Turney is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Systems Administration at TSTC with a goal of beginning his new career.

“I was seeking a higher-paying career, and that is the reason I chose to attend TSTC,” he said. “I am halfway through the program and have not been disappointed.”

Turney is not a stranger to TSTC, but he decided several years ago not to finish college. He did know that TSTC would be a good choice if we wanted to return to school. 

Instructor Renee Blackshear now sees in him a motivated student who plans to succeed.

“Matthew started his information technology education while in high school and has come to college at TSTC with a positive attitude and incredible work ethic,” she said. “His ability to master complex topics is phenomenal, and we are delighted to have Matthew as part of the Computer Networking and Systems Administration program.”

Turney returned to TSTC because of a new style of learning available to him and other students.

TSTC’s Computer Networking and Systems Administration program now uses the performance-based education model, which allows students to have flexibility with their schedules as they master set competencies. Faculty members guide the students as they take courses.

“I enjoy the new accelerated program because we are able to learn at our pace,” he said. “I was surprised by how quickly it can be done. It is very nice getting a degree twice as fast and at half the cost.”

Turney is also surprised by what he has been able to learn during the first half of the program.

“I’ve gained a good bit of knowledge about networking and servers,” he said.

Turney has some advice for students beginning the program.

“I would tell people to get ahead on your assignments as early as possible,” he said. “It will help you out in the future.”

Turney is motivated to complete the program for his children.

“I am trying to be a good example for them and everyone around me,” he said.

Turney knows that he will have job opportunities closer to graduation. One specific opportunity for him would be a perfect fit.

“I think a remote system administration job would be ideal for me and my family,” he said.

TSTC also offers an advanced technical certificate in Cloud Computing. Both the associate degree and certificate programs are available completely online.

Computer-user support specialists can make an average of $47,460 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Onetonline.org predicts that this career will grow by 19% in Texas by 2028.

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

One type of attack in particular has caused headaches worldwide.

“Of cyberattacks, ransomware is probably the nastiest of them all,” said Texas State Technical College Cybersecurity instructor Alan Sulak.

The way this attack works is right in its name: ransom. Employees of a company may receive an official-looking email that contains a link — a phishing attack. When they click the link, it releases a virus that encrypts every piece of data it can find. The only person with the password to access the data again is the criminal who sent the attack, and they expect payment.

At this point, victims should call the FBI. The experts there might have a solution, particularly if the virus is old.

However, Sulak shared a chilling piece of advice that he received in a cybersecurity-focused meeting with the FBI.

“They said, ‘The one thing we guarantee you is that every day you wake up, you have a new enemy,’” he recalled. “Every day, somebody’s creating something new that will potentially get us.”

Prevention is the best approach to dealing with cyberattacks like ransomware.

“(Ransomware) is ruthless,” Sulak said. “Protect from it by backing up your data.”

If the attack cannot be solved through professional intervention and the ransom cannot be paid, restoring lost data from backups could be the only way to restore access.

That is why it is so important to utilize a trustworthy company or software for this task — and to check that the backups are functional.

“For every company that does backups, probably only 30% of the backups work,” Sulak warned.

Another key preventive measure is education. People should never click on links from senders they do not know. They should be wary of all links they receive through email regardless, especially since criminals can pose as someone on their contact list.

The same advice goes for spam phone calls. Sometimes it is best not to answer a call from an unrecognized number in the first place.

The resources for protecting against ransomware and other cyberattacks include qualified cybersecurity professionals — who Sulak and his fellow TSTC Cybersecurity instructors are training their students to become.

An essential skill that TSTC Cybersecurity students learn as they earn their degrees is how to write a cybersecurity plan that includes a company’s risk analysis.

“Analyze how much money you could lose if you lost everything,” Sulak said, describing the process of the risk analysis. “What does that mean to your company financially? Maybe the loss is infinite — many companies fold. Or maybe you know it’s a million dollars you might lose, and customers — or worse.”

