ASPIRE Intern Blog: Behind Every Laptop Upgrade

• July 10, 2026
• Written by: Gabbie O'Grady
• Internships

By Tom Tarnacki, ITS Technician Assistant – Intern (Summer 2026)

At RETTEW, the ITS Team doesn’t settle for the bare minimum. We’re always looking for ways to go above and beyond for our end users.

One of the key ways we deliver this level of service is through laptop upgrades. The process is straightforward: we identify the most outdated devices and take the initiative to replace them. These upgrades ensure end users have the best possible experience completing their work without technical disruptions.

Being involved in this process has given me a strong sense of responsibility and ownership. It has allowed me to work independently while also making a direct, positive impact on end users. Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many great employees across the company.

You might be wondering what this process looks like. It begins by checking our upgrade board to see who is next in line and retrieving their device from the supply closet. I then email the end user to let them know their upgrade is in progress. After that, I assign the system in EZOffice and Microsoft Intune and run a quick scan to ensure the laptop is ready for deployment.

From there, I either ship the laptop to the user’s office or place it on their desk if they are in Lancaster or Mechanicsburg. Once they receive it, I guide them through setup using ScreenConnect for remote access, ensuring the device meets all their needs.

This process also ties into another project I’ve worked on creating clear and easy-to-follow software documentation. I use these guides during setup to efficiently install required software, helping streamline the process for the entire ITS team.

Through this experience, I’ve developed hands-on technical skills, strengthened my communication abilities, and improved my problem-solving techniques. From laptop upgrades to documentation, ITS standards, and HelpDesk tickets, I’ve been exposed to a wide range of responsibilities, making this internship an incredibly valuable and rewarding experience.