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At only the age of 20, Jay Cann has developed an impressive resume that boasts two coveted internship experiences involving work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), User Technology Associates (UTA), and most recently, the Institute for Scientific Research (ISR).  Jay was one of the first students to receive a scholarship and internship from the Mollohan Foundation in 2001.  Using the contacts he had made the summer before and with the help of the Mollohan Foundation, Jay earned a second competitive internship for 2002.   

When he was a senior in high school, the Bridgeport resident applied for the 2001 Technology First Scholarship Program sponsored by the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation.  To his surprise he received a letter from the Robert H. Mollohan Family Charitable Foundation stating that he would receive any additional amount from its new scholarship program.  He learned that along with the Foundation scholarship came a world of opportunities. 

The summer after he graduated from high school, he received a phone call from Marcie McClintic of the Mollohan Foundation.  Quickly Jay discovered that the organization was doing its best to find him a paid summer internship in the high technology community.  Before he could even consider his options, the Mollohan Foundation had arranged for him to work with the FBI and UTA. 

Jay found himself gaining experience in his field, forensic identification, and working on two different projects with the two organizations.   When he was working for UTA at the Alan B. Mollohan Innovation Center, he was helping to develop a software system for the government recording crime statistics for all of the police agencies nationwide.  After the software was developed, he tested it to make sure that it worked properly.   At the FBI Jay completed basic office tasks while learning about what types of projects that were completed at the identification complex in Clarksburg, West Virginia. 

Jay started college at West Virginia University (WVU) in the fall of 2001. With his work experience from the summer and his experience in the classroom, Jay decided to change his major to biometrics and computer engineering.

Again Jay was contacted by the Mollohan Foundation concerning a summer internship and he decided to accept a job working for ISR.  Not knowing what to expect, Jay started working full time for ISR in May 2002.  Over the course of the summer he learned that ISR was more than just a software company.   “It is fascinating how they are growing.  I had no idea what they did, but I have learned that they really do a little bit of everything,” he said.    

He worked on a variety of projects, but one of his major projects was working with a virtual reality initiative.  He also put together content for a website that ISR was developing.  In addition, he had the opportunity to work on the Black Diamond computer by replacing video cards for certain machines.  In his spare time he helped with the maintenance on the different computer systems. 

“I liked the diversity of the people that work there.  The environment was always positive and the people were extremely friendly.”   Through his summer job Jay met many different people from the Fairmont area.  “I have learned how to work with a team and how to meet major deadlines.  The knowledge that I have gained will most likely benefit my collegiate career.”  

Jay feels that he has benefited from the two year experience.  Although all of his internships have been wonderful, he really enjoyed working with ISR.  “I did a lot of research on various technologies and products and learned how these technologies are being developed, marketed, and implemented throughout the world,” he said.

Over the next three years Jay will continue to enjoy the opportunities that the Mollohan Foundation provides.  The internship will help him understand the way the high technology companies work in West Virginia.  His experience will open his eyes to the vast amount of opportunities that are available for students.  After two full summers of working with different internships, Jay said he feels that he will be able to have a great job after college.  “I am getting my foot in the door early and I feel that this is a fantastic program,” he explained. 

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