The analysis then recommends an investment of a portion of that amount into protective measures, which can be a daunting proposal. The proper equipment to head off a ransomware attack before it starts — or isolate infected equipment before the virus infiltrates everything — and the trained professionals to operate it can come at an eye-watering cost to CEOs of midsize companies.

But the potential loss could be much greater.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity, an advanced technical certificate of completion in Digital Forensics Specialist and an occupational skills award in Basic Cybersecurity. All are offered online.

The program is also part of TSTC’s Performance-Based Education, a self-directed approach to the mastery of industry skills and competencies.

In Texas, information security engineers can earn an average annual salary of $89,750, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Onetonline.org forecasts a bright outlook and 20% projected future growth of these positions by 2028.

Enrollment for the spring semester at TSTC is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

Here is a look back at some of the semester’s highlights:

New leadership

Amanda Posada, TSTC’s executive director of Dual Enrollment, became the interim provost of the Harlingen campus. Former campus provost Cledia Hernandez took on the role of TSTC’s associate vice chancellor for External Relations and Workforce Development.

More opportunities

The TSTC Foundation received a grant from the Rio-South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation for TSTC’s Biomedical Equipment Technology program and The TSTC Foundation’s Goal Line Assistance Scholarship, providing new training equipment and aiding students who may be facing financial difficulties during their final year at TSTC.

High-flying students

Adrian Nacianceno, a TSTC Aircraft Airframe student, and Izzy Ortiz, a TSTC Aircraft Powerplant student, are the stewards of an X-38 space prototype vehicle frame for research purposes. Once their project is complete, the X-38 will be used as a beacon to inspire other students to consider careers related to space exploration.

History-making grad

Claudia Reyes is a 2019 graduate of TSTC’s Computer Networking and Security Technology (now Computer Networking and Systems Administration) program. Her fascination with working with computers, analyzing crime documentaries and advocating against cyberbullying led her to return to TSTC to pursue an advanced technical certificate in Digital Forensics Specialist. She added a new credential to her portfolio by becoming the first student in the program to earn the AccessData Certified Examiner (ACE) certification.

A commencement to celebrate

The TSTC campus in Harlingen marked the return to an in-person commencement ceremony Dec. 8 at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg. More than 300 graduates walked across the stage to accept a TSTC occupational skills award, certificate of completion or associate degree.

TSTC congratulates all of its students and graduates for their accomplishments, and looks forward to what the next semester will bring.

Registration for the spring semester at TSTC is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

More than 100 fall 2021 graduates walked the stage to receive their diplomas during the first in-person TSTC commencement ceremony since fall 2019.

“Tonight means the completion of two years of hard work paying off,” said Chase Carey, who earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Powerplant Technology with honors. “Earning the honors means that all of my late nights of studying were worth the time and effort.”

Edward Deanda, who earned a certificate of completion in Aircraft Powerplant Technology, also graduated with honors.

“These honors accomplishments mean so much to me,” Deanda said. “But I am not through because I am coming back to work on a backup career in Digital Media Design. I want to have something to fall back on, and TSTC is the place to do that.”

For Omar Alvarez, it was the completion of a second degree program. After earning a degree in Automotive Technology, he returned to TSTC and earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Airframe Technology. He graduated as a TSTC Board of Regents Honor Roll member.

“It was a lot of work for me, and it was worth it because I maintained a 4.0 grade-point average during each semester,” he said. “The best part is I now have a job lined up and am ready to start my career.”

Alfred Rodriguez also added to his TSTC collection of TSTC degrees. After earning a certificate of completion in Diesel Equipment Technology, he added an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems.

“This is a great day for me, and I am so excited because it has already paid off for me at work,” he said.

Kiana Abarintos said she can now pursue her passion in aviation with her Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Powerplant Technology.

“My father was in aviation for 20 years, and it was always something I wanted to do,” she said. “When my husband was transferred to Dyess Air Force Base, I did my research and found TSTC had an aviation program. I am so proud of myself for achieving this goal in my life.”

