Andrew Farris, who will graduate from UW-Stevens Point with a degree in Cyber Security in December, has joined Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC) as an IT intern.

“I saw this as a great opportunity, and I really want to just start in my field (of study) anyway possible,” Farris said. “I applied to a number of different places, but this is one of the internships that I put a little more effort into. It just seemed like a good place to start off and learn and do something I love to do every day.”

Farris said he immediately began learning new things after beginning the internship at CWEC in July. He added that his college education provided him with a base of IT knowledge that has helped him with his internship work.

“There’s definitely been a handful of items that I’ve used from college in this job and it’s increasing,” Farris said.

The internship, which has Farris working full-time at CWEC until the fall semester starts in early September, has had Farris working on a variety of IT items.

“Any little problem I find extremely interesting because you never know what’s going to come up that day or next week,” Farris said. “Is my whole week going to be completely different than what I thought? That’s what I love about this job. I’m just excited to tackle new problems and get through them and learn how to deal with them.”

 Once the fall semester starts at UW-Stevens Point, the internship will have Farris working part-time at CWEC. After he graduates in December, Farris said he will pursue an IT job, which he said is the first step toward finding a job in cyber security.

“That’s stuff I’d love to do,” Farris said.

He added, “Coding is a good passion that I have as well, but cyber security is more surprising. It’s different every day.”

Farris, who is from Lino Lakes, Minnesota, said during his free time he enjoys playing video games, working out, golfing, and watching football and hockey.