All right, well, one thing that's no
laughing matter is cyber security.
Did you know that October is
cyber Security Awareness Month?
It is well getting a career in this field
is not as difficult as it may seem.
I spoke with WGU Washington
about how they can help.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness
Month and we sure have been hearing a
lot about it in the media and Andre.
You've carved out quite a
successful career in cybersecurity,
and it talk about the role cyber
security plays in protecting
families and businesses.
Yes, cyber security is is very important.
You know from families and for corporations
to protect their digital assets.
You know there's just been this
increase in cyber security incidents
during the pandemic specifically
because there are a lot of people
working from home and accessing
websites online to get their goods
shipped to their to their homes.
So it's super important to have
good safety practices.
For your personal and corporate life,
you know Tonya.
There is a significant need
right now for more cybersecurity
professionals and WGU.
Washington offers a program
specifically geared for that, right?
So what sets your university's
College of it apart from other
educational options? Sure,
thanks so much Amity and thanks
for also celebrating with us
our last 10 year anniversary.
It was wonderful to connect with you.
Yes, cyber security is one of our
fastest growing programs at WGU.
We are an online university
and provide flexible,
affordable ways for opportunities
for individuals who are seeking
degrees in the IT field,
like cybersecurity and I I think about
sort of this pandemic and we talk
about all the heroes and sheroes in
healthcare and our teacher education.
But really,
I mean we have a lot to think
about those who are protecting our
cybersecurity and more individuals
who are seeking to go into that field.
Absolutely. So Andre, your academic
journey could be considered.
I don't know unconventional
so when WGU says why not me
for an IT degree which I love.
By the way, what does that mean to you?
Well, you know you know my
journey was unconditional.
I was already a I was in my
career in growing in my career.
I found that I was being
asked to make bigger,
more business oriented decisions.
WGU offered me a way to be able
to maintain my career and build
skills in a in a nightie management.
So from that perspective I was able to,
you know, get credit for what I
knew R rated but also developed the
skills which I applied to my job.
And allowed me to continue to grow and
take on more responsibility overtime?
Well, that's great.
It kind of worked perfectly for
you Tonya. I love that slogan.
What does that mean to you? Sure
what it means to me. I think we've
heard a lot during this pandemic.
It's given people pause to
really think about what they
want to do after the pandemic,
and we've heard a lot of people
making changes in their careers
like wholesale changes.
And to me I think this provides
an opportunity for everyone.
Anybody who's thought about getting
into IIT fields and hadn't thought
about that as a career choice for them,
it really is for everyone
considering the huge opportunities.
And the huge need that we
have moving forward.
I think now is the time for
individuals to act to get ahead
of that and get those degrees to
come out of this pandemic with the
skill sets they need to help us.
Andre, your experience at WGU has
inspired you to give back in a way.
Tell us about the WGU scholarship
and that personal story behind it.
If you wouldn't mind sharing
yes, of course you know my the the
scholarship is named after my my aunt
who passed away when I was very young
when I was only 14 years old and she
was an educator that worked in the New
Orleans area and Louisiana and her.
She would give back.
Through her own money to help
kids get jackets and shoes and
she would tutor in in home.
So I feel that you know now I'm in
a fortunate position to be able to
help others get into careers that
are very lucrative and in high tech.
And the the WGU model allows
for you know career switch or in
career that want to grow and the
scholarship in her name's the shirt,
the Sheila.
Gallery Memorial Fund and that allows.
You know anyone really to be
able to jump into WGU and make
that transition or or growth?
So I'm happy to be able to partner
with WGU to offer this opportunity
to anyone who who applies.
You know Tonya. In addition to this,
is Sheila Gilroy scholarship.
How else is WGU supporting
prospective students?
Absolutely. So we definitely think
individuals like Andre for coming
forward to provide scholarships.
In addition to that,
we do have cyber security scholarships
that individuals can apply for if
they're interested in that field.
And for those who might not have access
to the Internet to continue their degree,
we do have online access scholarships also.
And so really just bridging
that digital divide.
It is so key, and it's something
that we are all fighting very
much to to get out there.
So thank you for your work in that.
That digital divide is something
that provides so many barriers.
And thank you both for the work on
the scholarship, which would also
breakdown barriers to Andre Tanya.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you Emily.
And to learn more about what WGU
Washington has to offer, just
visit the website on your screen
or the link on New Day's website.
Getting out of your comfort zone every once
in a while. It's a good thing, right?
Well, up next we are stretching
out of our wardrobe comfort zone.
I'll be right back.
This portion of New Day Northwest
is sponsored by WGU Washington.