Misty Burton, who earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing, also realized a dream.

“This was 16 years in the making,” she said. “I graduated in licensed vocational nursing when my baby was a baby. That was 16 years ago, and I have completed my goal of completing the program. This has been an amazing experience.”

Ken Becker, interim executive director of the Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development, said students were given a key during the ceremony.

“The key is your hard work. The key is the completion of your studies,” he said. “The key is the certificate or associate degree that you will walk across the stage tonight to receive. It’s the key that can take you places you want to go.”

Registration for the spring semester at TSTC is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

TSTC’s Career Services department hosted a virtual industry spotlight event Wednesday, Dec. 1, alongside Texas Instruments, which hopes to hire for a number of careers.

“We hope that you find something that interests you,” said Katie Peebles, an engineer and supervisor who has been with the company for 21 years. “It’s a great opportunity. I hope that we’re your choice.”

Students and instructors from TSTC’s Computer Networking and Systems Administration, Computer Programming Technology, Cybersecurity, Diesel Equipment Technology, Drafting and Design, Electrical Power and Controls, HVAC Technology and Industrial Systems programs attended the virtual event.

During the career spotlight, Peebles and her colleague, Jimmy Carter, another engineer, detailed everything from shift schedules, benefits and growth potential within the company to the overall vision of Texas Instruments.

“Here at Texas Instruments, we want to change the world,” Carter said. “We’re a technology-driven company. We’re shaping the future of electronics.”

Texas Instruments, which is headquartered in Dallas, employs about 30,000 workers around the globe. The company makes analog and embedded processing chips for industrial, automotive, personal electronics, communication equipment and enterprise systems.

Founded in 1930, Texas Instruments earned $14.46 billion in revenue last year.

“As we look at the industry today, we know there’s a big demand,” Carter said. “There’s a shortage of computer chips. We’re doing our part — 80% of TI’s wafers are produced internally.”

A majority of the work at Texas Instruments takes place inside clean rooms, where technicians and engineers don “bunny suits” — or coveralls — gloves and other gear to protect the sensitive products they are making, the tools they are using, and themselves.

Texas Instruments looks to hire entry-level technicians in a variety of focus areas, including product, process, equipment, facilities and engineering technicians, from TSTC’s pool of highly trained talent.

“You’re going to come in with your foundational knowledge, and we’re going to build on that,” Peebles said, describing on-the-job and peer-to-peer training — as well as a tuition reimbursement program for continuing education.

There is a range of tiers for growth within the technician careers, she added. The higher the tier, the higher the pay — and the responsibilities. The highest level of technician will be expected to balance core daily duties with special projects, including maintenance, installation and other requirements.

“It’s whatever career path someone wants to go down,” Peebles said. “Really, the sky’s the limit.”

Registration for the spring semester at TSTC is underway. Learn more at tstc.edu.

What factored into your decision to go to TSTC?

I wanted to attend college to further my education and focus on a program that I enjoy and that I can get a career in. I also wanted to attend college to show my gratitude toward my parents that have worked so hard to get where we are right now.

What made you decide to choose the program you are studying?

I have always wanted to do something that involved technology. When I was looking at TSTC and looking at what programs they had, I saw Computer Networking and Systems Administration and decided to do my research on it and found it interesting.

What are your career goals right now?

The career goals that I have are to gain experience and knowledge and, maybe in the future, a certification. The company I work for recently got bought out by a bigger company, and they have already talked to me about what I wanted to do for the company and told me that there is room to move up.

What advice would you give to high school students interested in your field of study?

The advice I would give to high school students is to not procrastinate and do not be afraid to ask for help if they are having trouble in classes. Using a daily planner goes a long way to help keep you on track.

What inspires and motivates you to wake up each day?

What inspires me is my ambition to do something that I am determined about accomplishing in my life. When I see people who are full of ambition, it makes me want to achieve something that I truly desire.

