Marshall University hosted a Cybersecurity and Cyber Forensic career fair Tuesday, letting students meet professionals in the field.
The event was held at Marshall in the Memorial Student Center at 10 a.m.
The career fair was aimed at students who have an interest in cybersecurity, cyber forensics and other related fields. The Office of Career Education was able to bring in cybersecurity professionals that are looking for employees and to help students start their careers into cybersecurity and forensics. The businesses and companies were able to set up tables around the student center to hand out information pamphlets to students.
Associate Professor of Cybersecurity and Cyber Forensics Bill Gardner said that they wanted to hold this event to let students know that there are jobs in the cybersecurity profession.
Bill Gardner, Associate Professor of Cybersecurity and Cyber Forensics
“Right now, there are millions of unfilled jobs in Cybersecurity, and we want to help ensure the security of the nation by producing students that go into these jobs,” Gardner said.
Gardner also said that for the event they brought in local cybersecurity professionals to help ensure that students know they don’t have to leave West Virginia to get a job in this field.
“We want people to stay here in West Virginia, if they want to stay here, they have that ability to stay here, they don’t have to move away to get a job, “Garder said. “It’s also an investment in the state of West Virginia if they stay here.”
They were able to bring in nine different companies, that work in cybersecurity; to be at the fair for students to walk around and meet them so they can learn about the companies and what they do specifically. Some of the companies included The Department of Veterans Affairs, the FBI, IntelliPoint Technologies LLC, and WV Department of Transportation, and more.
With the event this helped students get their feet wet so they can move forward in the profession.
Junior Kaden Fields said the reason for getting into the cybersecurity profession is because of Marshall.
Kaden Fields, Junior Cybersecurity student
“The reason I got into the cybersecurity field is because, especially at Marshall, there are so many opportunities, there’s an increase of funding from the government,” Fields said. “And it’s one of the fastest growing jobs in the country, it’s a field that if you get your feet in the ground early there’s opportunities to expand pretty much everywhere, all over the country”
He also said that the event helps make things easier when you finally get into the profession.
“And having this local job fair, where you can show up, talk to real people, see their face, hand out resumes, get information packets, it’s really helpful because, ultimately the first step is often the hardest, and once you built a net of networking, and you have people to talk too and you know a guy that knows a guy, it’s easier,” Fields said.
Freshman Athena Teasley said the event is also helpful for students because students don’t know these companies are out there or it might help change your mind about your major.
“I think it’s good that Marshall does these types of things because a lot of people don’t know that it’s here, I think it’s just a great resource overall, even if you aren’t necessarily in the major it could help change your mind,” Teasley said.
Another Freshman Alexzandria Crumb said that with Marshall you see things and get opportunities that you didn’t see in high school.
Teasley also said that the fair is a place you can go, if you are looking to pursue a minor.
Athena Teasley (right) and Alexzandria Crumb (left) Freshman at Marshall
“I think it could also help, maybe help you figure out what you want to minor in, because a lot of people know what their majoring in but don’t know what they’re going to minor in,” Teasley said.