Q&A With Jamie Hicks-Furgang, Executive Director of Development and Alumni Engagement

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin
    1. What are you bringing to your new role as director of alumni and development?

I bring 20 years of community building and external relations expertise. I am a thinker, a sharer, and a connector. I love people, and I love school, so combining those two passions together each day keeps my brain and heart in lockstep with one another. For Excelsior, I bring a fresh perspective and an abundance of positivity. I will try new programs, share ideas, and I will listen.

    1. What’s your vision for the future of the Alumni Association?

My vision for the Alumni Association is for all 182,000 Excelsior alumni to be connected in a way that feels right for them. Excelsior alumni have experiences—both as a student at Excelsior and after they earned their degree — that are worthy of sharing. So many alumni want to share their time and talent with the College, and we want to pave the way for that to happen.

    1. What are you most excited about?

I am most excited to meet and connect with alumni all over the world who want to share their Excelsior story. I have quickly learned that no two alumni are alike, and that Excelsior has been a game-changer in the lives of so many.

    1. What role do you think the Alumni Association should play for alumni?

The role of any Alumni Association should be a place of belonging. It is a group of people with one special thing in common—their Excelsior degree. The Alumni Association encourages alumni to stay connected, share their successes, and serve as advocates for the College, its programs, and future generations of students and graduates. All Excelsior graduates are members of the Excelsior College Alumni Association. There are no special fees or exclusive events. It is open and accessible to all. The Alumni Association is the next step in a student’s Excelsior journey and should embody the mission and values of the College.

    1. How do you foresee alumni to be involved in the Alumni Association?

Alumni can be involved with the college in so many ways, and we hope to share more about these opportunities this spring/summer. For now, I would say spreading the good word of Excelsior is top of mind. There is no better way for alumni to show their pride than to refer a friend or family member. Share your story and share our stories! Tell us what you are up to and share our social posts, so others know what we are up to. Make your connections our connections. Career mentoring and advancement opportunities are also top of mind. Are you hiring? Do you need a job? Use the Excelsior network. And, of course, donating to our scholarship programs to pay it forward has both immediate and lasting impact.

We strive for alumni to be connected to each other and to the College, to keep Excelsior top of mind, and to give back in ways that fill their hearts!

 

Excelsior College Partners with The Cyber Security Forum Initiative (CSFI)

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. — Excelsior College is proud to announce a partnership with The Cyber Security Forum Initiative (CSFI). CSFI is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Omaha, Neb., and Washington, DC.

CSFI assists cybersecurity professionals from different fields, including the military, private, and government sectors. The partnership gives CSFI employees, fellows, advisory board members, and their spouses/domestic partners a savings of up to 20 percent on tuition at Excelsior College

Amelia Estwick, PhD, director of the National Cybersecurity Institute at Excelsior College, stated, ”We are excited about the CSFI partnership and the opportunity to help support their mission of providing training and education to individuals pursuing a cybersecurity career.”

Paul de Souza, founder of CSFI The National Cybersecurity Institute at Excelsior College is dedicated to assisting individuals pursuing cybersecurity from various sectors to meet the challenges in cybersecurity policy, technology, and education. In addition, Excelsior College is designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. Excelsior offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program as well as a Master of Science in Cybersecurity program.

“The Cyber Security Forum Initiative (CSFI) is delighted to have an educational alliance with Excelsior College to support a more robust cybersecurity workforce,” said Paul de Souza, the founder of CSFI. “Excelsior College demonstrates an exceptional mastery in the field of cybersecurity. Working with this fine institution will enhance CSFI mission capabilities in support of the cyber warfighter and industry. This effort is a clear example of what the right leadership can accomplish.”

 

 

 

CSFI logo CSFI’s collaboration with Excelsior College can help individuals currently working in the cybersecurity field and individuals looking to pursue a cyber career by providing them with both practical experience and knowledge to protect against cyber-attacks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Media Contact: Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-410-4624

About Excelsior College
Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is an accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity. Learn more at excelsior.edu.

