W&M IT Hosts Winter Externship Experience

On January 15, 2026, William & Mary Information Technology welcomed senior Sam Oliver for a one-day winter externship, offering an inside look at what it’s like to work in higher education IT. 

Oliver, a computer science major concentrating in cybersecurity, spent the day immersed in several areas of W&M IT that aligned with his academic and career interests. With a strong interest in networking, he began his externship with the infrastructure team touring campus by golf cart, gaining a behind-the-scenes view of the networking spaces and physical infrastructure that keep W&M connected. “The tour of the campus was definitely the highlight,” said Oliver, “I got to see how the network at W&M is set up and managed.” 

 In addition to networking, Oliver was eager to learn more about cybersecurity. He spent time with Chief Information Security Officer Pete Kellogg and the information security team, where he learned about the university’s cybersecurity operations, strategies, and day-to-day responsibilities involved in protecting institutional data and systems.  

Oliver also had the opportunity to learn about the administrative side of IT leadership, hearing directly from Chief Information Officer Ed Aractingi about the challenges and considerations involved in running a large, complex IT organization. Additional discussions touched on research computing and academic technology, providing a broader perspective on how IT supports the university’s academic mission. 

“I am continually inspired by the talent and passion of students who love learning from the real world of IT. I am grateful for our entire team, whose commitment brings the vision of externship to life,” said Aractingi. “Working alongside such bright and motivated students fuels our optimism for the future and reinforces our belief in the transformative power of learning and innovation at William & Mary.” 

To round out the experience, Oliver spent time in the Technology Support Center, observing the frontline work of IT professionals who assist students, faculty, and staff with their daily technology needs. 

This marks W&M IT’s fourth year participating in the winter externship program, which gives students considering careers in information technology a chance to see how IT functions in a higher education environment. “This externship has led me to meet several professionals in the field, all with great advice on how to get started and progress through a career in IT,” Oliver said. 

Through initiatives like these, W&M IT continues to offer students a range of experiential learning opportunities that span from single-day externships to multi-year internships, some of which have led to full-time careers within the department after graduation.  

To learn more about internships opportunities in W&M IT and to hear testimonials from formers interns, visit www.wm.edu/it/internships.