TSTC’s Computer Networking and Systems Administration program uses the performance-based education model, which allows students to have flexibility with their schedules as they master set competencies. Faculty members guide the students as they take courses. 

TSTC’s Fall 2021 Commencement for the Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater campuses will be held Monday, Dec. 13, at the Abilene Convention Center.

For more information, go to tstc.edu.

(ROSENBERG, Texas) – If you have an unbelievable Cyber Monday deal in your email inbox, do a little research before committing to the purchase.

“If it feels too good to be true, it probably is,” warned Texas State Technical College Cybersecurity instructor Alan Sulak.

While Black Friday traditionally kicks off the holiday shopping season, more and more retailers have extended their sales online. Shoppers need to remain vigilant to keep their information secure — and avoid getting hacked or scammed.

Sulak urges people to take note of where emails originate. A legitimate offer from a retailer would not typically come from an AOL or a Yahoo email address, for example.

It is never a good idea to click a link in an email sent by someone you do not know.

If you question whether a deal might be real, visit the retailer’s website and look for it there. Treat any discrepancies as red flags. The vast majority of websites should be secured — often represented by a closed lock icon or “https” at the beginning of a web address.

Even when you are out and about shopping for gifts in person, stay mindful about what you are doing online. Comparing in-store prices on an item to deals on other websites is one thing, but be wary of completing transactions.

“Never use free Wi-Fi in public places when shopping online,” Sulak said. “People do not realize, but it is very easy for somebody at a public Wi-Fi to record your entire transaction, learn everything about it and get your credit card info.”

If you must make a purchase online while connected to public Wi-Fi, Sulak recommends using a VPN — a virtual private network — to protect your privacy.

It may still be better to wait until you are at home to pay for everything in your online shopping cart due to possible vulnerability to a “man-in-the-middle” attack while using public Wi-Fi.

“As soon as you connect to a free Wi-Fi, you think you’re connected to the business where you’re at,” Sulak said. “In reality, (sometimes hackers have) completely masqueraded as that company, and you’re connecting through their laptop — they’ve got you at that point.”

Sulak and many other TSTC Cybersecurity instructors are a part of InfraGard, a nonprofit partnership among U.S. industry entities and the FBI. The goal of the organization is to keep everyone involved informed of cyberthreats — and threats to physical security — and how to protect against them. TSTC Cybersecurity students are also encouraged to participate.

Staying informed about online risks before they occur — during the holidays and all year round — is one of the best ways to keep your online information safe.

“You just really don’t know who could be lurking around the corner,” Sulak said.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity, as well as a Digital Forensics Specialist advanced technical certificate and a Basic Cybersecurity occupational skills award, all online.

Registration for the spring semester is underway. For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

An admiration of working with computers, analyzing crime documentaries and advocating against cyberbullying led her to return to TSTC to pursue an advanced technical certificate in Digital Forensics Specialist.

Recently she added a new credential to her portfolio, and bragging rights, by becoming the first-ever student in the program to earn the AccessData Certified Examiner (ACE) certification.

To earn the ACE credential, candidates must pass an exam to demonstrate their proficiency with AccessData’s Forensic Toolkit, a software used by digital forensic investigators to acquire information and evidence to be used in a court of law.

Reyes noted that digital forensics is needed in various areas of criminal justice, financial services, information technology, network security and national defense.

“If I am not able to get hired in any industry, I plan to work on my own,” she said. “I have the knowledge and capabilities to work as a private investigator.”

Reyes’ passion for the career field is evident, and she credits her success to instructors Cesar Ibarra and Norma Colunga for their advice.

“Claudia is a student who is heavily based in digital forensics — it’s in her heart,” Ibarra said.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity, an advanced technical certificate in Digital Forensics Specialist and an occupational skills award in Basic Cybersecurity. All programs are offered online.

For more information, go to tstc.edu.

What got you interested in studying cybersecurity?

