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September 12, 2024When Century College alum Paul Robichaud was navigating high school, he sought a new challenge and opted to become a Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) student, a pivotal decision that set him on a path leading to a successful career in cyber security.
Paul was interested in computers and IT from an early age. At Century, former faculty member Scott Simonsen guided him to take IT classes, and he earned an AAS degree in Information and Telecommunications Technology.
Today, Paul serves as a Cybersecurity Liaison with the Department of Defense, stationed at Fort Liberty in North Carolina.
Century College PSEO
“By the time I was finishing my junior year of high school, I needed a change of environment. I found it very stressful to be sitting in class all day, every day, with no real breaks other than lunch.
“I did PSEO during my senior year of high school, and the college setting allowed me to thrive. I had much greater control of my schedule and I was treated as an adult. It was a great experience for me; I would highly recommend PSEO to anyone in high school wanting to experience college and who can be a successful learner without constant direction.”
Blending Problem-Solving Skills, Creativity, and Computer Science
A natural problem-solver, Paul has always enjoyed puzzles and computer games. He enjoys music and appreciates art, and he also sees a natural link between creativity and solving problems in IT.
“Both problem-solving skills and creativity have been incredibly important during my career. My first few roles were in systems administration and network engineering; both of these required a great deal of problem-solving skills to troubleshoot issues, as well as creativity to engineer new solutions.
“As I transitioned to cybersecurity-focused roles, both have been equally valuable. After several years of experience working as a cybersecurity analyst, I have found that identifying malicious cyber activity is as much an art as it is a science. You have to be able to think outside the box, and you have to be able to think about a situation from both the defender’s and the attacker’s mindset.”
Additionally, Paul notes, “I especially enjoy role-playing games (RPGs). Modern video games can be great experiences for players, with many offering rich storylines, interesting characters, expansive worlds to explore, and thought-provoking choices to make.”
Complementary Learning at Work and In The Classroom
While he was attending Century College, Paul was also working part-time as a Systems Administrator for a small web hosting company. “In that role, I learned a great deal and developed many skills,” he remembers. “My experiences at work and at Century complemented and built upon each other. It was a perfect match; one that gave me a significant boost in my career.”
In addition, Paul participated in Century College’s Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC), which also added to his education. “My experiences with CCDC were very helpful, especially when I transitioned to a cybersecurity analyst role. Participating in CCDC is great preparation for working as part of a real-world cybersecurity team, particularly if you’re working in a Security Operations Center (SOC) environment.”
A Fortunate Career Break
Upon graduation, Paul discovered that he was overqualified for many entry-level IT positions in the Twin Cities. Fortunately, a family member connected him with an IT recruiter, who secured him an entry-level network engineer role at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, marking the beginning of his post-Century career.
The Importance of Education
Paul attributes his career advancement to the hands-on technical knowledge and skills he acquired at Century College.
“The IT and cybersecurity fields are constantly changing and evolving. Advances in technology, such as AI and quantum computing, are revolutionizing entire industries,” he explains. “For those working in IT and cybersecurity, understanding these technologies is crucial, and that requires constant education, whatever form it may take.”
Ambitious Career Goals
Three years ago, Paul embarked on the next phase of his educational journey by enrolling in online courses at the University of Maryland Global Campus. He is set to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity by the end of the current semester.
“I am happy to say that almost all of my classes transferred without issue,” Paul adds. “My current plan is to continue building my skills and experience, with the eventual goal of being in a senior-level technical director or advisor position.”
Advice for New Century College Students
When Paul started at Century, he heard an inspirational story from a faculty member at orientation. “He talked about how people can be positive and negative aspects of other people’s lives and emphasized how important it is to be a positive part of the lives of those you care about, despite their struggles and personal flaws. At the end of his speech, his message was “Finish what you started”.
“That would be my advice to a prospective student at Century,” Paul reflects. “‘Finish what you started.” Whatever your educational goals are, don’t give up. College can be challenging at times, but there are many resources available at Century to help you through those challenges.”
Paul Robichaud’s journey from a high school student seeking a change to a cybersecurity professional underscores the transformative power of education and perseverance.
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