Rackspace Turns NVC Students into “Rackers”

San Antonio-based Rackspace Hosting is hoping to turn up to 10 Northwest Vista College students into “Rackers” by offering them jobs with the international company.

Company representatives were on campus on Sept. 11 holding a mini job fair with about 25 students in Rackspace’s Network Security division. The NVC students Rackspace was interviewing were from NVC’s Information Technology program that NVC’s Workforce Education & Training area offers.

Dennis Miller, a former NVC student, who works at Rackspace, was a part of the interviewing team. He said NVC students received a priceless opportunity to interview with Rackspace.

“This is like getting drafted by the Yankees and not even having to tryout,” said Miller, adding Rackspace was on Fortune’s list of 100 Best Companies to Work For.

Olu Aluko, Rackspace’s senior director of Fanatical Support in the Small to Medium Business (SMB) segment, said many of the NVC students they hired from several years ago are still with the company and they bring a higher level of knowledge to the job.

“About three years ago we did this very same thing and hired about 12 people from NVC and they are still with the company,” Olu added. “We did something that worked well and wanted to do it again.”

Overall Rackspace has about 40 former NVC students who work at the company. Dennis added the NVC candidates they hire from the Sept. 11 job fair will probably make salaries starting in the $40,000 range.

To keep the NVC/Rackspace partnership going, Rackspace plans to interview NVC job candidates in December and May.

Bobby Yeater, NVC’s Network Administrator coordinator, added coming in January NVC will be offering a new associate degree to include some elements that companies, such as Rackspace, are requesting that students learn before jumping in the field.

“We are proud that our IT/Cisco program is thought of so highly that it keeps bringing Rackpsace back,” said Bobby. “Rackspace is a leading-edge company and NVC students are proving they can flourish in the marketplace.”