Student Secures New Career Path
Jared Schemanski didn’t start out looking for a career in computer security, but when something is meant to be, fate has a way of stepping in.
Starting Out
For five years Schemanski worked as a truck driver, logging long hours on the road and time away from his family and friends. Hoping to get a leg up in the industry, he started looking into a degree in logistics. “I wanted to get out of the truck,” he said. “I never went to college, but always wanted to attend. I knew I could do better for myself so I started focusing on getting the right education.”
When it came time to choosing a college, he immediately gravitated towards WCC and its articulation agreement with Eastern Michigan University (EMU). After taking a few computer classes, Schemanski discovered just how much he enjoyed working in network security. The decision to switch career paths was evident and in 2012 at the age of 32 Schemanski graduated from WCC with degrees in Applied Science of Computer Networking and Applied Science in Computer Security. He now works for Nuspire Networks in Commerce Township as a tier two network engineer.
“WCC has great instructors. They understood I was working and going to school at the same time,” recalls Schemanski. “They offered me a lot of flexibility and were really committed to making sure I completed my degree. I had a lot of help and support from all of my professors.”
The Program
The Computer Science program at WCC prepares students to transfer to Eastern Michigan University to complete a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Applied Computer Science. Graduates enjoy careers in computer science fields such as computer systems programming and analysis, software development and maintenance and applications programming.
Finding Success
Schemanski is flourishing in his new career path. In fact, he is back in school at EMU pursing a bachelor’s degree in information assurance with a focus on network security. “If you don’t start you can’t finish,” he says. “It can be challenging at times, but as long as you keep one class on your schedule you are more likely to take another the next semester. It gets easier and you can do it.”