Media Contact: Paul de Souza, pdesouza@csfi.us

About CSFI:
The Cyber Security Forum Initiative (CSFI) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Omaha, Neb., and in Washington. DC, with a mission “to provide Cyber Warfare awareness, guidance, and security solutions through collaboration, education, volunteer work, and training to assist the US Government, US Military, Commercial Interests, and International Partners.” CSFI was born out of the collaboration of dozens of experts, and today CSFI is comprised of a large community of nearly 81,000 cyber security and cyber warfare professionals from the government, military, private sector, and academia.

CSFI Disclaimer: Although CSFI strongly supports the defense of the United States and U.S. allies through the provision of cyber security-oriented educational and training programs in the United States, in other NATO countries, and in countries that are identified as “non-NATO major allies,” CSFI is neither a part of, nor represents in any capacity, any U.S. Government agency, including any of the agencies of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), nor any other governmental entity in the U.S. or in any other country.

 

The Importance of Mentorship

Posted on by Tammy Spenziero

Whether you are an adult learner, a teenager in high school, an only child, grandma, CEO, start-up entrepreneur, accomplished artist… (the list goes on), a mentor is important to anyone at any age or phase in life. Often, mentorship includes folks who must meet in person, a structured plan, an issue or problem that needs fixing, or deliverables and action items to check off a list and accomplish. This can be mentoring for you but there is no one way or best practice because it is dependent on the individuals involved. Everyone’s needs differ, and a mentoring relationship does not need to follow a structure.

The best mentoring relationships happen and grow organically. You may have someone you have always leaned on for advice or someone you have looked up to and asked for tips— this is your mentor. Many times, we don’t think of these people in our lives as “mentors” because the word mentor sounds so formal, like a job. What you need or seek out of a mentor and how often you connect or share information is completely up to you.

It is a great idea to have more than one mentor to allow for a variety of opinions, experiences, information, and sharing that you can learn and grow from. Is there a career you desire? A hobby or skill that you want to master? Do you want to connect with someone to help provide positive affirmations in your life? Do you need companionship and feel disconnected or alone? Reasons for mentoring relationships are all different. The formal definition of a mentor is described as “a formal and trusted advisor.” There are also similar words associated with the word mentor: guide, confidant, counselor, consultant, therapist, and guru. Mentoring is sharing wisdom, knowledge, and providing support.

Having a mentor is invaluable for adult learners. A mentor can offer knowledge and experience because they have achieved and accomplished a goal that the adult learner is working toward.  Particularly in higher education, students and alumni paired together can be a good match.  As a student you are working toward a goal that your mentor (the alum) has achieved. The mentor can provide you with so much insight based on their academic experience, career achievements, and life goals. This wisdom and knowledge from another person’s experience is invaluable to the less experienced.

Great student and alumni mentoring relationships include mutual similarities, trust, and boundaries, as well as an agreed way of communicating and building the connection. Titles, seniority, and age are all irrelevant when it comes to a mentoring partnership. All that matters is learning something from your mentor. Many times, formal mentoring programs take place at work or in a school where mentees are assigned a mentor match. Informal mentoring is when the mentee selects their mentor based on a common interest and the two agree on working together in a way that is beneficial for both of them.

A mentor is different from someone who is in a coaching capacity. For example, in my role as director of career services, I help provide students the tools, resources, and personal connections to help them improve a skill for a job and I offer continuous support through career development phases. In addition, there is a difference between mentoring and academic instruction. Faculty instructors teach to transmit knowledge through assignments and assessments.

Research shows excellent mentors are those who are committed to your success; are trusting, patient, and amazing listeners; are knowledgeable, nonjudgmental, and provide feedback; and are leaders and have common sense. Sounds like the perfect date to bring home to the parents, right?

