Next-gen cybersecurity: ASU student’s path from the classroom to IT corporate
In June 2024, Yan Shoshitaishvili, an associate professor of computer science and engineering for the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, and his team were awarded a grant from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to establish “an institute that will educate the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.”
In light of this new development, our team spoke with Israel Garcia, a fourth-year student studying applied computing in cybersecurity, to learn more about his experience on campus.
Garcia’s first exposure to cybersecurity came from Hollywood blockbusters, where hackers were frequently seen breaking into mainframes and saving the day behind the scenes.
“What really sparked my interest in cybersecurity was movies,” Garcia said. “I talked to someone who’s worked in the field before, and they explained everything they did in their career. It sounded like something I would love doing, and I just went for it.”
Through his experiences studying cybersecurity at ASU, Garcia recently secured a job with a private logistics software company called MyCarrier. Garcia credits his on-campus connections for securing the position.
“My job is to look for errors in the software,” Garcia said. “It’s a beginner-level position, but the company knows I am a student and have been very flexible with me.”
While working in a corporate environment was initially a big transition for Garcia, he has learned firsthand what his future positions might look like.
“I’ve never had a job where I’ve sat in front of a computer screen all day,” Garcia said. “So far, I’ve learned how to work with different kinds of people and how to work in an environment I was once unfamiliar with. It’s been a great experience.”
Working for MyCarrier has opened Garcia’s mind up to life after graduation.
“At MyCarrier, there is a shadow program, so I plan to join it when I get closer to graduation,” Garcia said. “Then, I could transfer into their cybersecurity department and secure a full-time position for myself. A dream job of mine would be to work for the FBI someday, but this is just the first step.”
Garcia initially started his higher education at a local community college before transferring to ASU. He was drawn to the university for a variety of reasons.
“I transferred to ASU because of the incredible opportunity I had here,” Garcia said. “Also, my sister graduated from ASU and always recommended it, which had a big influence on me.”
When asked about his transition from community college to ASU, Garcia emphasized the key differences in his experiences.
“The ASU campus is much more alive,” Garcia said. “There are so many activities and organizations you can join. The professors have been great, and I’ve made lots of new friends along the way.”
Garcia cited a specific professor who has made an impact on his ASU experience: Christopher Sulla, an assistant teaching professor for the Department of Information Systems.
“I took Professor Sulla’s class last semester,” Garcia said. “He had experience in the field and would always tell stories about it, which grew my interest even more.”
When asked what advice he would give students just starting off studying cybersecurity, Garcia urged them to persevere throughout the program.
“My advice would be to not give up and to work with the people around you,” Garcia said. “There have been moments where I felt like giving up or quitting, wondered if this career path isn’t for me. But giving yourself time to start assignments or ask for help is the most important thing you can do.”
“Regardless of the major, it’s important to give yourself time and breaks while working through assignments. A lot of people, and I’m guilty of this myself, wait to do something until the last minute. If you need guidance, people are there to help support you. No one is alone.”