A new Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway at Nueva Vista High School is preparing students for a career in a fast-growing field: cyber security.
Cyber security presents many career possibilities, from Security Analyst to Network Manager. Average salaries range from $83,170 to $146,360. At Nueva Vista, the pathway consists of two courses: Cyber Security I, which is currently in progress, and Cyber Security II.
“Cyber security’s important because nowadays everything’s connected online,” said Brian Mendoza, an 11th grader enrolled in the Cyber Security I course.
Brian has always been interested in computers and technology, cyber security has especially sparked his interest, and he can see himself further investing in the field. “The cyber security class interests me because I didn’t know much about cyber security or anything I do online, but now that I’m in this course I’ve learned so much already,” shared Brian. “I’ve learned how to protect myself...and I’ve learned how much cyber security can help us in our day-to-day lives. It’s a good class and I’m glad I have it.”
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The pathway was developed by former NVHS principal, Jenna Saugstad, and the Department of College & Career Readiness, led by Director Roberta Pace. Ms. Saugstad, now Director of Virtual Learning, sought a pathway that could provide students with the entry-level knowledge to pursue a rewarding career after high school and decided cyber security was the best fit after speaking with Kevin Brown, a substitute teacher with a background in the field.
Mr. Brown was a special agent for U.S. Army Counterintelligence before transitioning to the defense industry as a security coordinator for an aerospace company. Though his primary focus was not cyber security, elements of the field were present in his duties and he worked alongside many cyber security professionals, making him the right candidate to lead NVHS's new pathway. Mr. Brown was hired as a full-time teacher and now teaches both the CTE pathway and Social Science courses.
“The overarching goal of this Cyber Security I course is to lay that foundation for students so that if they choose to go on to RCC’s cyber security programs, they already have that foundational knowledge and can go there with a better chance of success,” shared Mr. Brown. “If they decide that the college or university route isn’t for them, cyber security is one of the fields where you can self-study and take certification tests.”
One of the first projects in Cyber Security I is to research and analyze cyber attack case studies. Students determine the nature of the attack, its orchestrators and victims, and its purpose in order to learn from past attacks, identify weaknesses that were exploited, and identify solutions.
The pathway is a great opportunity for those interested in the field and those simply seeking to fulfill an elective requirement.
“One of my biggest goals is for them to leave here - even if they’re not interested in a career - better knowing how to protect themselves and their families online, and what kind of threats are out there so they can defend against them on a personal level,” stated Mr. Brown.