Having a mentor is important to achieving goals. Mentors can connect you to others in their network, allowing you to grow and learn from a variety of people with similar interests. When it comes to finding a mentor, take your time, do your homework, and connect with like-minded people with similar experiences. For students, finding an alumni mentor is an excellent source when it comes to academic and career goals. Alumni were once in the same shoes as the student and can provide guidance based on experience and resources used to achieve their goals. This also allows alumni to connect with their alma mater and give back in a meaningful way. In addition, this can also assist alumni in finding recruits for their own organizations. Students want to know what it takes to be successful in the industry. Alumni associations, career services departments, and academic advisors can work together to develop students’ career interests and goals through student/alumni mentoring programs that are beneficial. Interested in a liberal arts degree? Learn more.

 

 

Dead Men Do Tell Tales

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Kathryn Komdat, a forensic autopsy technician and funeral director, makes sure they’re heard

When many people hear the word “mortuary,” “funeral home,” or “morgue,” they might think of horror movies and crime shows, and the hair on their arms may even stand up. For Kathryn Komdat of Averill Park, New York, it’s daily life. Komdat is a New York State-licensed funeral director and a forensic autopsy technician at Albany Medical Center, and her jobs are nothing like the movies or tv shows.

As Komdat puts it, she grew up around death. Her father has owned Perry-Komdat Funeral Chapel Inc. in Averill Park for 40 years, and Komdat has witnessed many wakes and funerals. She says that’s why she decided to pursue a degree in mortuary science from Hudson Valley Community College. While attending school, she worked in the ER at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, New York, from 2011 to 2016, but she found it hard to see people in dire situations. “I hated seeing people in pain, like in cardiac arrest. I hated that. I hated the in-between struggle,” she says. That realization led her to make a move to working in the Anatomical Gift Program at Albany Medical Center.

Albany Medical Center’s Anatomical Gift Program allows individuals to donate their bodies to medical science when they die. Komdat’s responsibility was to set up cadavers for dissections. After she began doing that, she discovered she had a real interest in it and wanted to pursue a new career. “Once I was dissecting bodies, I was like, wow, I want to do this in a forensic setting, because they’d do cases like murders, suicides, all that,” she recalls.

To make the career change, Komdat needed to go back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree. She learned about Excelsior College while researching online schools and discovered many of her credits from Hudson Valley Community College, would transfer to Excelsior. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in May 2019 and took a job as a forensic autopsy technician at Albany Medical Center. “Without my bachelor’s degree, I probably wouldn’t have gotten this job,” she says.

In the Anatomical Gift Program, the cadavers were from adults 18 and older who willingly donated their bodies, but Komdat quickly learned that in the Albany Medical Center morgue, bodies came in from people, including young children, who didn’t have a choice in their death and sometimes met tragic ends. Surprisingly, although the job was new for her, the transition wasn’t difficult. “I’ve been around death my whole life: being in the mortuary, then doing the anatomical gift program, and now this—I’ve had steps to guide me. I feel like I wasn’t just thrown into it. Some other people get thrown into it,” she says.

Komdat enjoys working as a forensic autopsy technician because in some situations, such as with murders, examining a body is like solving a mystery. She works with the police often and sees many crime scene photos. That is part of what Komdat enjoys so much about her job: she likes learning the backstory of the people she comes across. As a result, she feels empowered as a final voice for the deceased victim.

In addition to her job at Albany Medical Center, Komdat works at her father’s funeral home and at both the funeral home and the morgue, she has seen an increase in volume. Komdat speculates this may be not only because of deaths due to the coronavirus but also due to drug overdoses.

Komdat says she wishes people knew more about what her jobs entail. She thinks that what is portrayed on television and in movies isn’t correct and says that a forensic autopsy technician and funeral director are underappreciated jobs. Komdat wants people to know that they’re important, albeit perhaps undesirable, jobs. She recommends that those interested in the field try them first to know for sure whether they are a right fit. Komdat knew they were the right fit for her after growing up in the field and having years of experience. Even though she explored other career paths, she knows with certainty that she was meant to work in this field.

