First days of school are always exciting: meeting your fellow students, learning the teacher's name, deciding where to sit. This week, at the Brooklyn NPower site, one of the three Symantec Cyber Career Connection training program pilot locations, classes began for 16 alumni of the NPower Technology Service Corps. The students were selected from a pool of 50 applicants through a rigorous and comprehensive screening process.
The cybersecurity instructor, Mo, gave the students a bit of a surprise for the first day. He hid an assemblage of computer parts under a tablecloth on each classroom table. They were tasked to build their own computers for the first day's assignment. Working together, asking for help and advice, all the students managed the task, and in the process began that strange alchemy of bonding as a team. As advanced students, they are now working through the first milestone of the program, sitting for the Network+ exam in just two weeks. To capture the process of turning these students into entry level cybersecurity professionals, we've a team of videographers working to capture their excitement and reaction to the program. Additionally, the students will create a video log of their daily and weekly progress and experience in the program. Symantec and the other corporate partners will provide volunteers to serve as guest lecturers and mentors, host site visits, assist with the curriculum and provide internship and job opportunities
Interesting Stats:
- 100% minorities
- 25% women
- 25% 4 year or Associate’s degree
- 25% enrolled in college or have some college
- 94% first or second generation Americans
- Represent alumni over the past 5 years
Instructor Mo:I was so excited when the SC3 students revealed the table covered with parts to build their computers. Their faces lit up with surprise and joy; it was like they were opening a present! Having the SC3 students build their own computers to use for the security course will give them a personal attachment to the computer and a sense of ownership as they try to protect the computer from harm.
Student Quotes:
Patrick - The build was a good surprise; making my own new machine from scratch with all new equipment. Understanding how all the pieces come together was a direct connection to security because you have to understand more than what you see, you have to know how it works, where it starts and if you break it how to fix it. (unless the pins on the motherboard were bent in transition not in the care of us)
Julianna - First day I expected to start class work right away but not build a computer from scratch but it helped me to exercise my mind. So taking IT security course is great because it’s a lot of critical thinking.
Devina - The first day for me was very interesting. Although I was completely caught off guard, I was happy to do it because it was my first time building a PC from scratch. I thought it was awesome. In the future, I hope to be able to identify the components quickly whenever they're brought up in a topic.
Michael - When It was revealed that we had to build the computers we were going to use, from the ground up, I was really surprised. It was invigorating and a great way to start off the course.That experience was really beneficial to me because I now have a fresh image in my mind of one, how a computer works and two, all of the components that make up the computer. Now when we talk about these things in class, I can immediately refer back to that moment.
Diego - The first day experience, I would say, was pretty surprising, I wasn't expecting to build a computer from scratch in the first day of a security class.That experience will help me in the future to always be prepared and expect anything.
Richard - My first day of the program, I was amazed. I was able to put together a desktop computer using my past experience I gained from the NPower program. From the first day experience I learned to be ready for any surprise or obstacle and approach it head on.I will apply this experience in my future endeavors and my everyday approach to be successful in my career path.
Ashley - Building the computer from scratch was challenging but it forced me to use my critical thinking skills as well as work in a team with my classmates to complete the project.It would be extremely difficult to not use your critical thinking skills in this industry, therefore by having to use this skill on the first day it set the precedent for the future by training my mind to think like a security professional.
Cory - My first day experience was nerve-wracking, because I found out there were people in my class with degrees in the computer field; I figured they would have a bigger advantage or be able to retain the information faster. This experience will affect me in the future by making me want stay on the same level as those students, I figure it will keep me on my "A game" to not fall behind and make me want to strive to get the best internship.
Natalie - My first day went well. I was really surprised but excited because I didn't expect to build my own workstation, but it was a great experience and gave me a great opportunity to interact with my peers. Building my own PC helped me to understand how all the components work together on the inside and once you know how everything works internally, it's easier to understand how things work externally. This experience will follow me to my future endeavors and basically has shown and prepared me to be ready for anything whether it's just my first day at a new job or being put on the spot to help troubleshoot a problem. You always have to be ready to jump right in.
Chad - The PC build on the first day of class was a unexpected challenge. At first, I was taken aback. After the class became settled, we were able to work together and figure it out. That experience gave me a refresher in PC hardware. I have never built a PC from scratch before so now I have increased confidence. I will feel more comfortable in future if I had to do it again.
Alfredo - My first day was a unique experience. I did not expect to build my own computer from scratch but was excited at the thought of completing my first task in this class. I was also at times forced to ask for help in order to complete my task which made me more familiar with my peers on the first day.I feel this first day experience has made me realize that when given an objective I am able to complete it within an acceptable time frame and am able to communicate with people on a more comfortable level than before.
Adriean - The first day was a surprise to see the "deconstructed" towers, but it was fun to set up the computers, from scratch, that we would be using. With this I expect to get a greater appreciation for what it is that I will be doing in the future.
Tafari - My first day in class was a surprise. I like the fact my skills were challenged and I had to put implement them on building a computer. To me this means who have to be prepared for any task that is given to you, even if it's your first day.The first day made me realize that any task can be given to an must complete it based on your prior knowledge. You should always be aware of what is going on an your environment.
Rodrigo - Wow! Today was great! We got to interact with classmates, help one another, and we completed our task; which was to build a PC from scratch. This experience showed me that I can complete a task on time, communicate with new peers, and I was able to help others around me.
William - I did not expect will be setting up a computer from scratch on the first day. I was able to think and analyze on how put the computer together. I was able to interact with my colleagues for different advice and ideas. By doing this will enable me to have more skills and also always to be ready when you are not sure what is going to happen.
Daoud - When I walked into the room, I was not expecting to build a computer from scratch. This experience was an awakening opportunity for me to apply my A+ certification skills. Physically touching and inserting the memory, graphic cards and processor into the motherboard, I was able to memorize the internal physical makeup of a computer. This first day experience allowed me to see important computer parts. Critical thinking, management and collaboration are great skills that I sharpened from this experience. These are skills that I need to possess in order to be a top-notch security professional in the future.