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Weekly Internship Journal

Week 1 • Feb 11th, 2026

What I Did

  • I met with my supervisor to go over the plan for the day and review the work order for the new landline phone installations.

  • I asked a lot of questions about the dispensary’s network setup, security expectations, and how their phone system integrates with their POS and compliance tools.

  • I helped identify where each new landline phone needed to be installed and checked the existing cabling and wall jacks.

  • I assisted with mounting the phones, connecting them to the network, and testing dial tone and call quality.

  • I documented each installation location and any issues we found so the IT team could update their inventory.

How I Prepared
  • I brought a notebook and pen so I could take notes on the phone system, wiring, and everyone’s roles.
  • I arrived early so I had time to settle in and not feel rushed.
  • I made sure I knew my supervisor’s name and how to pronounce it correctly.
  • I wore comfortable but professional clothing since I knew I might be moving equipment or crouching under tables.
What I Learned Today

  • I realized I was slightly overdressed for a day involving hardware installation, but I was glad I wasn’t underdressed.

  • I learned how important communication systems are in a dispensary, especially for security and compliance.

  • I learned that every location has its own quirks, like older wiring, tight spaces, or outdated equipment that needs more care handling.

  • I learned that asking questions early makes the rest of the day go much smoother.

Weekly Internship Journal

Week 2 • FEB 18th, 2026

What I Did

  • I met with my supervisor to review the plan for reorganizing and deep‑cleaning the electrical room so it would be safer and easier to work in.

  • I cleared out old boxes, unused cables, outdated equipment, and anything blocking access to panels or network racks.

  • I wiped down shelves, swept the floor, and organized tools, power supplies, and spare parts so everything had a clear place.

  • I sorted cables by type and length, coiled them properly, and labeled them so the IT team could find what they needed quickly.

  • I checked the wiring paths and breaker labels, updating anything that was unclear or missing.

  • I documented the new layout of the room and wrote down anything that needed repair or replacement.

How I Prepared

  • I reviewed basic electrical‑room safety so I knew what I could and couldn’t touch.

  • I brought a notebook and pen so I could track wiring labels, equipment names, and anything that needed follow‑up.

  • I arrived early so I had time to get settled before starting.

  • I wore comfortable, practical clothing since I knew I’d be lifting, bending, and working around equipment.

  • I kept my phone on silent so I could stay focused and avoid distractions.

What I Learned Today

  • I learned how important it is to keep an electrical room clean and organized so the IT team can troubleshoot quickly and safely.

  • I learned that unlabeled or messy wiring can slow down repairs and create safety risks.

  • I took a lot of notes on breaker labels, wiring paths, and equipment that looked outdated or damaged.

  • I learned the layout of the room and how it connects to the rest of the building’s systems.

Weekly Internship Journal

Week 3 • Feb 25th, 2026

What I Did

  • I met with my supervisor to review which two computers needed to be replaced and why they were being upgraded.

  • I powered down the old machines safely, disconnected all peripherals.

  • I unpacked the new computers, checked for any visible damage, and verified that all required components were included.

  • I connected the new systems to monitors, keyboards, mice, and network cables.

  • I assisted with initial setup, including logging in, applying updates, and confirming that required applications were installed.

  • I tested each workstation to make sure internet access, printers, POS connections, and user accounts were working properly.

  • I labeled the new machines and recorded their serial numbers so the IT team could update inventory.

  • I helped move the old computers to the designated storage or recycling area.

How I Prepared

  • I reviewed basic steps for replacing a workstation so I knew what to expect.

  • I brought a notebook and pen so I could take notes on user settings, cable layouts, and any issues that came up.

  • I arrived early so I had time to get settled before starting the replacements.

  • I made sure I knew my supervisor’s expectations for the day and which departments the computers belonged to.

  • I wore comfortable clothing since I knew I’d be moving equipment and working under desks.

What I Learned Today

  • I learned how important it is to document the original workstation setup before disconnecting anything.

  • I learned that even small differences in cable placement or user preferences can affect how smoothly a replacement goes.

  • I took notes on software each department uses and how their workflows depend on having a reliable computer.

  • I learned how to verify that a new workstation is fully functional, not just turning on, but connecting to the network, printers, and POS systems.

  • I learned that replacing computers in a dispensary requires extra attention to security and compliance tools.

  • I realized that staying organized makes the whole process faster and prevents mistakes.