 

Excelsior College’s Tuition Payment Plans Help Adult Learners Achieve Academic Goals

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

The cost of college need not prevent adult learners from reaching their academic goals. Potential students who are concerned about financing their education should know about the many payment options available, including tuition payment plans that make paying for college fit into any household budget.

Excelsior College works with students interested in tuition payment plans through a variety of options. Each is designed to ease financial burdens that students feel may prevent them from earning their degree.

Excelsior College makes college affordability part of the school’s mission. That mission also includes a focus on providing educational opportunities to those historically underrepresented in higher education. In many cases, adult learners at Excelsior College are the first in their family to attend college. Tuition costs should not become a roadblock in their path to academic success.

Online College with Low Monthly Payments

In some cases, adult learners attend school while also working full-time. They may already have started a family and taken on other financial obligations. For them, pay-as-you-go college tuition is better than paying a large sum upfront.

Excelsior College provides students payment options on their online accounts. Every option offered by Excelsior College is interest-free but does require a $25 set-up fee ($15 for the exams payment plan). The options include tuition payment plans as well as exam and fee payments.

Payment options offered by Excelsior College include:

  • Exams. Two payments. Students make a test appointment after the final payment is made.
  • Undergraduate and graduate tuition. Two to six monthly payments made while completing courses. The number of payments available is based on the registration date.
  • Multi-Source Enrollment. Two to six payments. The agreement admits a student into a degree program.
  • Student Services Annual Fee. Two to six payments. The agreement extends enrollment services for a year.

Students pay the set-up fee and first installment when starting a payment plan. They also receive a schedule for remaining payments. For students who use a pay-as-you-go college tuition plan, Excelsior College grants students the option to ask for one payment plan deferral per plan.

Advantages of Tuition Payment Plans

A good place for prospective students to start investigating their payment options is to use Excelsior College’s tuition cost calculator that estimates the time and cost to complete a degree.

Students who decide to use a tuition payment plan enjoy many advantages. The set-up fee is small and no interest accumulates on the amount owed. That makes a tuition payment plan less costly than a student loan. There is no large upfront payment to make before starting classes.

For Excelsior College, affordability ranks among the school’s other core values that include accessibility and completion, excellence, trustworthiness, collaboration, and equity and inclusion. Students should not let cost block them from earning a degree. A tuition payment plan offers them a viable option to attain their academic goals.

 

Larry Arnold, BA in Sociology, 1975

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

After retiring from a career as an attorney, Larry Arnold of Morgantown, West Virginia, volunteers as a summer gardener at the Sites Homestead in the Monongahela National Forest. In addition to earning his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Excelsior (then Regents) College, Arnold also earned a JD from Detroit College of Law and a Post-JD from University of Denver College of Law.

Jamie Thompson, BA ’94

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Jamie Thompson, BA ’94, of Sparks, Nevada, has enjoyed a long and decorated career with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in Nevada where he wrote and edited the award-winning management plan for the Black Rock Desert High Rock Canyon-Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area. Thompson earned his JD from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 2000 and credits the BA he earned from Excelsior (then Regents College) with his success: “Graduating from Regents College allowed me to break through an advancement ceiling I’d hit in my federal career with the U.S. Forest Service in South Dakota’s Black Hills. The Regents College degree also enabled me to enter law school, which created almost unlimited possibilities in my career and in retirement. I will be forever grateful to Regents College.” Thompson is also a published author and looks forward to publishing a new science fiction novel this year.

Excelsior College Partners with Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Military Women's Memorial logo Albany, N.Y. — Excelsior College is proud to announce a partnership with the Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation, which operates the Military Women’s Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. The Military Women’s Memorial is the leading memorial and education center honoring women’s contributions to the service of our nation, beginning with the American Revolution. It honors the nearly 3 million women who have served or are serving in or with the U.S. Armed Forces through the unique opportunity to register their service and share their stories.

