IT students share experience of coveted U.S. Women's Open Golf internship

Zach Reynolds and Haley Shreve had a chance to check out the U.S. Women's Open Golf Championship, one of the most prestigious sporting events this spring.

But their interest wasn't in the action on the greens, but what was happening behind the scenes.

The two Madison College IT students were selected for the Cisco Dream Team to assist with network support during the May 20-June 1 event at Erin Hills Golf Course, near Hartford, Wisconsin.  

IT Networking Instructor Brent Sieling nominated the pair, confident that their hands-on experience with networking equipment in class would elevate the Dream Team’s performance.

Zach and Haley worked alongside Cisco networking engineers to establish wireless coverage across the golf course, ensuring attendees could stay connected. They helped install and test CAT5e cabling, deploy access points (APs) and switches, and provide network performance throughout the event.

Haley thrived in the high-pressure environment, improving her network troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

"The most enjoyable part was seeing the event run smoothly, knowing that our team's hard work and expertise made it possible," Haley said. “I also appreciated the opportunity to work alongside everyone, learning from them and gaining valuable insight.”

Career-boosting experience

Haley graduated last semester, completing the programs of Network Specialist and Cybersecurity, and plans to earn a CCNA certification. Being part of this mega event boosted Haley's confidence.

"This experience will significantly enhance my resume, showcasing my ability to work on large-scale network projects and collaborate with experienced engineers," Haley says. "Given that this is one of the few IT-related experiences on my resume, it demonstrates my capabilities and potential."

Learn more about Madison College's IT learning opportunities.