When Jake Varner interviewed for an internship at The Andersons, the then-freshman was honest with his would-be supervisors: He didn’t know a whole lot about cybersecurity.
But he wanted to learn more, he said. And over the course of that summer’s internship and then steady part-time employment with the locally based agribusiness, he has.
Jake Varner, a senior studying information technology, recently accepted a full-time job as a cybersecurity analyst, with plans to begin after he graduates with a bachelor’s degree in May.
He recently accepted a full-time job as a cybersecurity analyst, with plans to begin after he graduates with a bachelor’s degree in information technology in May.
“I’m extremely happy with cybersecurity, which has become kind of my passion within IT,” Varner said. “That’s what I’ve been doing for the past three years at The Andersons, and I’ve loved every minute.”
Varner’s career trajectory is in line with the objectives of the Choose Ohio First scholarship program, which supports students studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), as well as those pursuing teaching degrees or certificates that focus on those disciplines.
Varner is one of 762 undergraduate and graduate students to benefit from one of these scholarships at The University of Toledo. The Ohio legislature enacted the scholarship program in 2007 to strengthen the state’s competitiveness in STEM by developing scholars in these fields and connecting them with employers in the state. It awards competitive scholarship funding to designated colleges and universities, which in turn recruit, select and support their COF scholars.
Designated colleges and universities also match state funds.
UToledo currently offers a number of scholarships through the Choose Ohio First program. For more information, including application and deadline information, go to UToledo’s Choose Ohio First website.
Varner receives the Improving Retention and Student Success in Computing (IMPRESS-C) Scholarship, covering up to $5,562 each year for four years for students studying computer science and engineering, computer science and engineering technology or information technology.
It’s a good fit for the Waterville native, who has long known he wanted to go into information technology. His father, an uncle and several cousins work in the field.
“I love it,” Varner said. “I’ve been surrounded by it my whole life, so it was kind of a no-brainer.”
The same could be said for his decision to enroll at UToledo. His parents, grandparents and several extended family members are all alumni who instilled an early enthusiasm for the Rockets in Varner, who fondly remembers childhood games at Glass Bowl Stadium.
Varner recalled his excitement at learning he had been awarded the IMPRESS-C Scholarship during his senior year at Anthony Wayne High School. When he added it to a merit-based scholarship he had already been awarded, he realized his tuition was nearly covered.
“That was a huge deal because that was something that was stressing me out,” he said. “How am I going to pay for college? Am I going to have to take on debt?”
The IMPRESS-C Scholarship opened other doors for him when he arrived on campus.
The Andersons internship counted toward a scholarship requirement for recipients to complete a work-based experience. Varner said he’s also connected to students and faculty in the College of Engineering and Jesup Scott Honors College, including through periodic dinners on campus, in an example of the additional support services offered to scholarship recipients.
Varner has stayed busy during his years at UToledo.
He joined First Year Rocket Engineers as a freshman, played with the club lacrosse team his sophomore and junior years, and throughout his time on campus has engaged with the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the Information Systems Security Association.
What’s perhaps kept him the busiest has been his job at The Andersons, where he followed his internship with part-time shifts as a cybersecurity technician during the academic year and full-time employment over summer and winter breaks. He monitors and responds to security threats, as well as educating his colleagues on the same, among his other day-to-day tasks.
“There’s a lot to do, but that’s part of the reason I really like it so much. Every day is interesting and different,” Varner said. “It’s worked out great that I was able to intern with The Andersons, and now that I’ll work for them as soon as I graduate.”
Scott Brahaney, assistant lecturer in the Department of Engineering Technology, expects Varner to do well at The Andersons.
“Jake is a motivated student who is very conscientious about his work product. He’s consistently submitted work that distinguished him from other students,” said Brahaney, who sees him in two classes this semester. “He has an excellent depth of knowledge regarding information technology yet strives to understand concepts at a deeper level through multiple perspectives.
“He is a person who will contribute positively to the profession.”