Excelsior awards credit for military experiences and accepts credit for CLEP, Dantes, and other approved exams to help students who are servicemembers and veterans get closer to degree completion. In its 50 years, Excelsior has graduated more than 72,000 service members, veterans, and their family members.

“The Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation is enormously pleased to partner with Excelsior College,” said Phyllis Wilson, the foundation’s president. “The benefit of reduced tuition costs and other fees as well as a generous college credit transfer option is an extraordinary opportunity. I love that the Military Women’s Memorial partnership with Excelsior College can help our valued members, the staff, and their family members achieve their educational goals. Thank you, Excelsior College!”

Phyllis Wilson, Military Women's MemorialWilson, who retired from the U.S. Army as a chief warrant officer 5, has earned two degrees from Excelsior College and is on track to earn a Master of Public Administration from Excelsior in 2021.

With this partnership, Military Women’s Memorial employees, members, and their spouses/domestic partners are eligible for partnership benefits at Excelsior College, including discounts of up to 20 percent off tuition.

David Schejbal, PhD, president of Excelsior College, said, “We are excited to work with the Women In Military Service for America Memorial Foundation. Excelsior’s online courses and special partner tuition price allow greater access for veterans and members of the Women In Military Service for America Memorial Foundation. Students can also save time toward degree completion with Excelsior’s generous credit aggregation policy that includes previously earned college credits and credit awarded for military experience.”

Since March is Women’s History Month, which encourages the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history, this timely partnership will help those who have served in the military and their families to further themselves and their careers. In 2020, approximately 35 percent of Excelsior College students are active-duty servicemembers and 14 percent are veterans.

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Media Contact: Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-410-4624

About Excelsior College

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is an accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity. Learn more at excelsior.edu.

Media Contact: Kaprice Dyson, Director, Strategic Communications, communications@womensmemorial.org

About The Military Women’s Memorial

The Military Women’s Memorial, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service. It is located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women stories, and engaging programs and events for all generations. Donate to this Charity Navigator 4 Star Organization and join the National Registration Campaign to help share the stories of women veterans. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org or by following us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  #HERstory #AppreSHEation

 

Community Care

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Jenny Wensink Goes Back to School to Help People in Need

 

In these difficult and changing times, the last thing people want to worry about is whether their family members can see a doctor. Many people are forgoing a doctor’s appointment for an illness or a routine checkup because they can’t afford it during the COVID-19 pandemic. Luckily, community health centers are open to provide people with the care they need at little or sometimes no expense. Excelsior College student Jenny Wensink, of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is dedicated to making sure people in her community get the care they need at Lakeshore Community Health Center, where she is the medical program manager.

“I feel strongly about people being able to access care. I know how expensive medical care is even if you have insurance, and so the mission for our health center is that we provide access to care regardless of your ability to pay,” says Wensink, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. Lakeshore Community Health Center in Sheboygan runs in part thanks to federal grants and has programs in place to provide financial discounts for patients who qualify. If they meet certain criteria and are willing to share personal information, they can receive quality care for dental exams, women’s health, mental health, routine checkups, and more at little or no cost.

As medical program manager, one of Wensink’s responsibilities is running the center’s vaccine program at the two locations, in Sheboygan and Manitowoc. This involves mentoring and teaching staff about vaccines and how to administer them, which is something she is passionate about. Many families may not have their children vaccinated because of the cost. Wensink partnered with a medical assistant who was successfully operating a previous vaccine program and together they serve as members of the local immunization coalition. “We work with other health care providers and other health systems and really get the word out about how important it is,” she says, referring to vaccinations for children.

Wensink also works closely with behavioral health consultants who serve as an extension of the medical providers. They assist patients seeking mental health support, needing traditional therapies, looking for help with medication compliance issues, and more. “We’re trying to take the stigma out of mental health. So, we have found that if we add these behavioral health counselors into our medical team, our patients are more likely to receive the mental health services that they need,” says Wensink.

