UTEP CyberCorps® SFS Program
Information Session
02/23/2016
Program committee:
Dr. Salamah Salamah
Dr. Ann Gates
Dr. Luc Longpré
Dr. Christopher Kiekintveld
Program Coordinator:
Ms. Rosa Alfaro
Agenda:
•
Introduction to the SFS program
•
Benefits
•
Requirements
•
Obligations
•
Deciding if the SFS program is right for you
•
SFS program application process
•
How to market yourself
2
SFS Program Goals and Objectives
3
 Provide
scholarships to students who will enter the workforce capable of
taking a disciplined, process-oriented approach in the creation and
deployment of complex, secure systems

Address the national need for workforce immersed in secure cybersystems development
Software Engineering and Cybersecurity National
Needs - 1

4
Software Engineering:
 Bureau
of Labor Statistics predicts a growth in the demand for
software engineers at a rate 30%-35% between 2008-2018
 CNNMoney
reports on the Best jobs in America in 2015:

# 1: Software Architect (23% job growth 10 year forecast)

# 8: Database Developer (23%)

# 32: Software QA Manager (15%)
 IEEE-CS
World”
reports “Why Software Engineering is Still the Best Job in the
Software Engineering and Cybersecurity National
Needs - 2

Cybersecurity:










Average Annual Cost to Company for Cyber Crime in 2013: $11,600,000
Identities Exposed in July 2013 – June 2014: 574,000,000
Increase in average Information Security Budgets in 2013: ~49%
Security Job Postings in 2015: 209,749
Growth in cybersecurity-related job postings between 2007 and 2014: 74%
Cybersecurity Professionals to Hire by US Cyber Command: 4,900
Expected Increase in Number of Security Professionals Worldwide: 4,240,000
Average Salary of Security Professionals: $91,210
Unemployment Rate in Information Security: <1%
Diversity in Cybersecurity Workforce: 5-11%
5
Preparation provided by UTEP’s SFS program
6

UTEP is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

The Computer Science Department offers tracks in Secure CyberSystems in both the BSCS and MSSwE programs

Scholarship awardees benefit from joining a Cybersecurity Affinity
Group

Department provides a range of extracurricular activities focused on
cybersecurity
Image from UTEP stock
UTEP’s SFS Program Benefits

Full tuition

$3,000 health Insurance

$2,000 School Supplies

$4,000 Travel

Annual Stipend
 Undergraduate:
 Graduate:
$22,500
$34,000
Image from UTEP stock
7
Requirements and Eligibility

U.S. citizenship or permanent residency

Ability to obtain U.S. Security Clearance
8
Requirements and Eligibility - Undergrads

GPA of 3.2 or higher

Senior Standing

Enrollment in the (BSCS/MSSwE) fast-track program
9

Program allows students to receive dual undergraduate and graduate credits for up to 15
hours

Student Requirements:

Completed 90 credit hours or more of the BSCS degree (at least 24 at UTEP)

GPA of 3.3 or higher
Requirements and Eligibility - Graduates

GPA of 3.5 or higher

Enrollment in the MSSwE or Ph.D.-CS programs

Ph.D. students must show evidence of advanced research activities in the area of
cybersecurity
10
Program Obligations

11
Awarded students must commit to:

Complete their degree program successfully and on time

Participate in the CS department’s Cybersecurity Affinity Group

For every year of funding, student must

Complete a summer internship with a participating government agency.

Attend the annual CyberCorps® SFS job fair in Washington DC

Serve in Federal, State, Local, Tribal, or Territorial government positions after graduation.
Service obligation will be equal to one year of service in a cyber-security related position
for each year of funding received.
Is the SFS Program Right for You?
 Advantages
of working in
cybersecurity for the government:
 Health
 Paid
care benefits
time off
 Retirement
 Work
to be aware of
environment
 Choice
of state agencies
 Relocating
benefits
 Family-Friendly
 Job
 Things
policies
security
https://www.usajobs.gov/
12
SFS Program Application Process - 1

Step 1:


Applicants complete, sign, and submit application form by 5:00 pm on Friday
03/04/2016

