In cybersecurity, where every click can be a potential threat, and data protection is essential, students like Matthew Neel are rising to the occasion. A senior majoring in Cybersecurity at the University of Idaho, Matthew is veering toward the finish line of his education and getting ready to start his career.
Matthew resides in Idaho Falls, the largest city in the Eastern Idaho region. His journey into cybersecurity started in high school when he enrolled in an Intro to Web Design course. After his coursework, his teacher introduced him to a cybersecurity certification program, and Matthew saw an opportunity and found himself drawn to cybersecurity.
“I have always wanted to help people, and psychology wasn’t the right fit, so I felt that cybersecurity was a good middle ground,” he explained when asked about choosing his career path. In a world where cyber threats can impact organizations, Matthew wanted a career that allows him to protect the people around him.
One of Matthew’s proudest academic achievements is his ability to share his cybersecurity knowledge. “Gaining the skills to teach others about cybersecurity has been my favorite part so far,” said Neel. “I have had labs where other students will teach the class for the week or have mock presentations to present a cybersecurity analysis on a company.” Whether it’s mock teaching or presentations, Matthew enjoys spreading awareness about cybersecurity.
Neel emphasizes the necessity of educating people about cybersecurity without making them feel inadequate. “It’s crucial that people learn more about the process and understand why what they’re doing might be unsafe,” Neel said. “It doesn’t take much to find someone’s password based on some generic assumption about them on the internet.” Educating more people about essential cybersecurity tips can decrease the likelihood of getting scammed and protect vulnerable populations. Matthew is confident that being aware of such things will reduce the possibility of being scammed.
Through the University of Idaho’s bachelor’s degree program in cybersecurity, students enroll in several classes that result in a well-rounded class load. During Matthew’s time at the University of Idaho, one of his most impactful academic experiences was taking courses from Professor Daniel Conte de Leon of computer science.
“Professor Daniel Conte de Leon is super smart, a great teacher, and puts his students first. He is a hands-on teacher, which is great since I am not much of a book person and don’t tend to learn well without hands-on experience.”
With only a few months left before graduation, Matthew hopes to apply the broad range of skills he’s gained from the Cyberdome, such as risk management and CompTIA certifications, to a full-time cybersecurity position. The Cyberdome, a collaborative hub for competency-based development, enables Idaho students to gain hands-on work experience by providing cybersecurity services to rural Idaho school districts, counties, and cities.
“I hope to take advantage of all the hands-on opportunities at the Cyberdome, learn more about the tools we have access to, like CompTIA, and have those mock experiences so I can springboard into my career after college.”
A career in cybersecurity provides the opportunity to help secure data and empower individuals and organizations to protect themselves in an increasingly digital world. With a passion for cybersecurity and dedication to making a difference, Matthew hopes to become a valuable asset to the cybersecurity community and continue his learning within the field.
Click here for Matthew Neel’s LinkedIn profile.