Meet Brad Robbins, a soon-to-be graduate of Southern Nazarene University’s online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity program. Robbins’ path to cybersecurity has been anything but traditional. Regardless, he has allowed his determination, adaptability, and strong sense of purpose to guide him in pursuing this significant achievement.
Robbins’ career began immediately after high school when he started working in sales. Over the years, he gained extensive experience in various sales roles, including retail, door-to-door, financial product sales, and business-to-business transactions. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to start his own business, which he successfully ran for a decade before transitioning to a Fortune 500 company. There, he tackled complex problem-solving tasks in the aviation sector.
With an associate’s degree from Oklahoma Wesleyan University in hand and firmly established in his career, it was many years before Robbins considered returning to school for another degree. A critical incident became his inspiration. When his business’s website suffered a security breach, he realized just how vulnerable businesses can be to cyber threats. That eye-opening experience planted the seed of curiosity, leading him to explore cybersecurity as a potential career path.
“I wanted to learn new skills,” Robbins says. “And I wanted to be the first in my immediate family to graduate college.”
The decision to return to school was not an easy one. Robbins was already balancing a full-time job, family responsibilities, and personal commitments. However, he knew that earning a bachelor’s degree would provide new opportunities, both in his current workplace and beyond. More importantly, he wanted to set an example for his young daughter. His hard work would show her the value of education and perseverance.
Robbins chose Southern Nazarene University because of its Cybersecurity Program and commitment to Christian values. While he knew the journey would be challenging, he was motivated by the idea of growing academically and spiritually.
“The workload was heavy,” Robbins admits. “When you're learning something unfamiliar and doing classes online, things take longer to accomplish than they would in a traditional classroom setting. But the instructors were always available to help when I needed it.”
Juggling work, school, and family life was no small feat. Robbins had little time for anything else with a stressful job, a toddler at home, and a full course load. Despite these challenges, he remained dedicated to his studies, consistently earning a spot on the Dean’s List each semester.
Reflecting on his experience, Robbins is incredibly proud of his accomplishments. He acknowledges the difficulties but can also recognize the personal growth that came with the journey.
“I had to push through a lot of tough moments,” he says. “But now that everything is finally behind me, I’ll be very proud of what I was able to accomplish and how I persevered through the storms.”
As graduation approaches, Robbins is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. His cybersecurity degree has equipped him with valuable skills that will allow him to transition into a new career path. While he remains grateful for his current job, he is eager to explore roles that enable him to apply his knowledge in meaningful ways.
“Having this degree will open doors for me that wouldn’t have been available otherwise,” Robbins explains. “I can now try to use my skills to pivot to something that offers an exciting career path.”
Robbins’ story is one of resilience, determination, and growth. It is proof that it is never too late to pursue higher education and that hard work pays off. His journey serves as an inspiration to working adults who may be hesitant to return to school, showing that success is within reach with dedication and support.
Please join us in celebrating Brad Robbins as he reaches this incredible milestone. We look forward to seeing all that he will accomplish in the field of cybersecurity.
