From left to right: Gideon Satterfield, Henry Schmidt, Grant Wilkins.
The CyberCorps Scholarship for Service student group recently met to discuss the cyberattacks that targeted SolarWinds software in 2020. This meeting served as a platform to analyze the root causes of the breach and assess why SolarWinds emerged as a prime target.
The Scholarship for Service is a unique initiative to strengthen the ranks of federal information assurance professionals who protect the government's critical information infrastructure.
Henry Schmidt, a student enrolled in the Service Scholarship Program, said, “The program itself is designed for U.S. citizen students attending undergraduate or graduate programs who are interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity.'' “This is a scholarship for up to six semesters. Once a student earns their degree, they work for the U.S. government for the same number of years that they received the scholarship. Therefore, this is a service scholarship.”
This SFS program aims to develop cybersecurity talent. The program is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, which provides comprehensive scholarships that cover generous stipends/stipends, tuition, and other costs. Undergraduate students are awarded scholarships of up to $27,000 per year, and graduate students are awarded $37,000 per year. In addition, there is a professional allowance of $6,000 per academic year to meet a variety of needs, including participation in SFS job fairs and obtaining professional certifications.
Grant Wilkins, a student on the SFS program, said: “One thing I didn't expect, but really enjoyed, was the community aspect. This is at the heart of the SFS program. We will provide it.” It's a lot of fun to experience together in a group. ”
Gideon Satterfield, a fellow student in the SFS program, said, “This summer I'm going to California to work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This is my first time doing an internship as part of the SFS program. My focus Many of the
Mr. Schmidt also completed an internship at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Mr. Wilkins completed his internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Internships like this give students real-world experience they wouldn't otherwise get.
Schmidt said, “The SFS program has put me in a position to succeed financially, career-wise, and socially, not only here at the university but also with all of the program participants across the country.” attends the annual January conference in Washington DC. It's a great experience and a great advantage. I get to meet former colleagues I worked with during my internship, as well as many potential employers. I can.”
For aspiring cybersecurity professionals, the Scholarship for Service program serves not only as a path to academic and financial support, but also as a gateway to a fulfilling career protecting critical infrastructure and national security. Students interested in cybersecurity professionally should consider joining the SFS program.
Click here to learn more about the SFS program.