Patients have been able to continue to receive their mental health and other types of treatment during the pandemic. To administer COVID-19 testing and to see sick patients, the center constructed an acute care center in a two-story garage on its property. Staff also instituted telehealth services and can speak to patients by video or telephone. Wensink’s responsibilities have not changed too much during the pandemic, but she helps enforce the need for personal protective equipment and also participates in local health committee meetings.

Wensink has a strong passion for helping others, something that has been a part of her since she was young. Wensink was previously the medical assistant supervisor and she realized she wanted to do more for the people who came to the center for care. After being promoted to medical program manager, she decided to go back to school for a bachelor’s degree. “It wasn’t requested of me, but I believe in lifelong learning. It’s really important and there’s so much more that I probably could give if I just had a little bit more education,” she says.

Wensink learned about Excelsior when she checked the message boards on the American Association of Medical Assistants website. “I noticed through the AAMA that they were partnering with Excelsior and that my credits would all transfer, but I also would get some discounted tuition. And I was like, well, how can that be bad?” she says. Most of her credits transferred, which was a big plus because it meant Wensink didn’t need to retake any courses. “I felt like ‘hey, I’m kind of halfway through this already.’ It made it seem more doable.”

At first, going back to school was difficult because Wensink had not been in school for many years and she was concerned about paying for college while her two daughters were also in college. She also had to learn good time management skills quickly. She soon realized her classmates were all in the same boat—working full-time with families and other responsibilities. Now, she is over a year into the bachelor’s of health sciences program.

So far, many of the management skills Wensink has learned have transferred to her job and they have enabled her to connect with her staff more effectively. She is also able to communicate better with other team members thanks to her interpersonal and management courses. This fits right in line with the culture at Lakeshore Community Health Center, which supports building strong work relationships.

By earning her bachelor’s, Wensink plans to use her skills and knowledge to better assist her community and help to expand services offered by the clinic. She likes the clinical aspect of her job, though, and wants to keep working with patients, so she would like to find a way to incorporate that and management into a future position. She may take a break from schooling after she earns her bachelor’s, but she’s not ruling out more education. If it means helping other people, she’s willing to do whatever it takes. “My favorite part, really, is being able to help somebody. For me, it’s making sure that my community is taken care of.” Learn about how you can help the people in your community physically and mentally with an Excelsior Bachelor of Science in Psychology or a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences.

 

Female Veterans – Ready to Fill Cybersecurity Jobs!

Posted on by Amelia Estwick

*The original article first appeared in “United States Cybersecurity Magazine,” Spring 2019 issue. It has been adapted and republished here with permission.

 

Current State of the Cybersecurity Industry

The growth in cyber threats has created a robust cybersecurity labor market with various well published reports estimating 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs will be unfilled by 2021. Although cybersecurity is a promising career path, it lacks gender diversity. Globally, women lack representation in the cybersecurity profession, accounting for only 11–14 percent over the past five years. For example, research from Cybersecurity Ventures predicts women will represent over 20 percent of the global cybersecurity workforce by the end of 2019. Although this is a promising statistic, 20 percent is still too low for global estimates.

One way for the cybersecurity industry to address the workforce shortage and gender diversity challenge is to focus on hiring female veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are over 20 million veterans in the U.S. and female veterans account for 9 percent of the veteran population. That’s almost 2 million female veterans who are highly skilled and have received specialized training in fields that are applicable to meet the demanding cybersecurity jobs the industry is seeking to fill.

Some Challenges Facing Female Veterans Entering the Cybersecurity Workforce

Female veterans are fortunate to have practical experience and possess the same technical and soft skills (e.g. leadership, problem-solving, critical thinking, etc.) as many of their male counterparts. However, many of these women face challenges finding employment in the cybersecurity industry. Challenges such as discrimination, lack of understanding transferable skills, and unstable employment are serious barriers female veterans must overcome to have a successful cybersecurity career path.

