STCC leads to cybersecurity internship for student leader

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – When inJorge Rodriguez arrived at Springfield Technical Community College, he had a plan.

“I was going to come here, do my work, and leave,” Rodriguez said. “I'm going to be laser focused. I'm not going to talk to anybody. I'm just going to pretty much focus on my academics.”

That plan didn't last long. He got involved, and that made all the difference.

Rodriguez is now the newly elected president of STCC's Student Government Association, preparing to begin a paid cybersecurity internship with CyberTrust, and looking ahead to a high-tech career.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and raised in the Bronx, Rodriguez moved to Springfield and graduated from Springfield High School of Science and Technology in 2017. He spent several years away from school, working, and exploring interests including digital art, social media, video production, and travel.

Jorge naturally brings positive energy and makes people feel good to be around him. Andrea Tarpey, Coordinator of Student Activities

His mother eventually encouraged him to consider computers.

He explored cybersecurity, including taking a free Harvard cybersecurity course that introduced him to the field. What attracted him was the hidden world behind the technology people use every day – and the opportunity to protect it.

“We're so quick to add all of our information on our phones, but we don't really realize who is protecting our information,” Rodriguez said.

He thought about the impact of cyberattacks on individuals, businesses, hospitals, medical records, and financial information.

“I thought, I want to protect communities. I want to protect businesses,” he said. “So that's really what got me into cybersecurity.”

STCC was a natural choice. It offered the Cybersecurity program he was looking for close to home.

Finding support

While Rodriguez came to STCC focused on academics, relationships with faculty helped him realize that college was about more than the classroom.

Professor Denise “Daisy” Flaim, who teaches English and communications, had a particularly strong influence. In her Foundations of Oral Communication course, Rodriguez developed his public speaking skills and gained confidence.

“She was always so supportive and like a huge cheerleader,” he said.

That experience changed his perspective on college.

“I started to realize then that school is more than just academics,” Rodriguez said. “It's about having the support system to push you where you need to go.”

Instructor Chloe Gerhardson also made an impact through Introduction to Python, helping Rodriguez see that a complicated subject could be approachable.

Professor Brian Candido, chair of the Cybersecurity program, said, Rodriguez brings curiosity, determination and a desire to understand how cybersecurity can be used to protect people and organizations.

"This internship with CyberTrust is an exciting opportunity for him to take what he has learned in the classroom and apply it in a real-world environment," Candido said. "We’re proud to see him taking this next step and gaining the hands-on experience that will help prepare him for a successful career in cybersecurity.”

Turning a setback into an opportunity

Rodriguez's path to his internship began after he left a previous job.

He knew he needed employment but wanted something that would also build experience in cybersecurity as he approached graduation. Rather than relying solely on online job boards, Rodriguez turned to STCC's Career Services office.

“I felt like I needed help,” he said. “I feel like sometimes it's hard to ask for help. But it wasn’t hard when I went to Career Services.”

He met with Devin Adams, STCC’s senior enrollment counselor. Rodriguez explained his goals and was quickly connected with an internship opportunity at CyberTrust.

“When I met Jorge, I was immediately struck by how clearly he could articulate his goals and how intentionally he was building toward a career in cybersecurity, even during an unexpected employment transition,” Adams said. “I knew the CyberTrust internship would be an excellent fit because he could translate his classroom learning into skills that matched the job requirements.”

Rodriguez applied and soon received an invitation to interview.

“I was literally jumping up and down,” he said.

Rodriguez drew on his STCC coursework, credentials, and experiences during the interviews. After waiting for the final decision, he received an email telling him he had been selected.

“I felt grateful,” he said. “I had a lot of gratitude for Devin, for STCC, for CyberTrust, to even trust me and guide me to this experience.”

Nathan Andary, Director of Career Services, said his department was created to help students like Rodriguez.

“Career Services works closely with students, faculty, and employers to provide meaningful work-based learning opportunities,” Andary said. “Each experience is designed to bring students closer to a job and career that aligns with their goals.”

Rodriguez began the paid internship Sept. 3. He works 20 hours a week as a security operations center, or SOC, analyst.

Based at STCC's Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at Springfield Union Station, he will help detect and document cybersecurity threats while gaining hands-on experience and preparing for industry certifications and future employment.

Finding his voice as a leader

Rodriguez's leadership journey began when he founded the Foundations of Cosmic Awareness Club, or FOCA, at STCC. The club explores space, science, technology, and the future of humanity.

While staffing a table for FOCA outside Student Activities, a Student Activities staff member encouraged him to run for SGA president. He went for the leadership position and won.

Andrea Tarpey, Coordinator of Student Activities, said, “Jorge naturally brings positive energy and makes people feel good to be around him. He genuinely cares about others and wants to see his fellow students succeed. I believe he’ll bring that same passion and dedication to his role as SGA president and be a fantastic president.”

As SGA president, Rodriguez plans to focus on student involvement and increasing awareness of the resources available to students.

He has heard concerns about transportation, finances, parenting responsibilities, and other challenges that can make it difficult for students to attend college.

Looking ahead

Rodriguez expects to graduate from STCC in May 2027 and plans to transfer to a four-year college, where he hopes to study international relations alongside cybersecurity.

His long-term goal is to work in cybersecurity for the United Nations, potentially focusing on cybersecurity law and satellite networks.

For now, he is embracing the opportunities in front of him and encouraging other students to do the same.

“Don't be afraid to ask for help,” Rodriguez said. “There's an immense amount of people that are here to genuinely see you grow and help you.”

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth’s only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC’s highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the College—a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution—seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed, and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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