At the age of 18, Devin Filak knew two things: he wanted a career in cyber security and he needed to get there without taking on student debt.

Today, at age 21, he has achieved both.

Filak will earn an associate of applied science in cyber and information security from Lorain County Community College in May. And he’s already begun his career in the field, thanks to LCCC’s earn and learn program.

The earn and learn program allows students in select programs the opportunity to gain work experience with local employers while earning a livable wage. During the second year of his academic program, Filak began a paid internship with Fortress SRM, a division of MCPc. After a few months, the position turned into a full-time job.

“My professor sent me information about an opportunity with MCPc for a paid internship,” Filak recalled. “The more I learned about it, the more I saw this is really something I wanted to do and it turns out that it’s something I’m really good at.”

Filak excelled in internship and after a few months, he was offered a full-time position.

The job is a dream come true for Filak, who has been interested in cyber security since he attended a seminar in high school that discussed cyber and information security as a field with a lot of job potential. He researched reputable college programs and found LCCC. He liked the idea of earning a degree in two years and the low cost of tuition, compared to a four-year university.

“I was in no place to take out loans. I found LCCC and it was a no-brainer for me. I’m getting the same education for a fraction of the time and cost,” Filak said.

As he prepares to graduate, he is confident he is right where he’s meant to be with his job at MCPc.

“I enjoy the personal challenge of facing something new each day. And, at the end of the day, I’m helping people. My work helps people be able to sleep at night, knowing their business is safe,” Filak said.