Oftentimes discrimination against female veterans is more pronounced because the military is male-dominated and female veterans are considered a minority in the overall veteran population. However, there are several cybersecurity organizations that have been created in the last 5–7 years, such as Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) and the Women’s Society of Cyberjutsu (WSC). These organizations provide supportive networks for women in the cybersecurity field. These organizations help women to build their professional networks. Additionally, they function as support for mentorship, training, knowledge-sharing, and employment opportunities.

Another challenge for female veterans is there’s no direct mapping of military careers to current cybersecurity jobs. These jobs would allow veterans to express their transferable skills on their resume. The lack of understanding by many employers when it comes to hiring veterans gets further complicated when the veteran is unable to articulate the importance of their military jobs. Also, employers often do not understand how their skills are applicable to the cybersecurity domain.

Finally, female veterans tend to experience higher unemployment than their male veteran peers, which is concerning since many female veterans may be the main provider of their household and/or a caregiver of a family member. According to Hire Heroes USA, “post-9/11 veteran unemployment rate of 5.6% for women remains higher than the 3.6% national average.… women veterans are also between two and four times more likely than non-veteran women to experience homelessness.” These statistics are extremely troubling considering cybersecurity jobs are growing at exponential rates with starting salaries that tend to be higher than the average salaries in other fields. According to Indeed, a job-search engine, the average starting salary for an entry-level cybersecurity analyst is over

$56K annually; these salaries tend to increase with added experience, training, academic credentials, and/or industry certifications.

Female Veteran Military Careers That Are Transferrable to Cybersecurity

Several popular military career fields for women provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) for them to thrive in the cybersecurity industry. Military career fields such as intelligence, engineering, and applied science, as well as computers and computer science consist of technical work roles that are “more compatible” to the cybersecurity field. However, cybersecurity is a multi-disciplinary field. Female veterans with experience in public affairs, marketing, and multimedia can apply their KSAs toward cybersecurity jobs that utilize social media and digital marketing. Veterans from these careers understand how to leverage social media to elevate business content while keeping information and business profiles secure on the Internet. Given the amount of cyber-attacks that have occurred over the past 5 years that have led to public data breaches of over 200 million records (e.g. Equifax, Target, and OPM), having personnel who are well-versed in public relations, communications, and personnel records are key to protecting corporate brand and instilling public confidence.

Another popular career for female veterans is within health care. Female veterans who have training in counseling and social work may not seem like an ideal fit for cybersecurity jobs; however, studying human behavior as it relates to cybersecurity has become a growth area. According to IBM’s Cyber Security Intelligence Index, it was revealed that over 90 percent of cyber breaches occur because of human error. Jobs like behavioral analysts and other titles associated with human behavior (e.g. behavioral analytics, human-computer interaction, etc.) are needed more than ever to combat human cybersecurity challenges.

Finally, female veterans who have training in career fields such as logistics, transportation, and maintenance are essential to the growing cybersecurity critical infrastructure sectors, which consist of the most essential aspects of our society to include energy, financial services, transportation, and emergency services. Female veterans who have knowledge, skills, and abilities to assess risk, manage complex systems, and are trained to respond to incidents would be prime cybersecurity candidates to protect and defend these most vital assets.

Conclusion

Cyber threats are increasing in volume, velocity, and veracity. Therefore, it is imperative to fill cybersecurity jobs with talented, skilled individuals who possess the requisite experiences, knowledge, and training necessary to meet our national security needs. In addressing diversity and talent, female veterans can address the cybersecurity workforce and diversity needs. Study a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.

Sean Hudson, MA in Liberal Arts ’18

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Sean Hudson, MA in Liberal Arts ’18, of Upper Darby, PA, is living his childhood dream of being an educator as a teacher leader in Philadelphia. Hudson is a two-time graduate of Excelsior College. He also earned his Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 2013. He is “passionate about and committed to removing the roadblocks that prevent urban and black students from reaching their educational potential.”