When Fírebamí Babalola moved from Prince George’s County, Maryland, to attend St. John’s University in New York, he was looking for more than a degree. He sought opportunities to turn his classroom learning into a professional career in cybersecurity.

“What really pulled me in was the strength of the Cyber Security Systems degree program and the fact that it sits right in New York,” Babalola said. “The program is hands-on, and I knew it could set me up for real opportunities like internships and networking. Being in Queens means you’re a train ride away from some of the world’s biggest companies and cybersecurity teams in the world, so I saw it as the perfect place to build knowledge and connections.”

Babalola’s decision was influenced by his father, who encouraged him to consider the opportunities available in New York. “He pushed me to look at what New York could offer in terms of opportunities,” Babalola said. “Being in Queens puts you right next to New York City opportunities, and that’s huge for someone in cybersecurity. You’re not just learning in class—you’re networking, interning, and building your career in the middle of one of the world’s busiest tech and business hubs.”

At St. John’s, Babalola became involved in student organizations such as the African Students Association and the Association for Computing Machinery chapter. “Both were about connection for me,” he said. “One rooted me in my culture, and the other sharpened me in my field. Both gave me networks and a community that made my St. John’s experience real.”

Campus jobs also contributed to his development. Working at the Office of Information Technology Service Center, Babalola gained practical skills in troubleshooting and communication. “It’s the mix,” he said. “Class knowledge, real-world internships, and campus jobs like working at the IT Center—all of it built me into someone who can handle the technical and people sides of cybersecurity.”

Faculty support played a significant role in Babalola’s journey. “Professors push you; they give you space to find your lane, and that’s inspiring in itself.” He credited Erald Troja, Ph.D., Associate Professor in The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies, as an important mentor who helped him secure an internship at the New Jersey Courts. “Dr. Troja really opened doors for me,” Babalola said. “That’s the kind of support you get here. It’s not just teaching—they’re looking out for where you can go next.”

Babalola’s internships provided hands-on experience. At New Relic, he worked remotely on security engineering, scaling, and system protection. His internship at New Jersey Courts focused on Linux hardening and compliance testing. “That was my first time really seeing how compliance drives security decisions in real organizations,” he said.

During his internship at Verizon, Babalola explored security engineering and automation, bridging classroom concepts with practical tools. “That’s where I learned how to take classroom concepts and turn them into tools a team could actually use,” he said.

As part of the Cyber Policy Leadership Institute, Babalola learned how cybersecurity relates to government and organizational policy. “It was eye-opening because it showed me this field isn’t just about fixing systems—it’s about influencing how organizations and people make decisions around security.”

Reflecting on his experiences, Babalola said, “Each internship provided me with a different lane. Together, they taught me that cybersecurity is wide open, and the skills I’ve built at St. John’s translate no matter where I go.”

With graduation approaching, Babalola remains open to various career paths within cybersecurity. “Career-wise, I’m keeping the door wide open—cybersecurity is so broad, and I know New York puts me in the middle of endless opportunities,” he said. “I want to keep learning and stay ready to step into the right lane.”

He now sees cybersecurity as his chosen field. “I realize that cybersecurity isn’t just my major—it’s the field I want to grow in,” Babalola said. “The internships opened my eyes to how many different directions I can go, whether that’s security engineering, blue-team work, policy, or something new I haven’t even touched yet.”

Looking ahead, Babalola aims to make an impact in his field and inspire others from his background. “More than anything, I want to use what I’ve built here to make an impact—protecting people, creating new pathways, and making sure others from where I’m from see that it’s possible, too,” he said. “St. John’s gave me the foundation, opportunities, and support. Now, I feel like I can walk into any room and know I belong.”