Students Learn About Future Career Possibilities At “Cyber Day”

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Everyday, on the job, at home or on the go, computers play a vital role in all of our activities. The need for computer programmers and cyber security experts is growing, so companies are looking to schools to help meet that demand. That’s what prompted a local school to hold a cyber day for students.

Students at Milam Elemtnary were learning about cyber security through a computer game, and they are also hearing from someone who helps fight cyber threats every day.

The Cyber Day demonstration is sponsored by Circadence, a Tupelo based cyber security company.

“We want to spread the gospel about computer science, how kids don’t just need to consume technology, but create technology,” said Brad Prewitt, of Circadence.

Laura Sheffield is the media specialist at Milam, and she is also sponsor for a new club that will start soon called Cyber Ninjas. Sheffield has been teaching students about computer programming and writing code and believes the cyber day demonstration will peak their interest.

“We hope they see a connection between what they’re doing in the classroom with real life, that’s one of the reasons for this presentation,” Sheffield said.

Circadance is hoping to get involved with similar programs at other schools, it’s part of an effort to increase the interests among young people in possible careers in computer programming and cyber security.

“A lot of schools and our educational apparatus haven’t gotten it yet and that’s why there’s a gap of half a million employees now in computer science jobs around the country, the highest wage growth area, highest demand area, in Mississippi alone, median wage is double that of the average,” Prewitt said.

Circadence will be involved with Milam’s Cyber Ninjas after school club. That club will start next month.

Circadence will host a “Hack A Thon” next year for high school students. The event will pit the most tech savvy students against each other in various computer based challenges.