A group of 11 Anderson University Cybersecurity students participated in Career Discovery Week (CDW) in Washington, D.C., where they engaged with two global technology companies—Cisco and World Wide Technology—gaining exposure to industry leaders, career opportunities and real-world business challenges. It was an opportunity to tour the companies, network with executive leaders, and compete in individual and team challenges showcasing leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.
Participating in CDW from Anderson were Aaron Wilson, Andrew Dowlen, Brycen Morrison, Clark Hubbard, Ethan Green, Graham Edwards, Jadyn Koenes, Joshua Cordeiro, Joshua Stephens, Lawson Bryant and Nathan Dorrity.
Student Winners
Several students earned awards and accolades for their outstanding performance, demonstrating the preparation and professionalism that’s part of Anderson University’s pillar of Great Academics.
Jadyn Koenes received the Best Overall Leader Award, in recognition of her leading by example and consistently guiding and elevating the team.
Brycen Morrison was a finalist in the Cisco Executive Proposition Pitch (Top 8 of 39).
Graham Edwards received Best Networker Award for building meaningful connections with company leaders and peers. He was also a WWT Product-to-Personal Problem Pitch finalist (Top 8 of 39), team winner for WWT and Cisco and winner of the Cisco Product-to-Personal Pitch.
Joshua Stephens was named a finalist (Top 8 of 39) for the WWT Executive Value Proposition Pitch. He was also a finalist (Top 8 of 39) for the Cisco Product to Personal Pitch.
Joshua Cordeiro was team winner (WWT and Cisco) and a finalist (Top 8 of 39) for the Cisco Product-to-Personal Pitch.
Ethan Green was team winner for the Real-World Use Case Challenge (WWT and Cisco).
Andrew Dowlen (pictured below with Scholar-AthELITE CEO and Founder Rashard Hall) received the Resilient Leader Award for demonstrating resilience and leadership when facing challenges.
Pursuing Professional Growth
Working closely with Scholar-AthELITE CEO and Founder Rashard Hall and his team, the students found CDW to be a valuable growth opportunity.
“The scholar-athletes and cybersecurity students from Anderson University set the tone for the entire trip. Once Cisco and World Wide Technology made it clear they wanted the best, that’s exactly what these students delivered,” Hall said, adding that, less than a month after the trip, there are already several cybersecurity students who have interviewed for and secured career opportunities with global companies.
“That speaks volumes about the preparation, execution, and standard being set,” Hall continued. “Jadyn Koenes was one of the strongest leaders I’ve seen on a trip like this. Graham Edwards and Joshua Stephens were true triple threats—blending technical expertise, strong communication, and high-level networking ability. The entire group was ELITE.
What Dr. Kenneth Knapp, Karry Elson and Brandon Grech are doing in the cybersecurity classrooms, combined with what Anderson Athletics is building through the intentional integration of the Trojan Playbook, is setting them apart—creating a culture where scholar-athletes are not only prepared to compete, but to lead and succeed beyond the game.”
Student Reflections
“Career Discovery Week granted me an opportunity to find my role in the executive space of the corporate world while finding my soul in the hearts of my colleagues,” said Edwards. “Rashard not only poured into me professionally in encouraging my growth in communication and networking, he poured into me both personally and spiritually, reshaping my personal confidence and self-image.”
“This experience helped transform my self-esteem,” said Koenes, who is pursuing an internship with WWT this summer. “Career Discovery Week changed the way I think about being part of a team. Organizations like Scholar-AthELITE create huge career opportunities for college students. Coach Britt saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself and helped me step into my talents confidently.”
“Career Discovery Week gave me insight into how the big tech businesses of the world function, and I learned and saw a lot of things that either I didn’t expect, or didn’t even think about,” said Stephens. “I’m thrilled that Anderson University partnered with Scholar-AthELITE to make this trip happen. It exceeded my expectations, and ultimately will serve as a milestone in both my education and career goal journey.”
Stephens couldn’t have been more enthusiastic about Career Discovery Week.
“Go. You will learn, you will have fun, and you’ll have a safe space to step out of your comfort zone,” he said.
Networking
Connecting with Cisco and World Wide Technology was a great way of gaining exposure to industry leaders, career opportunities and real-world business challenges, according to Brandon Grech of the AU Center for Cybersecurity.
“It was incredible to see these students arrive with passion and support for their future careers and their AthELITE cohoort,” said Cisco Federal Marketing Manager Kelly Broadhurst. “They truly did their research and came with a strong sense of purpose.”
“The experience was transformational for both employees and students, and the connections I built with the students are something I deeply value,” said World Wide Technology Global HR – Talent Acquisition University Recruiter Dora Moreira. “The level of professionalism, thoughtful company research, personal pitches, insightful questions, and genuine gratitude moved me deeply.”