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Dual Enrollment Student Looks Forward to Achieving 4-Year Cybersecurity Degree

October 20, 2023

Antonio

Antonio Velasco, a first-generation Mexican American student at San Diego City College is on his way to a successful career in cybersecurity.  

Although this fall marks Velasco’s first semester on the City College campus, he earned a head start on college credits as a dual enrollment student from San Diego High School. 

“Taking college classes while in high school was fine. I took classes during the summer break to get ahead and stay busy”, said Velasco, 18, who became a dual enrollment student as a high school freshman thanks to Upward Bound. 

Velasco graduated from San Diego High School this summer. “My family is very happy about it,” he said about achieving his diploma and a degree simultaneously.  

At City College, Velasco, has his eye on joining the new 4-Year Degree in Cyber Defense and Analysis program. In January 2023, City College secured approval to offer the first bachelor’s degree in the college’s 109-year history. 

“I took an interest in cybersecurity during my sophomore year of high school when I took a coding class,” Velasco said. “I really enjoyed it, it was like a puzzle, putting pieces together and getting to be creative.” 

This semester at City College, Velasco is enrolled in English 101, History of Graphic Design, and next month, he will begin Intro to Python, an introduction to python language, computational thinking, and algorithms.  

Velasco’s long-term goal is to work as a cybersecurity analyst. “There is a lot of opportunity to grow in this field and every job needs IT support.” 

He advises other high school students who want to try dual enrollment, “the experience can be difficult at first, but if you get help and have time management skills, you will do well.” 

The Cyber Defense and Analysis Baccalaureate Program will launch fall of 2024. Interested in applying for the Fall 2024 cohort? Complete your application here, https://sdcity.cc/cyberfall2024. Interesting applying for the Fall 2025 cohort? Complete your interest form here, https://sdcity.cc/3KAGeJa. For more information about the program, visit www.sdcity.edu/cyberdefense.