Hayden Nielson, a certificate seeking student of our Career and Technical Education Program, was awarded the BATC Student of the Year – Runner Up for 2016. Hayden came to BATC as a senior in High School, a little unsure of what direction he wanted to take his career. Hayden has always loved computers and dissected his first computer at the age of three!
At BATC, Hayden took his first computer class - CompTIA A+. However, upon joining the BATC CyberPatriot Team, Hayden discovered that his real enthusiasm for computers centered on cyber security. Recently, his CyberPatriot Team took first in the State of Utah and tenth in the national competition.
Hayden was congratulated on a job well done and presented with a $750 check to continue his education. We are so proud of Hayden and his accomplishments.
Hayden’s Story
I selected a Career and Technical Education to improve my life. Because in this modern world, a higher education is vital for a person to thrive in the workforce. Bridgerland Applied Technology College is a metaphorical gateway into a career, and with my education, I will be able to get a career that would have been out of reach otherwise.
The field of cybersecurity is growing, and within the coming years as computers become ever more increasingly integrated into our society it is paramount that computer systems are able to be secured by competent individuals that are proficient with securing such systems.
I hope to further my education after graduating from BATC by going to Utah State University, and getting a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. The Bachelor’s would help me by giving me an even greater edge when it comes to understanding the security of a system by giving me knowledge of how computer systems work on a more than fundamental level. So that one day I could become the best in the field of cybersecurity.
After getting my Bachelor’s I hope to do my part for my country by defending its cyber borders from outside threats. The threats to the safety of highly sensitive information are numerous, and the defenders are scarce.
I have chosen a technical education because it is the only way that I see myself achieving my dreams of becoming the best within the field of cyber security. With BATC, I can see a future that is full of promise and fulfillment.