Tennessee Tech University
University co-op job leads to China visit for Steve Bradford
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 19, 2007) -- Most university students don't have a job that requires a 14-hour flight to China and offers glimpses of Shanghai skyscrapers, including the ones Tom Cruise swung off in Mission Impossible III.
But Steve Bradford, a Tennessee Tech University senior computer science major, spent part of his summer playing an integral part of his company's efforts to set up a client's new plant in China. Soltus, a small hardware and software engineering company in Nashville, provided Bradford with the opportunity for international experience.
"The client produces high-end audio equipment used in many vehicles, and we had to test our software on the onsite hardware at the plant, so we went to China to finish programming our software and install it," said Bradford, who, as a TTU co-op student, was the only student who traveled.
The challenges Bradford faced on the trip were typical: long flight, long cab rides and a language barrier. He said the best parts were the experience he gained and the time spent at some of the world's most incredible sites.
" Although we spent a lot of time working, we also got to do a lot of sightseeing," he said. "I saw the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in Beijing and went up to the top of the third tallest tower in the world, Pearl TV Tower, in Shanghai."
TTU President Bob Bell said Bradford's opportunity is a good example of how the university is more focused than ever on broadening student and community international understanding.
"This blend of academic and career experience is a great example of how the university can improve interest, understanding and appreciation of other cultures," said Bell. "We are focusing more on giving all our students, undergraduates and graduates, the knowledge, perspectives and skills they need to succeed in international environments."
Bradford said he spent the majority of his time with application programming as well as training the plant engineers how to use the software and configure hardware.
A few cultural differences made an impression on Bradford as he traveled through China, but those experiences were also part of his education.
"The food was completely different than American food," said Bradford. "As a note, Chinese food is nothing like an American Chinese buffet. Also, the restrooms often were a lot different, with the toilet embedded into the floor. And most public restrooms didn't have toilet paper.
"A lot of stores I went to I got to bargain for my price, especially on sidewalk stores," he said. "In retail stores, like in the many malls in China, there is no price bargaining and in restaurants there is no sales tax. I liked this a lot because you knew exactly the amount you were going to spend on everything."
Up to 400 students participate in TTU's co-op program each year, finding jobs across the nation and the world.
"I think this will be big in getting a job in the future," he said. "I now have over a year experience on real-world projects using modern technology. I also have become a lot more familiar with how the business side of things work.
"The best part about the trip I would say was just getting see so much of China," Bradford said.
--Karen Lykins
This information posted 19 October 2007