Application is available under the Scholarships Link on the CS website

http://www.cs.utep.edu/utep-sfs-program/
Applicants Submit the following material with the application form:

Official transcripts

Detailed résumé (Includes names and contact information for two references)

Two-page, single-spaced statement of purpose
13
SFS Program Application Process - 1

Step 2:


Step 3:


Program committee contacts references of highly competitive applicants
Program committee holds individual face-to-face interview with shortlisted
candidates
Step 4:

Program committee announces awards

First cohort of students will be funded starting in Fall 2016
14
How to Submit a Competitive Application

Résumé

Statement of purpose

Selection of references
15
Competitive Application – Résumé – 1*




What is your résumé?
It is your history or past
It is Your best marketing tool
What should you include in your résumé?
All skills and qualifications relevant to the position your are applying for
Who should read your résumé?
Everyone you consider to be vital to your success
It is a critical piece of your professional career
Your Résumé Tells Your Story
*Some
slides are adopted from presentation by OPM personnel during the 2016 CyberSorps® Job Fair
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Competitive Application – Résumé - 2

17
Format: Reverse chronological order
 List
your most recent experience first then work backwards listing
previous experiences
 Include
job-relevant paid/unpaid experience
Competitive Application – Résumé - 3

18
Experience:

Amount of experience: “Managed an 8 person team over 15 years…”

Level of experience: “Routinely advised and briefed organizational senior
executives on…”
Competitive Application – Résumé - 4

Accomplishments:
 Who
was impacted?
 How
significant was the impact?
 What
were the cost savings?
 Did
you exceed deadlines?
 Did
you receive awards or recognition?
 What
changed/improved?
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Competitive Application – Statement of Purpose
A personal statement is about who you are, what has influenced
your career path, your professional interests, and your plans.
 How
can a personal statement be used?
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Competitive Application – Statement of Purpose
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A personal statement is about who you are, what has influenced
your career path, your professional interests, and your plans.
 Essential
 What
points
makes you unique
 Why you are interested in particular opportunity
 Why you are interested in the organization/program to which
you are applying
Selling Yourself and Your Ideas:
Crafting a Statement of Purpose
22
Your Statement of Purpose should
 Explain your understanding of the opportunity
 Describe why you are interested in this opportunity
 Differentiate yourself from other applicants
 Describe your career plan and how the opportunity relates
to that career plan
Before You Write-1
23

What are the goals of the organization or the decision makers?

How do your strengths align with their goals?

What experiences have you had that demonstrate your alignment?

Courses

Projects

Student organizations

Volunteer work

Networks
Before You Write-2
 Start
early and do not be afraid to start over
 Decide
 What
what key points you really want to get across
relevant unique personal experiences do you have?
 Why
is this opportunity for you?
 How
is the opportunity important to your overall goals?
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Review
Criteria


Content

Differentiates the applicant from others

Describes the applicant’s career plan (or long-term goals) and how the SFS Program relates to
that plan (or goals)

States why the applicant is interested in the SFS program and a career in the government

Makes a convincing argument that the applicant will succeed in obtaining a government job in
cybersecurity
Mechanics

Clarity

Organization

Grammar

Appropriateness of detail
Competitive Application - References
Faculty vs. Character Reference

Character references are typically from employers or coworkers

Faculty references are from people who you studied with
Advice

Ask for STRONG references from faculty

They should endorse your current academic/research performance and future
capabilities

Share your goals (industry, professorate, academic administration) – if they don’t
know them, they can’t support them
Very Important

Make sure your references are aware that they might be contacted
27
Reminder: SFS Program Application Process

Step 1:

Applicants complete, sign, and submit application form by 5:00 pm on Friday 03/04/2016




Official transcripts

Detailed résumé (Includes names and contact information for two references)

Two-page, single-spaced statement of purpose
Program committee contacts references of highly competitive applicants
Step 3:


Applicants Submit the following material with the application form:
Step 2:


Application is available under the Scholarships Link on the CS website
Program committee holds individual face-to-face interview with shortlisted candidates
Step 4:

Program committee announces awards

First cohort of students will be funded starting in Fall 2016
28
29
Q/A Session