Many local companies are finding it difficult to fill vacant cyber and technology positions. With a projected global shortage of two million cybersecurity professionals by 2019***, it is a critically important time to educate young people and prepare them for future roles in technology, cybersecurity and the data science industry.
GW is partnering with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and Germanna Community College (GCC) on a series of symposiums designed to educate students in the D.C. metro area about their academic options to prepare them for the sizzling hot job market. The first symposium in the series was held recently on Oct. 14 at NOVA’s Annandale Campus.
The educational symposiums are designed for high school students, community college and university students and career switchers interested in technology and cyber careers. They are free and open to the public.
"I developed the idea to organize an Academic Pathways Symposium to Cyber and Tech careers to help inform students about the needs of the industry, along with Dr. Mark Beattie, our NOVA partner," said Dr. Olivia Blackmon, assistant program director of the Integrated Information, Science and Technology program. "Often times students go into Cyber and/or Tech degree programs because they hear about high salaries, or the availability of jobs, without knowing about the actual roles or responsibilities they will have in a position. This symposium was geared towards providing them with a clearer picture of the pathway from high school, to college and the roles/functions they will perform once they are hired in a desired position."
Attendees at the recent Symposium benefitted by attending a series of four panels focusing on:
- Academic Preparation: Professors from GW, NOVA and GCC provided insights on how students can prepare academically. Students can plan their academic path early by preparing for a rigorous college course load as early as middle school and continuing their education. They can pick a path that works for their goals, with options for community college, four-year degrees and/or advanced degrees.
- Student Experiences: GW and NOVA alumni and current students discussed a student’s perspective on the successes and challenges of the cyber, data science and technology programs.
- Industry Insights: Industry leaders presented on the critical needs of the workforce, and what they are searching for in a successful candidate. Panelists included representatives from the International Monetary Fund, Action Guru, Scriyb, NCIS, Mitre and Tek Systems.
- Career Readiness Panel: Leading recruiters discussed building a C.V., informational interviewing, networking strategies, as well as soft and hard skills employers are looking for in a candidate. Panelists included representatives from GW Career Services, NOVA Career Services, Tek Systems Recruiting.
“The jobs of today, tomorrow, and the future look nothing like the last 3 years, with Cryptocurriences, ICO’s, Drones, Cyber-security, and Game design - it was super encouraging to see such a large NOVA turnout of students on a wet cold Saturday morning, said Career Readiness Panelist Christopher Etesse, co-founder, President and CEO of Scriyb. “Answering their thoughtful questions about our careers and future opportunities was a tremendous success that should be scaled across the Commonwealth to increase opportunities for students and satisfy employers need to fill these critical positions.”
Additionally, NOVA’s SySTEMic Solutions department engaged students at all levels with hands-on educational programs, robotics displays, information on their STEM expos, industry site visits, job shadowing, internships and professional development
Stay tuned for additional events at a NOVA location near you. For more information contact Dr. Olivia M. Blackmon at (571) 205-9467 or email oblackmon@gwu.edu.
***The Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), a leading non-profit information security advocacy group, “predicts there will be a global shortage of two million cyber security professionals by 2019.