Overview
This interactive four-hour workshop empowers career counselors, academic advisors, and educators who guide students toward cybersecurity careers. Participants will explore comprehensive tools, activities, and resources designed to inspire and inform students about cybersecurity pathways. Through engaging presentations, collaborative discussions, and hands-on activities, participants will gain valuable insights into cybersecurity workforce demands, role diversity, educational pathways, and industry credentials.
By workshop completion, participants will possess essential knowledge, resources, and practical tools to effectively guide diverse learners toward rewarding cybersecurity careers, addressing critical workforce gaps while enabling informed career decisions.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the Cybersecurity Landscape:
- Explore the fundamentals of cybersecurity, its importance, and its diverse applications across industries​​.
- Review current workforce gaps and projections for future needs, emphasizing the critical role of advisors in bridging these gaps​​.
2. Introduce Key Resources and Frameworks:
- Familiarize participants with the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework and CyberSeek Pathways Tool to explore career roles and necessary competencies​​.
- Navigate the Cybersecurity Careers Toolkit and Workbook to access practical tools and activities​​.
3. Develop Personalized Pathway Strategies:
- Learn to align students’ interests, values, and skills with cybersecurity pathways using self-assessment tools and career exploration methods​.
- Analyze academic options, including credentials, certifications, and scholarship opportunities, to tailor guidance for individual students​​.
4. Overcome Challenges and Misconceptions:
- Address barriers, such as misconceptions about cybersecurity being overly technical, and discuss strategies to inspire confidence and inclusivity​​.
- Highlight extracurricular opportunities to build practical skills and increase student engagement in the cybersecurity field​​.
5. Apply Learning Through Practical Activities:
- Utilize hands-on tools including the Career Comparison Table, Certification Exploration, and Scholarship Analysis
- Develop advising expertise through case studies and role-play scenarios to build confidence and practical skills
Speakers
John Sands: Dr. John Sands has over 30 years of experience in education and workforce research in the areas of data communications, manufacturing technologies, information technology, information security management and cybersecurity. He currently serves as the department chair and professor of information technology at Moraine Valley Community College. John also serves as the Principal Investigator/Executive Director of the Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA), an NSF/ATE National Support Center. John’s team has studied the technology workforce needs both in the local Chicago metropolitan region and nationally as the Principal Investigator of CSSIA. He holds a Ph.D. from Colorado State University and several industry certifications.
As a department chair, full time faculty member, and academic researcher, he has developed and taught numerous online technology courses using an integrated virtual teaching and learning environment. Dr. Sands has served as the executive director of one of the most successful Cisco System – Networking Academy Training Centers in the country. John also possesses a very strong background in developing and implementing online curriculum for both students and faculty and has been the recipient of several awards in the area of innovation and teaching. Professor Sands also has received several academic awards including the Master Teacher of the Year, Innovator of the Year and the Career Pathways Partnership Excellence Award – Best Dual Credit Program.
Kristine Christensen: Dr. Kristine Christensen is a Professor in the Computer Information Systems department and the Director of Faculty Development at Moraine Valley Community College. With over two decades of experience in teaching and faculty development, she has developed and taught curriculum in website development, user interface design principles, programming, networking, robotics, and engineering technology. She specializes in designing innovative programs that support educators’ professional growth and enhance student learning. She is also passionate about empowering diverse learners and helping them develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed in their lives and careers. She actively mentors underserved student populations to increase diversity and equity in the information technology and cybersecurity workforce.
Kristine holds a Bachelor of Science in Business with a double major in Human Resource Management and Industrial Psychology from Valparaiso University, a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Consulting from Eastern Illinois University, a Master of Science in Management Information Systems with a focus in Computer Programming and Electronic Commerce from Governors State University, a Master of Science in Teaching and Learning from St. Francis University, a Master of Arts in Mass Communication and graduate certificate in Online Communications and Web Design from the University of Florida, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Community College Leadership from Old Dominion University. She is current pursuing a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from the Georgia Institute of Technology. In addition to her academic credentials, she has earned professional certifications in information technology and networking, manufacturing and robotics, programming, and web development.
Actively involved in research and curriculum development, Dr. Christensen has contributed to grants awarded by the National Science Foundation, National Security Agency, and the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. Her work includes leading national initiatives to diversify the cybersecurity workforce, creating pathways for underrepresented students, and coordinating professional development workshops. As an accomplished educator and leader, Dr. Christensen is dedicated to bridging the gap between education and industry, fostering academic excellence, and inspiring the next generation of IT and cybersecurity professionals.