First steps into a high-demand cyber career

Inspired by his parents' experience with cybercrime, Gavin Trevino, a dual credit student from Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (PSJA) North Early College High School, is currently in his second semester in the Cybersecurity program at South Texas College.

“My interest in the field started when my parents were hacked, and their bank account was compromised. I didn't want that for myself,” he shared. “My original plan was to only pursue certifications because college is expensive, but thanks to STC I got a head start into cybersecurity.”

The 17-year-old started taking college classes last fall and has already earned a certificate in Device Configuration Management.

"I took two classes last semester. In one of them, I earned my very first certificate," he said. "We are also learning about programming and networking. If I could, I'd have all my classes about computers."

He added that his passion from the field comes from the necessity of having information protected at all costs and is necessary in most, if not all, industries.

“Cybersecurity is needed everywhere from schools to hospital and banks. We don’t want people’s information to be in the wrong hands,” he said.

With each certificate earned and job experience to gain, Trevino aspires to confront the challenges posed by new technologies and combat hackers.

“I’m passionate about learning, which is required in this field,” he said. “In five to 10 years, what I have learned now, may be information that hackers can go around, so I would need to find new ways to defend, adding to new technologies.”

As a video-game enthusiast, Trevino’s dream is to design video games and have a remote job that allows him to travel around the world.

“With the new technology that’s coming up, the computer field has a high demand for professionals,” he explained. “Even if I don’t continue pursuing cybersecurity there’s a wide variety of things I could do. I could go into computer repair, software development or go into information technology. There’s many opportunities.”

By attending his classes at STC’s Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence, Trevino has not only benefited from the school’s resources, but has also discovered new job opportunities for the future.

“Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) visited the campus to speak with the school’s police academy and they took the time to talk to us about the demand of cybersecurity,” he said. “It opened my eyes to all the different avenues I could pursue in this field.”

Trevino added that the school’s library has also played a big role in his success.

“The college library has been helpful for me to learn more about physics and other subjects I’m taking,” he said. “I’m grateful to STC for this opportunity and the resources we get for free. Everyone at STC has been incredibly nice and helpful.”