I got interested in cybersecurity like every other kid does by watching hacker movies and playing Watch Dogs, a video game. It made me think about what the bad people are doing, and what are the good people doing to stop it?

Going to a big four-year university was going to be expensive for me and was not an option. I started looking at technical schools, and when I was looking at TSTC, it seemed like a financially viable option for me. I could go to night classes after work and get a degree and go into a career that I am passionate about.

What is a typical workday like for you?

An average day for me is watching for security alerts that come in and handling those, mitigating those and just accepting the risk of those. We have a bring-your-own device program, so students have their cell phones with them. If we get a security alert from a personal device and depending on what it is, we might handle it or just ignore it, or let the teacher know. I also spend time checking on network equipment and watching availability issues with Wi-Fi. I also handle technical issues at one of our campuses. 

How do you stay informed about new technology?

A lot of that is extracurricular for me. A lot of my time is spent currently understanding what is going on in our environment. I do some online training myself. I try to keep an eye on what is going on in the information security realm with Twitter and different people I follow there, like malware reverse engineers.

What kind of career advice would you give to others?

For high school students, they are in the best position, especially if they can get their homework done on time. They have all that time after school to put it into studying something. If you can take that time and put it into something, you will become good at it. If someone is completely starting from zero, like never touched a computer before, I would probably say you need to start with hardware, like understanding how computers work, and build from there.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop website, computer network support specialists in Texas make a yearly median salary of more than $70,000. Most jobs are concentrated in the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio areas.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity, a Certificate of Completion in Digital Forensic Specialist and an Occupational Skills Award in Basic Cybersecurity. All programs are offered online using the performance-based education model.

For more information, go to tstc.edu. 

Adrian Medrano, a Computer Networking and Systems Administration instructor, said the program’s goal is to produce a graduate who is knowledgeable in all areas of information technology.

“We do not focus on one area, and that is due to the fact that most information technology shops need a versatile tech,” he said. “The days of techs focusing on one specific job have slowly been fading away. Employers are looking for techs that can think quickly on their feet, problem-solve and interact with the public. A tech that can diagnose a problem, interact properly with a user or customer and fix the problem, all within a timely manner, is worth their weight in gold.”

Medrano discussed the program’s benefits and the job outlook for its graduates.

What benefits do students have by working online, and how will that help them in the workforce?

Working online has always been beneficial to our program. Remote work in information technology has provided workers access to essential programs and devices for a long time. Since COVID, we have seen an increase of remote workers in the industry, which I believe has led to employers seeing firsthand how effective remote workers can be.

Do students need to have any basic computer experience to start the program?

It has been my experience that (new) students with zero computer skills have been just as successful as students with computer skills. In fact, those without computer skills have been more successful due to their drive to be better than those with some computer skills.

How has TSTC kept up with the constant updating of computers in the workplace?

We have found that TSTC has surpassed what the industry is using in regards to equipment and software, the difference being that large companies tend to have a higher budget for upgraded equipment. TSTC is definitely at the forefront of having up-to-date equipment, which allows us to train students on equipment that some industry partners are using, and to prepare students who may be working for companies that may have dated equipment and software.

What areas in the workforce have the most need for technicians?

I see job applications for companies in the medical field all the time. We have industry partners scattered throughout the job workforce requiring entry-level and some advanced-level techs.

What can students expect to learn?

Students should be prepared to learn information technology-related tasks, for example, fixing broken computers, resetting passwords, connecting to printers and scanners, setting up profiles for users on a network, working the help desk, and (having an) understanding of TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/internet protocol) and network addressing. Students may also be tasked with working with server equipment, configuring routers and switches on the network, and assisting network administrators and managers on upgrades and migration of data and users.

What have graduates told you about their experiences in the field and how TSTC prepared them for success?

I have students that always comment on how much they have learned while being at TSTC and how much they retained in such a short period of time. They remember lectures and labs that have helped them while working in the field. They tell me, “I am glad I paid attention when you showed us how to configure a router and switch or when you showed us how to wire a network properly.”

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.