Military security to network security to job security

Justin Domon stands outside of TVA, where he works as an intern. He was a student in UTC’s Bachelor of Applied Science: Information Technology in Cybersecurity (BAS-IT CyS) program. Photo by Angela Foster.

If things go his way, Justin Domon will transition from TVA network security intern to full-time employee with the federal power company this fall.

He’s set to graduate from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s accelerated Bachelor of Applied Science: Information Technology in Cybersecurity (BAS-IT CyS) program in August. That’s just 12 months after he enrolled in 2023. Following that, he’ll remain a paid intern with TVA through the end of 2024 or until he takes a full-time position—whichever comes first.

“I feel good about my prospects,” Domon said. “Employers value some experience along with a degree, and the required internship element of this program gives you relevant experience at the same time it gives you the opportunity to practice what you learn in the classroom.

“For example, I’m on the networking team at TVA now, so I’m learning about troubleshooting network problems, and there’s a lot of correlation between what we’re doing and the network classes I’ve already had.”

Domon said he likes the field of network security and, coincidentally, security was part of his role during four years of service with the U.S. Air Force.

“I was a security force member in the Air Force—physical security—and part of my job included monitoring security alarms on base and dispatching people to respond when that was necessary,” he said. “The Air Force is big on cyber, so I was exposed to that as well.”

Still, his first foray into college after leaving the Air Force in 2020 as an E4 senior airman was as a student in the dental hygiene program at Chattanooga State Community College. He knew someone in the program and believed the career outlook was good.

“Dental hygiene is really big on science classes, and those weren’t for me,” Domon said of his decision to leave that program after a year. “I’m more of a math guy. I don’t love math, but I’m good in math, and this is a career path that I think is better-suited to my abilities in math.”

Justin Domon

Domon was curious about the UTC BAS-IT CyS program—from when he initially heard of its launch with the first cohort in January 2023—but waited to learn more before enrolling in its second cohort.

The program is designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience sought in the tech-driven workplace. It does so through classroom instruction and by requiring students to work in paid internships in the community.

Students in the BAS-IT CyS degree program attend class in the mornings and work weekdays from 1-5 p.m. at their respective companies to gain hands-on experience in core subjects. While the pace is fast, so is time to completion.

“The fast pace and the in-person classes are really what made me want to do the program,” Domon said. “Being face-to-face with our instructors and the opportunity to ask questions or hear the questions other students ask in real time was a big part of what attracted me. Also, our classes are small—there are only six students in my cohort—so you get to know everybody real well and it’s easy to ask questions.

“The accelerated pace is intense, but from it you also learn time management, prioritizing tasks and self-discipline.”

In addition to receiving a degree, Domon said of graduation, he looks forward to more free time—in which he expects to continue learning.

“With studying and required reading, there’s not a lot of time for reading, otherwise, but there is more I want to dive into and learn about—keeping up with new developments in different areas—and it’ll be nice to be able to do that,” he said. “As for my future, I’m confident and looking forward to what it brings.”