IT Services Student Employee Moves from Computer Lab to Beijing

Whitt Pruitt, University Relations

Zachary Tipton, on his way to Beijing for the summer, has worked for IT Services since high school.

Being a university-employed student has opened many doors for Zachary Tipton, who has been working in computer labs for IT Services since he was 16. In fact, he credits his job for inspiring him to attend college.  

Recently, he was accepted to the Princeton in Beijing program, where he will continue his studies of the Chinese language in an intensive and immersive environment. He said he hopes to master the language so, in the future, he can be a serious international researcher fostering collaboration between the two countries.

"Ideally, I want to do some sort of environmental research collaborating between U.S. and Chinese companies and governments," said Tipton.

Tipton is a member of the Honors College and is majoring in environmental, soil and water sciences in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

He said working on campus has helped him make connections with a diverse number of students and professors, as well as establish a sense of belonging at the University of Arkansas. "I have the privilege of working with and helping people from every country, and that's an incredibly rewarding experience," Tipton said.

Because of the energizing and educational environment Tipton works in, it often doesn't feel like work to him. He said he wishes more students were able to have this kind of employment experience.

The IT Services initiative to increase the number of students employed by the department goes hand-in-hand with many aspects of the Chancellor's own 8 Guiding Priorities, including advancing student success and building a collaborative and innovative campus.

Students at the U of A looking for an educational and convenient job while attending college are encouraged to submit their resumes to IT Services.

To learn more about working with us, visit its.uark.edu/careers.