What is TLT?
TLT stands for Teaching, Learning, and Technology. It is a part of the Department of Information and Technology (DoIT) and a sister department to Client Support. TLT supports SINC sites and the programs students use. We are there to provide any technological help to students and faculty members.
Why TLT?
Many students chose to work at TLT because it’s flexible and offers a great opportunity to explore new programs and applications. Students will get a better sense of what customer service is and be able to help others out in a professional manner. In addition to this, it provides the necessary skills needed in the work force.
Learning on the Job
Being a TLT Consultant means being knowledgeable with the different software and platforms the University offers, and still be open to new ideas and innovation. They are expected to know the basic functions of certain programs and be able to pass on that knowledge to a student in need. In addition to this, consultants are given the opportunity to learn different program and computing skills from each other and staff members.
One of the things the job offers is testing out programs and applications first before giving it out to the SBU Community. Whenever our Technicians develop a new program or create a updated version of an application, TLT Consultants are the first ones to put that program on a test run and give feedback. This allows our Techs to pinpoint what problems students could have, yet still allow Consultants to learn and do more with the programs they were testing.
Another thing that being a TLT Consultant offers is learning professionalism. Whether its helping a student out, answering emails or give out instructions, consultants will learn over time how to do it in a professional demeanor and provide excellent customer service.
Applications and Opportunities
The things learned and taught in TLT can be applied anywhere in any field. Customer service can be applied to interactions with people, and creating and editing within a particular program can be applied to presentations and documents. Majority of the time, the things learned in TLT can be applicable to a consultant’s field of interest also. Photoshop can be used for designing and art, and video editing can be used for club activities and purposes. Excel can be used to create statistical charts and graphs. Often times, because of the skills consultants acquire on the job, they’re also given the opportunity to become a TA for certain classes.
There’s more to just being a TLT Consultant; there are other roles a Consultant can take on as they continue to stay with the TLT family.