Noah Syler, who graduated from the UTC BAS-IT CyS degree program in December 2023, will start working as a systems programmer at EPB in 2024. Photo by Angela Foster.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has been a portal—of sorts—for Noah Syler’s path from the military to his new career in IT.
A former member of the Marine Corps, Syler graduated in December 2023 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Technology in Cybersecurity degree.
Originally from Smyrna, Tennessee, Syler traveled the world while in the military, including being stationed in Iwakuni, Japan, with his wife, also a Tennessee native.
After Syler left the military, the two chose to relocate and transition back into civilian life in Chattanooga. Drawn by the city’s familiar trails and familial connections, it was a natural choice for the couple.
From building bombs, missiles and weapons systems in the Marine Corps to diving into the world of IT, his career has taken a 180-degree turn.
His internship at Miller Industries, the largest tow truck manufacturer in the United States, is a testament to his adaptability and skill. Here, he thrived in a multifaceted role, dabbling in programming, web development and network administration—a perfect mirror to his studies at school.
What stands out in Syler’s story is his newfound passion for programming. His experience at Miller Industries bolstered his confidence in his programming abilities and helped him realize that this was the path he wanted to pursue.
Looking ahead, Syler is set to join EPB as a software developer.
Attracted by the company’s reputation as a leader in network and fiber technology, he said he looks forward to joining a team known for its excellence and camaraderie. Syler is eager to continue growing, especially under the guidance of his team members at Miller, who have been instrumental in shaping his interest and confidence in software development.
His story is also one of balancing intense learning with family life, managing a demanding one-year program while being a father to two young children. His Mocs experience has been shaped by the program’s responsiveness to feedback and its continual evolution, something that Syler appreciates.
Reflecting on his journey, Syler acknowledged the importance of the integrated internship experience in his program. It’s not just about gaining knowledge in the classroom; it’s about applying that knowledge in real-world settings, sharpening skills and becoming an attractive prospect in the competitive IT workforce.
Like many of his classmates, Syler was drawn to the program as a way into the IT field and because of its 12-month format.
The new program is designed for:
- people with a bachelor’s degree
- people with an associate’s degree
- transfer students who have completed general education requirements
- full-time students who meet the pre-enrollment requirements; they will finish the program in a year with six terms of intense year-round learning.
As he steps into his new role at EPB with a robust foundation in both life and academic experiences, Syler stands as a prime example of how diverse experiences can converge to create a dynamic and fulfilling career path.
“UTC’s new BAS-IT Cybersecurity degree program promises to fill a major need in connecting the classroom curriculum to the workforce,” said Steve Morrison, director of information security at EPB of Chattanooga. “With the increasing demand for trained security professionals, I am excited to see the caliber of students that graduate from this program.”
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Miller Industries, where Syler worked as part of his internship for the BAS-ITCyS program, is one of a handful of local companies that have partnered with UTC to employ students in the program.
Students in the BAS-ITCyS program attend class in the mornings and work weekdays from 1-5 p.m. at their respective companies to gain hands-on experiences in core subjects, including:
- computer architecture
- programming and systems analysis
- networking
- telecommunications
- cryptography
- security system auditing and design
- applicable law and regulations
- risk assessment and policy analysis
- contingency planning
- user access issues
- investigation techniques
- troubleshooting
Learn More
Bachelor of Applied Science: Information Technology in Cybersecurity
UTC College of Engineering and Computer Science
UTC Veteran and Military Affairs
UTC graduates first cybersecurity cohort
The first UTC BAS-IT CyS cohort at December 2023 commencement ceremonies. From left: Jaeden Adami, Mischka Scott, College of Engineering and Computer Science Interim Dean Ahad Nasab, Dr. Chang Phuong, Amber Gordy and Noah Syler.
