Reentering the Workforce a Smooth Transition for ECPI University Graduate

Deborah Meighan began working with computers when they were just starting to become an essential part of everyday life. She served in the Air Force from 1987 to 1994, working with mainframes. She left the service to become a mom and raise her children. Fourteen later, she was ready to return to IT, but a great deal had changed. “It was nothing like before, that’s for sure,” says Deborah. “I wouldn’t say the IT profession had passed me by, but I certainly did have some catching up to do!”

Deborah decided to return to college. Feeling she had no time to waste, ECPI University’s accelerated, year-round cyber and network security program seemed ideal. “I think if I had gone to a traditional four-year school, I would have lost some of my intensity,” she says. “I was ready to re-enter my profession, not become a professional student.”

Deborah enrolled at the Newport News campus and stayed right on schedule, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Network Security in 2.5 years. Most importantly, she had a job waiting for her the moment she graduated. “The civilian contractor at Fort Eustis came to campus to interview students for a position as a technical support specialist,” she says. “If ECPI University didn’t have that kind of relationship with the Army, I would have never had the chance to compete for that job.”

From there, Deborah moved to the Training Brain Operation Center which supports TRADOC with simulation and training scenarios for deploying soldiers. She performed system administration, training, and information assurance for NIPR, SIPR, VMware, and Linux systems. Until this summer, she was in charge of cyber training for the Air Force’s cyber operators in San Antonio, Texas, but was recently promoted to software test engineer.

“My degree, along with the certifications I have received while attending ECPI have played an integral role in my ability to position myself competitively for many positions,” says Deborah. “I am still obtaining certifications in this ever-changing industry. And because I have a degree, I can command a certain bump up in salary for government contracting positions.”

Clearly, Deborah has risen up ranks at a brisk pace. How does she account for it? She’s too modest to take a lot of credit. “I just keep pushing and pushing,” she says. “When I got into this field, I stood out as an African-American woman. I knew I just had to work hard. I still work hard to keep up with these young ones who are now working their way up. I will say this: I have been blessed by God. He always seems to open a door at just the right time.”

Are you looking to reenter the workforce with a cutting-edge technology degree? If you are interested in earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science Degree with a Major in Cyber and Network Security, ECPI University offers this degree at an accelerated pace. Connect with a helpful admissions advisor today for more information.

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Gainful Employment Information – Cyber and Network Security - Bachelor’s

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