The inaugural National Technical Institute for Deaf (NTID) forensics
boot camp kicked off this week with a day-long training session. Throughout the
week, students will have the opportunity to learn more about digital forensics,
including Guidance Software’s suite of EnCase products.
On Monday, participants met with Scott Van Nice, an NTID
alumnae and computer forensics manager at Procter & Gamble (P&G). Scott
discussed his career path, offering advice to the students on navigating the
post-college world.
When Scott interviewed at P&G, although he asked for an
interpreter, one was not available. Working together, they were able to find a
compromise – Scott and the interviewers used his computer to communicate.
“Sometimes things go wrong and you have to find a way to
make them work,” Scott told the students.
Although he had been planning to take a trip to Europe,
Scott decided to accept an internship at P&G. He told the students that
they will sometimes have to weigh short-term gains versus long-terms gains to
make decisions.
After his internship, Scott accepted a full-time position at
P&G. While there, he worked hard to ensure that the company can accommodate
his and other people’s needs. He helped push towards a central fund for
workplace accommodations at P&G – as opposed to having each department pay
for it.
“You need to become your own advocate,” Scott said.
Scott has discussed his experiences at P&G publicly – “P&G
exec: I've learned to embrace being deaf,”
helping highlight issues around accommodation to pave the way for future
employees.
During his career, Scott earned his law degree and began to
work in electronic discovery and computer forensics. However, he recognized
that communication in the workplace was a challenge. Working with P&G, who
helped him identify how to succeed at his peak, he was able to have a more
vocal role – addressing team meetings – and eventually was assigned a personal
interpreter. Currently, he is on track towards a Master’s in Informatics and is
interested in insider risk which involves studying how to better protect
internal data from malicious employees, third parties, or business
partners.
During an interview
about his experiences at P&G, Scott noted: “P&G recognizes that
everyone is different, but what they bring to the table is exceptional.”
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Fast facts about NTID
NTID is the first and largest technological college in the
world for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The college was established after President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Technical Institute for the Deaf Act. The bill provided for the establishment and operation of a co-educational, post-secondary institute for technical education of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Total of 1,413 students enrolled as of fall 2015. Undergraduate: 1,167 deaf and hard-of-hearing students, 151 students (enrolled in ASL-English Interpretation program).