Weekly Internship Journal

Week 4 • Mar 11th, 2026

What I Did
  • Tasks Completed: 
  • Identified malfunctioning scanners 
  • Performed physical inspections .
  • Troubleshot scanners 
  • Removed non‑functional scanners and prepared replacement ones
  • Installed and configured new scanners
  • Tested each scanner with multiple tags 
  • Documented serial numbers, locations, and configuration details 
  • Skills Used/Learned: 
  • Hardware troubleshooting 
  • Understanding of RFID technology
  • Network connectivity verification and device communication testing
  • Equipment installation, cable management, and safe handling of electronic devices
  • Software configuration for scanner IDs,
  • Professional documentation and labeling 
Challenges
  • Problems Encountered:
  • Some scanners showed intermittent failures that were hard to reproduce.
  • A few units had loose or poorly routed cables.
  • One scanner failed to register in the system even after installation.
  • Limited workspace in certain mounting areas made removal and installation difficult.
  • Solutions/Action taken:
  • Recreated user‑reported issues.
  • Reseated and secured cables using zip ties and proper routing to prevent strain.
  • Adjusted scanner positioning.
  • Reconfigured the scanner in the system software.
  • Used careful tool handling.
  • Documented all findings to help prevent repeat issues.
Reflections/Insights

  • Troubleshooting scanners requires patience and a methodical approach because issues can come from hardware, software, or the environment.

  • Proper mounting and alignment make a huge difference in accuracy and workflow efficiency.

  • Documenting each scanner’s configuration before removal saves time.

  • I’m becoming more confident in diagnosing hardware problems.

  • Replacing scanners directly improved staff workflow.

  • This task helped me see how important cable management really is.

Weekly Internship Journal

Week 5 • Mar 18th, 2026

What I Did

Tasks Completed

  • Answered incoming calls from multiple store locations needing IT assistance.

  • Logged each issue, gathered details from store employees, and prioritized tickets based on urgency.

  • Walked users through troubleshooting steps for hardware, software, and network issues.

  • Scheduled service times for more complex problems that required on‑site support.

  • Contacted vendors for equipment failures, warranty replacements, and software malfunctions.

  • Coordinated communication between stores.

  • Updated ticket statuses and documented all actions taken.

​

Skills Used / Learned

  • Professional phone communication.

  • Technical troubleshooting for common store hardware and software issues.

  • Ticket management and prioritization in a fast‑paced environment.

  • Vendor communication.

  • Time management and scheduling coordination across multiple locations.

  • Clear documentation.

Challenges

Challenges / Problems Encountered

  • Some store employees had difficulty describing their technical issues,.

  • A few problems required vendor intervention.

  • Conflicting schedules between stores, technicians, and vendors made coordination tricky.

  • Certain issues were intermittent, making them harder to reproduce over the phone.

  • High call volume at times made it challenging to keep tickets organized and updated. (12 stores)

​

Solutions / Actions Taken

  • Asked clarifying questions to better understand user‑reported issues.

  • Used remote troubleshooting tools.

  • Prioritized urgent issues first while scheduling non‑critical tasks for later time slots.

  • Contacted vendors promptly with detailed descriptions, serial numbers, and error logs.

  • Followed up with stores and vendors to confirm progress and keep everyone informed.

  • Maintained organized notes and updated ticket statuses immediately after each call.

Reflections/Insights

Reflections / Insights

  • Clear communication is just as important as technical skill when supporting multiple stores.

  • Staying calm and patient helps users feel supported, even when they’re frustrated or stressed.

  • Coordinating with vendors taught me how important documentation and accuracy are for replacements and repairs.

  • I’m getting better at identifying patterns in recurring issues, which helps speed up troubleshooting.

  • Managing calls, tickets, and schedules at the same time showed me how essential organization is in IT support.

  • This experience helped me understand the bigger picture of how stores, IT teams, and vendors all rely on each other to keep operations running smoothly.

Weekly Internship Journal

Week 6 • Mar 25th, 2026

What I Did

Tasks Completed

  • Helped begin prep work for the dispensary remodel.

  • Assisted with identifying which equipment needed to be moved, labeled, or temporarily disconnected.

  • Observed how network cables, POS systems, and security devices were mapped before demolition.

  • Helped take notes of the current setup to document where everything is located.

​

Skills Used / Learned

  • I learned how to safely shut down and unplug equipment without risking data loss.

  • Basic IT hardware handling

  • Communication and teamwork

Challenges

  • Space was tight, so we had to move equipment carefully to avoid damaging anything.

  • One of the biggest challenges was working in a space that’s actively being remodeled. Equipment had to be moved carefully, and there wasn’t always a clear path to work.

  • The dispensary needed to stay partially functional during the remodel, so we had to disconnect things in a specific order to avoid interrupting operations.

Reflections/Insights

Reflections / Insights

  • I gained insight into how important adaptability is. Plans change constantly during construction, and IT has to adjust quickly.

  • IT work is basically problem solving mixed with prevention. A lot of the job is making sure future issues don't happen. 

  • Demodels are the perfect time to improve network layout, cable management, and equipment placement.

  • Documenting and labeling everything before remodeling is very important to make sure that everything works properly when completed to prevent future issues. 

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