VIU student aspires to become a cybersecurity expert
The Web and Mobile Development diploma program at VIU has helped Brooks Gill narrow in on the type of information technology career he is passionate about.
His love of programming started in high school, and he credits his computer teacher for allowing him to pursue his interest and have fun doing it. After graduation he had planned to pursue a computer science degree but decided to enroll in an Information Technology and Applied Systems (ITAS) program instead. Web and Mobile Development is one of two ITAS diplomas offered at VIU. Both diplomas hinge on project-based learning to prepare students for careers in this growing industry.
“I am really into programming and coming to VIU has worked out well for me in so many ways,” says Brooks. “Because of the small class sizes, it’s easy to engage with our instructors and many of them graduated from this program, worked in the field and came back to teach, which is important. This way of learning really works.”
Brooks has gotten lots of hands-on experience working with networking infrastructure, as well as coding and application development such as websites or apps for mobile devices.
He has also become particularly interested in cybersecurity and says as more people use artificial intelligence, there will be more security issues and more demand for people with skills in this area. He also likes how there is a wide range of different of jobs in cybersecurity such as combatting fraud or becoming a white hat hacker, also known as an ethical hacker – a cybersecurity professional who finds and fixes vulnerabilities in systems.
“It’s more about problem solving and cracking puzzles,” he says. “As a white hat hacker, a company hires you to make their systems more secure, they give you permission to try and break into their systems, and then you can tell them what they need to change or make the changes yourself.”
Since enrolling in the program, Brooks has come to realize he wants a high-impact job.
“When I'm thinking about my future career, what I see myself doing has changed a lot over time, but one thing is, I want to be doing something that's making real change,” he says. “I think that's an important part of fulfillment. Looking ahead, I am interested in a high-impact cybersecurity role working for the RCMP or another government organization. They need people to figure out what the bad actors – the black hat hackers – are doing.”
Brooks will graduate from the two-year program this spring. At first, he was worried about studying at a small university, but says he is happy to come here every day and be with his instructors and classmates. He also found ways to make the most of his educational journey by joining the local Rotary Club, where he helps make a difference in his community.
“All of the experience you’re getting here is extremely valuable,” says Brooks. “You don’t need to go to a huge university – the skills you walk out of here with prepare you to do everything it takes in this type of work, which is more important than the name on that piece of paper.”
Brooks may continue his formal education by enrolling in a computer science degree. If the opportunity presented itself, he would come back and teach here, he adds.
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