Tommy Pearson ’22
Posted on: November 14, 2023
Cybersecurity
Occupation: Information Security Specialist
Tommy Pearson ’22 was North Greenville University’s first Cybersecurity program graduate, earning his degree in the fall of 2022.
“I was drawn to the field of cybersecurity at a young age,” Pearson said. “I would play video games and look for different exploits. I wanted to figure out why systems were vulnerable and how they could be patched. I always wanted to pursue a career in the information technology field, and cybersecurity started booming while I was in college.”
Starting as a Business Management major, Pearson made the jump to cybersecurity when North Greenville began offering the bachelor’s degree in 2021.
“Through the program at North Greenville, you learn a broad overview of cybersecurity and how to find vulnerabilities. You essentially learn how a hacker might think in cybersecurity; you’re constantly growing. You have to keep up with what’s happening and how things are changing so you can stay prepared.”
Pearson said his time at NGU was valuable because of the connections he was able to make within his program.
“One thing that’s easy to forget is the important connections you make in college. Those people that you’re around all day, every day, are going to be professionals out there with you in the field,” he said. “Whether it’s in cybersecurity or another field, those relationships are important and will remain important after graduation.”
Pearson also emphasized internships and the knowledge he gained by applying what he’d learned.
“Getting that hands-on experience is so important,” he said. “There’s a big difference between learning something and applying it.”
