CHATTANOOGA, TN -- When it comes to making a difference, what goes around comes around. Few know that better than Chattanooga State Community College alumnus Nicholas Jung, who is paying it forward to help ensure cybersecurity students find success both in college and after graduation. 

Jung came to ChattState when he was 33 years old in search of a new beginning, which he found in the college’s Computer Information Technology program. Focusing on cybersecurity and cyber defense, Jung took advantage of Tennessee Reconnect to complete his associate degree without the need for student loans. 

 Jung then continued his educational journey, completing his bachelor's degree in cybersecurity and information assurance at Western Governors University before launching into his second career as a Cybersecurity Analyst and Engineer at Erlanger Health System. 

After more than a year at Erlanger, Jung accepted an offer from Converge Technology Solutions, where he now works as a Cybersecurity Solutions Architect. 

When he isn’t busy consulting to help protect companies’ and individuals’ data, Jung takes time to give back as a mentor, donor, and member of ChattState’s Alumni Board. 

Jung’s passion for mentorship began while at ChattState, he said. As a nontraditional adult student, Jung was older than many of his classmates, whom he would often take under his wing. 

“There were a couple of younger students whom I tried to help mentor while I was in school,” he said. “I helped push them in the right direction. That gave me that passion to want to give back and try to help other people.” 

Motivated by this experience, Jung also joined forces with other cybersecurity professionals to provide mentorship, advice, resume editing, and more to current students and young professionals in the industry. Jung started a group on Discord called Crows Nest Information Security (CNIS), which now has about 400 members worldwide. 

 The group works with recent graduates to help them get started in the cybersecurity industry. It also offers industry insiders a sense of camaraderie through a network of professionals across various skill sets within the Cybersecurity space. Members sometimes compete in capture the flag competitions, providing them with a hands-on approach to learning new skills alongside veteran industry professionals. 

Jung’s impact at ChattState extends beyond mentoring students and young professionals. Jung also established a scholarship through the Chattanooga State Foundation for cybersecurity students to help ensure others have easy access to an affordable education and career opportunities like those offered to Jung. 

“Tennessee Reconnect helped me a lot, so I thought, ‘I'd like to give back some of the money I received to students who want to go to school for a similar career path,’” he said.  

Through his roles as a mentor, donor, and alumni board member at Chattanooga State, Nick Jung embodies the spirit of giving back. His efforts not only honor the support he once received but also pave the way for future cybersecurity professionals, highlighting the full circle of empowerment and generosity.