TSTC helps military veteran and alum transition to cybersecurity career

(MARSHALL, Texas) - U.S. military veteran and Texas State Technical College alumnus Victor Stacy recently returned to TSTC's Marshall campus to pursue an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity.

"I wanted to do a career change," the Texarkana native said. "I've got 25 good years as a DOD (Department of Defense) civilian, so I could retire again. But I'm just not ready to retire."

Stacy joined the Air Force after graduating from high school. He worked in aerospace ground support equipment for 7 1/2 years before transferring to the Army.

Stacy received his first associate degree from TSTC in 2000 with a specialization in robotics and instrumentation to help advance his career with the Army.

"It helped me to get my commission and allowed me to go on active duty," he said. "One of the requirements for you to advance in the military is to get your bachelor's degree. And then you want to get your master's degree as well if you want to advance to lieutenant colonel or colonel and above. So I also have my master's degree."

Stacy's education opened doors for him to travel the world and serve in various overseas operations, including Operation Iraqi Freedom. He retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel.

Chandler Conner, a Cybersecurity instructor at the Marshall campus, said Stacy is developing skills that can make him an asset to the world of cybersecurity.

"The qualities he brings from his years of service in the military - discipline, adaptability and a strategic mindset - align perfectly with the demands of this industry," Conner said. "I am excited to see Victor's passion for learning translate into a successful career in the cybersecurity field."

Stacy is focusing solely on his education and hopes to use his future degree to work for the U.S. government. He plans to graduate in fall 2026.

"TSTC means an opportunity to achieve my educational goals," Stacy said.

According to onetonline.org, information security engineers earn a median salary of $100,720 in Texas, where the number of these jobs was projected to grow 20% between 2020 and 2030.

Besides the Marshall campus, Cybersecurity is available at TSTC's East Williamson County, Fort Bend County, Harlingen, North Texas and Waco campuses. The program is also available online.

Registration for TSTC's spring semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

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