Army veteran, now TSTC student, sets sights on cyberattackers

(HARLINGEN, Texas) - For six years Samuel Steele served in the U.S. Army, and the talent that he developed as a network communications systems specialist has led him to an education at Texas State Technical College's Harlingen campus.

"I relocated to the Rio Grande Valley after my military career and looked for a job in the telecommunication and networking field," Steele said. "I had difficulty finding a job because the job descriptions on several job postings listed a requirement for a certificate, associate or bachelor's degree. I explored the college's website and found the Cybersecurity program."

While Steele browsed through TSTC's Cybersecurity webpage, the program's merit as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, as well as its advanced technical certificate in Digital Forensics Specialist, caught his interest.

"I thought it was unique that TSTC offers an advanced certificate," he said. "I've always wanted to do that type of work in law enforcement. I enjoy working for our country."

Now Steele, a former Dallas resident living in Port Isabel, is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity. He plans to pursue the program's advanced technical certificate sometime after graduation.

TSTC's Cybersecurity program is offered in a performance-based education (PBE) format. In PBE, students work with program staff to develop a schedule in two-hour time blocks. Lectures, videos and other learning content is online, and hands-on work is done in labs.

"I appreciate how the instructors said they are available whenever we need them," Steele said. "I'm getting adjusted to a flexible, at-your-own-pace education."

Alex Alcoser is one of Steele's instructors.

"Some new students perceive Cybersecurity based on what they saw on television," Alcoser said. "However, they're in awe when they're engaged with an assignment. It's exciting to introduce new students to the magic of fending off cyberattackers."

Steele said TSTC has given him a new outlook.

"I really appreciate that there are opportunities for veterans to get trained for a career that leads us straight into the workforce," he said.

According to onetonline.org, digital forensics analysts in Texas can earn a median salary of $100,720 a year. The website projected that there would be a 20% increase in the number of such jobs in the state from 2020 to 2030.

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

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