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Nick Hoover graduated from ������Ƶ’s School of Business with an associate degree, but he knew that wasn’t enough. He wanted to get a degree in something he was passionate about, so he began researching his options. His love for computers led him to IT, where he discovered the field of Cybersecurity. He returned to ������Ƶ, where he was able to take free non-credit Cybersecurity courses through Cisco Networking Academy and see if it was really right for him.

“I took the classes, and I've been hooked ever since,” Hoover said. “Even before learning about Cybersecurity, I was always the person in my friend groups to help others with their network and security issues—whether it was teaching them about Phishing attempts and IP grabbers or helping them remove malware and viruses." 

Hoover is set to graduate in Spring 2025, but he’s already earned several certificates thanks to ������Ƶ’s stackable credentials. During the Spring 2024 semester, he earned the CompTIA A+, Security+, and Network+ certifications and obtained the CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist as part of his full course load. 

According to Hoover, when asked what has stood out to him in his studies, "No matter which IT field you go into, there's always going to be some kind of overlap, and I think that's a great tool at your disposal. This gives you a chance to jump into situations you wouldn't normally be in, which can be tough, but it can also be a good learning experience." 

As Hoover works toward his degree, he’s also getting real-world experience by working as an IT department lab support tech at the Lawrenceburg campus. In this role, he helps maintain the networks and computers used in the labs by installing, upgrading, and troubleshooting equipment; assists faculty with their material; and tutors students. 

When asked what advice he'd give students interested in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at ������Ƶ, Hoover concluded, "One piece of advice I'd give is to focus on the aspects you're most interested and passionate about. The world of IT is constantly evolving, and that's going to require you to have a mindset of learning and education. I would also take as many classes as I can in person. Being in the classroom gives hands-on experience that can't really be replicated with online learning or over a web meeting."