Key Takeaways
- Dylan Fritz, a senior computer science student with a minor in computer engineering, used a Missouri S&T Team Innovation Project (TIP) to gain hands‑on experience modernizing legacy mainframe systems.
- The TIP teamed S&T students with peers from Insper University in Brazil, resulting in a 36‑page white paper that examined the technical and organizational hurdles of updating decades‑old code.
- Fritz served as the primary liaison for sponsor Apex Systems, managing client communication, guiding research, and helping shape the final report.
- His work impressed Apex leaders, leading to an AI and innovation internship where he independently designs AI‑based solutions and collaborates across the company.
- The experience underscores how TIP bridges academia and industry, delivering project‑management, communication, and problem‑solving skills that translate directly to early‑career success.
Introduction to the Team Innovation Project
Missouri S&T’s Team Innovation Program (TIP) connects students with industry sponsors to solve real‑world challenges while providing structured mentorship and resources. Dr. Shou Wong, director of corporate sponsorships for the Kummer College of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development, praised the initiative, saying, “This is a great opportunity for Dylan and a phenomenal testament to the caliber of our TIP‑participating students in the eyes of our corporate sponsors.” The program’s model allowed Fritz to apply classroom theory to a pressing business problem sponsored by Apex Systems, an international technology firm.
Dylan Fritz’s Background and Motivation
Fritz, a senior majoring in computer science with a minor in computer engineering from St. Louis, has long been fascinated by low‑level computing and older computer architectures. He notes, “I’ve always been interested in low-level computing and older computer systems, so the idea that I could learn about mainframes and help solve a real‑world problem appealed to me.” This intrinsic curiosity drove him to seek out a TIP project that would let him explore legacy technology while contributing tangible value to a corporate partner.
Collaborative International Team Formation
The TIP paired Fritz with fellow S&T students Sean Chew and Samantha Chigwanda, as well as three peers from Insper University in Brazil: Bruno Zaltberg, Leonardo Aragao, and Julia Zanini. This geographically dispersed team brought diverse perspectives to the task of researching how companies can modernize aging mainframe computer systems. Regular virtual meetings bridged time zones and cultural differences, enabling the group to co‑author a comprehensive 36‑page white paper that reflected both American and Brazilian viewpoints on legacy IT challenges.
Research Focus: Modernizing Legacy Mainframe Systems
Many organizations—including banks, government agencies, and large enterprises—still rely on mainframe systems whose software has been continuously modified over decades. As the pool of programmers fluent in legacy languages such as COBOL and PL/I shrinks, maintaining and updating these environments becomes increasingly risky and costly. The team’s white paper examined these dependencies, highlighting that while artificial intelligence can assist in translating old code to modern languages, the deeper difficulty lies in grasping how the systems underpin business operations.
Challenges Identified: Beyond Technology
Fritz emphasized that the modernization effort is not purely technical. He explained, “The biggest issue is making sure you understand the system before you try to modernize it. It’s not just a technology problem, It’s a systems problem and a human problem.” This insight underscored the need for thorough documentation, stakeholder interviews, and process mapping before any code transformation could be attempted. The team concluded that successful modernization requires aligning technical upgrades with organizational change management and workforce training.
Fritz’s Role as Primary Liaison and Contributor
Throughout the project, Fritz acted as the main point of contact for Apex Systems, facilitating communication between the student team and corporate representatives. He helped schedule meetings, clarified expectations, and ensured that deliverables matched the sponsor’s objectives. In addition to liaison duties, Fritz contributed significantly to the research and writing sections of the white paper, synthesizing findings on AI‑assisted code translation and articulating the human‑centric challenges identified by the team.
From White Paper to Internship Offer
The quality of the team’s work attracted attention from Apex leadership. During his interview, Fritz discussed both the TIP project and his personal research interests in artificial intelligence, particularly how AI systems can develop long‑term understanding through interaction with their environments. He recalled, “I’ve been given a problem space and I have to design the problem and architect the solution with AI myself.” This conversation convinced Apex that Fritz possessed both the technical aptitude and the innovative mindset needed for an AI‑focused role, resulting in an internship offer.
Internship Experience at Apex Systems
Fritz began his AI and innovation internship at Apex Systems on June 2. In the role, he is tasked with researching and developing an AI‑based solution while collaborating with employees across various departments. He enjoys the autonomy to frame problems, select appropriate machine‑learning techniques, and prototype architectures that could enhance Apex’s service offerings. The internship has allowed him to explore the same embedded‑systems and AI topics that drive his academic research, bridging theory and practice in a professional setting.
Broader Implications of TIP for Student Career Development
Beyond the immediate internship, Fritz credits the TIP experience with cultivating essential workplace skills. He notes, “Projects like this prepare you for industry because you’re working on real problems where everything isn’t already mapped out for you. You have to figure things out, work with a team and deliver something meaningful.” Through the project, he gained practice in project management, client communication, cross‑cultural collaboration, and problem‑solving—competencies that have already proven valuable in his Apex responsibilities. The program’s structure, mentorship, and industry exposure serve as a catalyst for translating academic knowledge into career‑ready expertise.
Conclusion: Fritz’s Outlook and Advice
Reflecting on his early weeks at Apex, Fritz describes the internship as “a dream job” that aligns closely with his interests and demonstrates the tangible outcomes of seizing opportunities like TIP. He encourages fellow students to engage actively with industry‑sponsored projects, emphasizing that such experiences not only clarify career aspirations but also build the practical foundation needed to thrive in fast‑evolving fields such as artificial intelligence and systems engineering. As he approaches graduation, Fritz feels confident that the blend of academic rigor and real‑world project work will continue to propel his professional journey.