco Switching, Routing, and Networking Certificate
- 3 STCC Credits (via Articulation Agreement)
Looking to the Future:
The end goal of the ISSN program is to prepare students to enter the workforce with industry related skills and qualifications that will make the student stand out from other candidates in the job application process for entry level positions. The ISSN program will also allow students to start a new job already prepared with much of the knowledge and skills that would typically be learned from on-the-job training, assisting setting up the students to advance in their career at a faster rate than a new employee with a traditional education.
Post Secondary Options:
| Bay Path University Boston University College of Our Lady of the Elms Holyoke Community College Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Western New England University Springfield Technical Community College University of Connecticut University of Massachusetts Westfield State University |
Career Opportunities:
Entry Level Jobs – Right after Graduating from High School
| Help Desk Technician Network Support Technician PC Technician | Information Technology (IT) Support Technician Information Systems (IS) Support Technician |
Skilled Jobs – Requiring Associates Degree and/or Experience
| Junior Systems Administrator Junior Network Administrator Junior Server Administrator | Help Desk Manager Junior Cloud Administrator Junior Cyber Security Technician |
Professional Careers – Requires Bachelor’s Degree or Higher
| Computer Engineer Network Engineer Cloud Engineer Offensive Security Engineer | Senior Network Administrator Senior Systems Administrator Information Systems Security Officer Senior Cyber Technician |
Instructors
 Exploratory, 9th & 10th Grade Ext.1115 |  Johnathen Belhumeur 3rd & 4th Year Ext. 1112 |