Nicholas “Nick” Strong's life took an unexpected turn when a stroke derailed his military aspirations while serving in the Air Force's Special Operations preparatory course in 2019. Facing a serious prognosis, Nick defied the odds and made a remarkable recovery, vowing never to quit.
With his military dream no longer attainable, Nick sought solace in gaming, where his frustration with hackers sparked an interest in understanding their tactics. This led him to ECPI University's military and veteran friendly approach, where he discovered a new passion for cybersecurity.
At ECPI, Nick found an empathetic and supportive environment. "The school really worked with me to help me succeed...all of the professors and staff,” he said. “I can't express how much they helped me."
He praised ECPI for its unwavering assistance, especially Bill Brown, ECPI University's Executive Director of Military Education, whom he credits as the most helpful person during his academic journey.
Despite the challenges posed by a permanent headache resulting from the stroke, Nick remained driven to accomplish something meaningful. At ECPI, he honed his skills and gained confidence in his abilities, graduating with a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity.
During his job search, ECPI's career services provided consistent support, refining his resume and guiding him through the process. Nick's big break came unexpectedly when he struck up a conversation with an executive from Discover Financial Services. Intrigued by Nick's recent accomplishment, the man requested his resume, leading to a whirlwind of four interviews within four hours.
Drawing on his well-rounded education, Nick impressed the interviewers and secured a position as an Associate Incident & Threat Analyst at Discover. Today, he plays a vital role in combatting cybercrime and safeguarding people from digital threats.
"I joined the military because I wanted to help. I can't jump out of planes anymore, but I can stop cyber criminals,” said Nick. “I can learn a lot more and help a lot more people now."
Nicholas Strong's story exemplifies the power of resilience, adaptability, and how far a student can go with the unwavering support of their ECPI family. He transformed life's obstacles into a rewarding career in cybersecurity, a wonderful example of what determination can achieve.