Pathway to Cybersecurity and Network Administration

Aaron Sabey has always been passionate about computers. At SPSCC, he has continued to expand his knowledge as a student in the Information Technology pathway and is prepared to enter the workforce to help others keep their devices and data safe.

“Information Technology is a community-based field. A lot of our work is built around working with others and getting things done. Having that practice at SPSCC is great for our future as well as giving an accurate representation of the workplace,” said Aaron. “I chose to attend SPSCC because I want to succeed.”

Aaron is a student in SPSCC’s Information Technology pathway with a specific focus on Cybersecurity and Network Administration (CNA). The CNA program covers skills ranging from learning how to protect small consumer computers to properly configuring mass networks. Aaron discovered his interest in IT when he was in the seventh grade. His middle school introduced Mouse Squad, a class that taught students the fundamentals of IT security.

“I took the class because I was sort of interested in computers at the time and I just ended up falling in love with it,” said Aaron. “Since then, I just furthered my education in it throughout high school and now throughout college.”

During his time at SPSCC, Aaron has been able to explore his passion for computers. One of his favorite experiences so far has been his capstone class. For the first time, Aaron could be hands-on with the equipment and he was excited to be able to work alongside his classmates in person.

“I got to experience this mass cooperation between students where we may not know each other but we were brought together by discussions of how to properly wire things up or what ports to use,” he said. “It’s really great for connecting people.”

A large part of Aaron’s journey has been the constant support from the IT professors.

“They’re phenomenal. They want you to succeed more than anything. If you’re having trouble, they’ll help you figure out what’s wrong and help you find and understand the solution,” said Aaron. “It’s not just patience, it’s the passion for teaching that comes through.”

After graduating, Aaron plans on entering the workforce in IT security, network management, or as a helpdesk operator. Once he has a few years of experience under his belt, Aaron wants to return to college and further his education. With the IT field constantly evolving, Aaron is excited by the fact that there will always be something new for him to learn.

“If you’re looking at SPSCC or the CNA program specifically because you have an interest, go for it,” said Aaron. “You’ll learn a lot of helpful knowledge that will always be relevant. IT knowledge will always be valuable and in demand. Go for it because you’ll learn skills that will benefit you throughout your entire career and life.”