Polk State Network Systems student lands prestigious internship with DoW

At just 19 years old, Polk State College student Angel Vazquez never would have guessed he would be working alongside some of the brightest minds in the U.S. government’s largest agency.

Earlier this spring, Vazquez was chosen to take part in a prestigious 10-week internship program with the U.S. Department of War (DoW), administered through the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC). With 26 internship programs across the DoW, less than 25% of applicants were selected.

“It’s been an absolute blessing,” Vazquez exclaimed. “To be doing work for the federal government at 19 is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Being able to learn from some of the best people in their field has grown my skill set, enhanced my resume and expanded my knowledge.”

Vazquez just completed his first academic year at Polk State in the Network Systems Engineering Technology Program where he’s pursuing a security specialization. From June 1 through Aug. 7, Vazquez interned at the National Cyber Range Complex-Unclassified (NCRC-U) in Orlando. Over the 10 weeks, Vazquez learned how to gather intelligence, evaluate cybersecurity vulnerabilities and create reports among other things.

“Angel has shown a strong aptitude for offensive security concepts and maintains the ethical discipline required for penetration testing,” said Christopher Torres, Outreach Lead for NCRC-U. “By continuing to hone his technical execution alongside his communication and leadership skills, he has built a highly valuable skill set for his career in the future.”

The paid internship culminated in a capstone project in which Vazquez briefed a panel of security experts on how hackers can exploit a specific cybersecurity vulnerability and how those threats can be evaluated. The internship also enhanced Vazquez’s collaborative and public speaking skills by working in a team setting and presenting before an audience.

“Angel’s achievement reflects the exceptional preparation our students receive at Polk State College and the important role they can play in protecting our nation’s future,” Polk State President Anastasios Kamoutsas said. “Cybersecurity is one of the most critical challenges facing our nation, and it is inspiring to see one of our students earning the opportunity to serve alongside professionals dedicated to strengthening our national defense. We are proud of Angel and are excited to see the impact he will make.”

Why Polk State?

A graduate of Polk Virtual School, Vazquez is halfway through the Associate in Science degree program at Polk State. Set to graduate in the spring, Vazquez hopes to work in network engineering but also wants to own his own company one day where he builds personal computers.

“What stands out is how unique the program is,” Vazquez said of the Polk State Network Systems Engineering Technology Program. “The degree is very specific, and the coursework is outstanding because it gives you experience in different operating systems. It’s the perfect mix of network systems and cybersecurity.”

With experienced professionals in the field as faculty members, the program provides students with the skills to enter the high-wage, in-demand field of information technology. The program uses a combination of hands-on activities and state-of-the-art simulators to provide training across a wide range of skills valued by the industry. During his time at Polk State, Vazquez has found a mentor in Professor Freddie Acevedo.

“He’s always willing to help you,” Vazquez explained. “All of his coursework is detailed and allows me to learn a lot of material in-depth and in a short amount of time.”

The program courses provide preparation for industry certification exams across a broad range of disciplines from CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft and Palo Alto. Vazquez offered advice for those considering the program.

“Be open and be versatile,” he urged. “The program does a great job preparing you for the workforce. There aren’t a lot of places where you can get this degree with a specialization in security. This program will make your resume stand out. For me to secure an internship like this one, it just shows the possibilities are endless.”

Students can apply for a DoW internship by clicking here. The next application window is from Sept. 1 through Nov. 1.