From Classroom to Corporate headquarters: City colleges Students gain Cybersecurity Insights at McDonald’s
During National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, twenty-four students from teh City Colleges of Chicago gained firsthand exposure to the world of corporate cybersecurity with a visit to McDonald’s global headquarters in Chicago’s West Loop. The October 14th event, organized by Kennedy-King College’s Tech Launchpad, aimed to connect students with potential career paths and work-based learning opportunities.
The students toured the modern office space and participated in a practical cybersecurity simulation, demonstrating real-world applications of concepts learned in their coursework. They also had the possibility to engage with McDonald’s cybersecurity professionals, including the Chief Information Security Officer and current apprentices.
Asha McClarence, a cybersecurity student at Kennedy-King College, described the visit as invaluable. As a career changer seeking to enter the tech industry,she especially appreciated hearing directly from apprentices about their daily tasks and projects. “I feel really lucky to have experiences like this that open me up to potential career paths,” McClarence stated, adding that she could envision herself in their roles in the near future.
Ibrahim Bedaso, a student at Truman college, echoed this sentiment. A returning student who previously earned an associate degree from Truman and ran a small business, Bedaso is focused on expanding his knowledge of AI and cybersecurity. He was impressed by the exhibition of McDonald’s security protocols. “we learn about this type of material in class, but to see it in person was eye-opening,” he said.
Kennedy-King College’s Tech Launchpad plays a crucial role in preparing students for success in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. The program focuses on providing access to high-quality training and experiences, equipping students to compete for opportunities at leading global companies like McDonald’s. The visit underscored the practical application of their studies and highlighted the potential for future careers in the field.
