Class of 2012: What now for Michael McAtee?

As the College of Technology’s Spring 2012 graduates complete their time at Purdue, we are profiling a few and finding out their future plans and how they arrived at this point in their lives. Commencement is May 12, 2012.

James “Michael” McAtee, Indianapolis, Ind.
IT Security Consultant for Crowe Horwath, Chicago, Ill.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology with a concentration in network engineering technology

Job duties

• Provide IT security consultation to organizations on regulation compliance and industry best practices
• Test security compliance through
  • External penetration testing
  • Internet penetration testing
  • Network Security Assessments of technology and policy

Purdue classes that helped Michael for his job

• CNIT 242 – Systems Administration
• CNIT 340 – UNIX Administration
• CNIT 455 – Network Security
• CNIT 456 – Wireless Network Security & Management
• CNIT 480 – Managing Information Technology Projects

CIT provided me with such a broad knowledge base that adding some security tools, techniques, and methodologies came easily. Security, especially, is entwined into each course and then the curriculum is capped with a Network Security and Wireless Network Security course to bring it all together. While specific knowledge on exploiting information systems is limited, understanding so much about how systems work together and how they work at a low level explains why exploits happen and where weak points in a system might be. This has prepared me very well for my new job and is likely a key reason why I was offered the job after an internship with them last summer.

Other ways the College of Technology and/or Purdue provided preparation and assistance

The many professional and student organizations in the College of Technology and Purdue helped me network and prepare to enter the professional world. Through the College of Technology Student Ambassadors and the Dean’s Undergraduate Advisory Council, I gained valuable leadership experience. AITP and CIT’s Industrial Advisory Board provided me with networking and career-finding opportunities. The AITP Computer Round Table is where I first heard about and met recruiters from the company I will be working for.

Thanks go to:

• I would not be who I am or where I am without my family and friends. I owe everything to them.
• Thank you to the excellent CIT faculty, who have prepared me so well for my job and the industry. Specifically, I want to thank Phil Rawles, Tony Smith and Ray Hansen for their teaching and instruction.
• Finally, I’m grateful to Angie Murphy, Linda Young, Stephanie Schmidt and Stacy Lane for all of their help throughout my four years here at Purdue.