Field Trip to Viget Labs
Leading up to
Damascus High School is conveniently located in Damascus, Maryland along the outer rim of Montgomery County. It is nestled roughly between Baltimore and Washington DC with a 45 minute to hour ride to either. This offers the students a great opportunity to connect with the movers and shakers of the web design community working in these two cities. Viget Labs is one company in particular that has a strong reputation and has been eager to connect with my students. With a remarkable and understanding benefits package that includes two paid community service days, Viget continues to send DHS their best and brightest to speak as part of our guest lecture program. Without their amazing support and others the program wouldn’t be what it is.
This Fall I sent a note to Brian Williams (CEO & Co-founder of Viget) proposing an Advanced Web Tools class field trip to Viget. The next day I got a note that said, "Sure, sounds fun. Let’s do it.". I share this because it demonstrates Viget’s desire to better their community.
The Field Trip
On Thursday, December 10th, 2009 my class of around 30 Advanced Web Tools students took an hour metro ride and 25 minute walk in the crisp Winter air to visit Viget in Falls Church, Virginia.
From the start we were impressed. Brian greeted us outside the office with a warm welcome and split us down the middle with simultaneous guided tours. We got to see the facility and hear from most members. The tour revealed an open office with comfortable cubbies. We briefly visited each facet of Viget Labs from HR to Design to Front End to Developers and more and got to hear from the team members.
Next some designers and developers spoke briefly about what it means to fall in their respective regions, things to look at, how to get into it, and possible education. It was a great time for the kids to ask job specific questions.
We ended the day with a hands on strategy development session. Jackson Wilkinson and Brian Talbot lead small teams of students in the development of a web application near and dear to us, a school field trip web application that streamlined the process and made it easy for all parties. Markers and whiteboards were flying with rich conversation and over the shoulder remarks from Jackson and Brian.
We ended the day with pizza (supplied by Viget).
Picture taken by Brian Williams
As we parted we gathered to thank Brian and his team for their hospitality by presenting them with the Progressive Enhancement Plaque. Our program bestows this award to any persons who give of themselves in a manner which enhances web education. We feel Viget meets and exceeds this requirement.
In Reflection
On the way home I witnessed a group of chatty and tired high school students revel in their inspiration. They were excited to see that what they are learning in class is a respected craft and the course content is legit. You always wonder if the kids "get it", like how lucky they are to have had this opportunity; I think they did this time. Before we left in the morning I told them I can guarentee no other 15, 16, and 17 year olds will ever enter Viget Labs with a free pass to explore and soak up knowledge so to be on their best behavior and take advantage of the opportunity.
I’m proud of my students, Viget Labs, and our program. I now have 30 students who aspire to work at Viget one day.
See what Viget thought of the experience.
