Rene Christian

Rene Christian

“The balance between nearby city life and the calm and quiet of Queens has allowed me to excel in my academics,” says Rene Christian ’09C. The computer security systems major in St. John’s College of Professional Studies, chose St. John’s because of its location and academic reputation: “As an international student coming from the Caribbean I was nervous about going to school in New York City. I was not sure that I would be able to adjust to the busy New York  lifestyle, but when I saw the campus and the serenity provided by all of the greenery and water fountains, I felt confident that St. John’s was the place for me.”

Community service is what Rene loves most about life at St. John’s University, “The strong emphasis on service combined with the many different opportunities available can leave an indelible mark on any student’s heart.” Through Campus Ministry Rene has had the chance to participate in at least one large service project a year: “In my opinion the service initiatives and Vincentian tradition provide students with a solid value system that can not be found in other universities. These values will keep you grounded and humble in the face of all the success you will achieve.”

After graduation, Rene plans on pursuing a career in the computer security field: “This summer I was able to attain a great internship that really challenged me. I gained new insight in my field as well as much needed hands-on experience. The depth of instruction in my classes along with my internships have taken my resume to the next level and substantially boosted my chances of securing employment in the very competitive field of computer security upon graduation.”

Rene’s advice to students is to, “Do something that you love. I know a lot of students who failed to follow their passion in order to pursue a job with a higher salary. If you are undecided, find out what you are passionate about and stick with it regardless of what anyone says.” He also believes that in order to become successful in the computer security field, you must challenge yourself to do extra readings and research and begin to look for internships right at the beginning of your college career. His final advice: “Never give up! School gets very tough, but if you persevere you will reap great rewards.”