Class of 2026
For James Young ’26, a love of math and curiosity about how systems work opened the door to an unexpected passion for cybersecurity. That discovery led to leadership roles, competitive success, and a clear path into the field after he graduates from Florida Polytechnic University with a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics on May 9.
As president of the Cybersecurity Club, Young led the team to earn spots in regional competitions for two straight years. “The club is like my baby. I got into it and found that it is such a massive, expanding world with an always-changing landscape. I’ve met some of my closest friends in the group and being able to pass on my knowledge feels really fulfilling,” he said.
During his time at Florida Poly, Young has served as president and vice president of the Cybersecurity Club, president of the Rock Climbing Club, secretary of Nerf-Tech, and vice chair of the IEEE Computer Science Society.
Where did you complete your internship(s) and what did you gain from the experience?
I had an internship under the National Science Foundation’s REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) program and did research at UCF. I worked in applied linear algebra and used techniques I learned in class to solve real problems. We were given a set of equations and asked to use linear algebra to solve them more efficiently. We ended up making it faster, and it was really cool to see how we can apply mathematics and use it in the real world.
What was your favorite course and why?
Ethical Hacking with Dr. Arijet Sarker. I loved it because we were assigned a final project around the fourth week of class that we had to finish by late April. We had to find a real system, get permission to hack into it, and hack into it. If you found a vulnerability – if you could actually hack into it – you got extra credit on your project. My group did gain access to a system and found a vulnerability.
How well do you feel Florida Poly prepared you for life after graduation?
Very prepared. One of the most important things I have picked up during my time at Florida Poly is strong soft skills. Through leading the Cybersecurity Club and presenting projects in classes and even to the club, I’ve developed confidence in communication and leadership. I feel very well prepared in my ability to succeed in interviews and confident in my technical knowledge. I believe I have a strong foundation in both mathematics and computer science that gives me an advantage.
What was your greatest accomplishment at Florida Poly?
That was competing in the NSA Codebreaker Challenge, a massive national competition for undergraduate and graduate students. They set up a controlled scenario with cybersecurity threats and forensic threats. You might discover issues like malware and figure out that it connects to some cryptocurrency laundering scheme. It shows you what it’s like to work for the real NSA. The competition was from September to January, and I was one of 81 student solvers nationwide. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in cybersecurity.
What advice do you have for an incoming student?
You are going to graduate with many other students in your major, and just having your degree won’t set you apart. Your GPA might be a little bit higher and help with your first job, but you need to find a way to stand out with employers. Get involved in extracurriculars and take on leadership positions. That will differentiate you and strengthen your resume.
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of Q&As featuring Florida Poly Class of 2026 graduates.
Contact:
Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
