CIT major Sirvaughn Hobdy ’17 found a job as a remote support engineer before graduating, joining the front line of 网络安全 experts keeping data safe from hackers.
数字防御
Whether you grew up as a millenial or as part of Gen Z, chances are you know what a digital scam is. Sometimes it’s a badly written email asking for money to be wired somewhere, ASAP. Other times it’s a website link that just doesn’t look quite … right. Occasionally the scam is done so well, we accidentally click on the link.
When that happens, businesses call Sirvaughn Hobdy ’17 to make sure their data is safe.
“网络安全 is one of the most important fields today,” said the Smyrna, GA, native. “如果你上网或看电视, the biggest thing they’re going to talk about is making sure your accounts are secure.”
After graduating in 2017 with a degree in 计算机信息技术 (CIT), Sirvaughn found a job working as a remote support engineer with 综合IT解决方案, a 网络安全 support company based in 麻萨诸塞州. 在他的角色中, he helps a range of clients across the country troubleshoot issues with their networks, 服务器, 防火墙, 还有杀毒软件, making sure that their information stays out of the hands of hackers.
“在呼叫中心, 我会接电话, 对每张票进行分类, 排除问题, 看看能不能解决这个问题,西沃恩说. The medical metaphor is an apt one, as information leaks can devastate the health of an organization in an instant.
救援服务台
After taking a class titled Networks and Security his junior year, Sirvaughn knew that he had a preference for 网络安全 over web design.
“We were going through the basic levels of a network, and also going into security and cryptography,他说. “Going into detail with those two aspects, that definitely caught my attention. When we started doing labs and test procedures, I thought, ‘This is really important stuff.’ ”
‘The thing that people don’t realize about Elms is that even though it’s a small school, they have so many connections that will lead you to the best career path you want to take.’
To prepare for his career as a tech support guru, Sirvaughn completed an internship with the Elms IT department during his senior year. 与 帮助台, he assisted faculty, students, and staff in solving their technology woes. This experience paid off, as he had a job offer in hand before he even graduated.
“Internships help you get your foot in the door,” the Agawam, MA, local said. “You’re making a name for yourself. When companies look at your resume, internships help a ton.”
根据…的建议 水苍玉霍夫曼, associate professor of computer science, Sirvaughn attended a campus career fair, where he was able to network with representatives from 综合IT解决方案. After sharing his real-world experience, Sirvaughn landed an interview and eventually a job.
“The thing that people don’t realize about Elms is that even though it’s a small school, they have so many connections that will lead you to the best career path you want to take,他说.
‘网络安全 is one of the most important fields today.’
目前来看, Sirvaughn is planning on gaining more experience and diversifying his skills as a remote support engineer. While his expertise is already impressive — he and his colleagues work on Microsoft Office 365, 集中器的边缘, Sharepoint, and other software and computer applications — he is motivated to keep honing his craft.
“As a managed service provider, we work with so many clients on a given day,他说. “We use a lot more software than internal IT would. We work on Microsoft Office and Visual-Basic programming modules, as well as all sorts of 防火墙 and anti-viruses. That’s definitely a good benefit.”
最终, Sirvaughn hopes to become an information security analyst, or work his way up to a level 3 tech support role at his current job, handling more advanced tickets and strategizing about the best ways to protect client information.
主修 计算机信息技术 at 榆树大学 prepares you for exciting careers in the IT and business industries. 我们的 网络安全 minor offers you the chance to further specialize your skill set, too.