From the Classroom to Internships: A St. John’s Senior Finds His Lane in Cybersecurity

When Fírebamí Babalola arrived at St. John’s University from Prince George’s County, MD, he sought more than just a degree. He was searching for opportunity—the kind that could take a classroom education and turn it into a thriving career.

“What really pulled me in was the strength of the Cyber Security Systems degree program and the fact that it sits right in New York,” he explained. “The program is hands-on, and I knew it could set me up for real opportunities like internships and networking. Being in Queens means you’re a train ride away from some of the world’s biggest companies and cybersecurity teams in the world, so I saw it as the perfect place to build knowledge and connections.”

For Fírebamí, that blend became the foundation of his college journey. Now, as he completes his senior year at the University with multiple internships under his belt, he has a deeper understanding of what it means to build a career in cybersecurity.

Fírebamí credits his father with urging him to apply to St. John’s. “He pushed me to look at what New York could offer in terms of opportunities,” he recalled. “Being in Queens puts you right next to New York City opportunities, and that’s huge for someone in cybersecurity. You’re not just learning in class—you’re networking, interning, and building your career in the middle of one of the world’s busiest tech and business hubs .”

Once on campus, he found belonging in student organizations, such as the African Students Association, and professional growth through the Association for Computing Machinery  chapter. “Both were about connection for me,” he said. “One rooted me in my culture, and the other sharpened me in my field. Both gave me networks and a community that made my St. John’s experience real.”

Even his campus jobs became stepping-stones. Working at the Office of Information Technology (IT) Service Center, he gained the kind of troubleshooting and communication skills that don’t always come from textbooks. “It’s the mix,” he said. “Class knowledge, real-world internships, and campus jobs like working at the IT Center—all of it built me into someone who can handle the technical and people sides of cybersecurity.”

Behind those opportunities were faculty who believed in him. “Professors push you; they give you space to find your lane, and that’s inspiring in itself.”

One of those mentors, Erald Troja, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Science, The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies, became a key connector, linking Fírebamí with his internship at the New Jersey Courts. “Dr. Troja really opened doors for me,” he explained. “That’s the kind of support you get here. It’s not just teaching—they’re looking out for where you can go next.”

Fírebamí’s journey through internships shows the power of hands-on learning. Each role gave him a different perspective on the field. For example, he learned about security engineering, scaling, and protecting systems during his remote internship at New Relic. At New Jersey Courts, he worked on Linux hardening and compliance testing.

“That was my first time really seeing how compliance drives security decisions in real organizations,” he said.

While interning at Verizon, he explored security engineering and automation, an experience that bridged concepts he learned in the classroom with practical applications. “That’s where I learned how to take classroom concepts and turn them into tools a team could actually use,” he said.

As a member of the Cyber Policy Leadership Institute, he explored how cybersecurity connects to government and organizational policy. “It was eye-opening because it showed me this field isn’t just about fixing systems—it’s about influencing how organizations and people make decisions around security.”

Together, these experiences gave him a broad view of cybersecurity. “Each internship provided me with a different lane. Together, they taught me that cybersecurity is wide open, and the skills I’ve built at St. John’s translate no matter where I go.”

Fírebamí quickly points out that none of this happened in isolation—the classroom was where the foundation was laid. “Classes such as Intro to Digital Forensics, Secure Software Development, and Data Structures and Algorithms gave me a foundation to stand upon,” he explained. “The classes laid the groundwork, but the internships made me realize those skills were real and transferable. That’s where it all came together for me.”

As he approaches graduation, Fírebamí still weighs his future options. “Career-wise, I’m keeping the door wide open—cybersecurity is so broad, and I know New York puts me in the middle of endless opportunities,” he said. “I want to keep learning and stay ready to step into the right lane.”

As a result of his desirable blend of classroom and real-world experience, Fírebamí now has a clearer vision. “I realize that cybersecurity isn’t just my major—it’s the field I want to grow in,” he said. “The internships opened my eyes to how many different directions I can go, whether that’s security engineering, blue-team work, policy, or something new I haven’t even touched yet.”

With that sense of clarity, Fírebamí is already looking ahead—thinking not only about the roles he might take on, but also about the kind of impact he wants to leave behind. “More than anything, I want to use what I’ve built here to make an impact—protecting people, creating new pathways, and making sure others from where I’m from see that it’s possible, too,” he said. “St. John’s gave me the foundation, opportunities, and support. Now, I feel like I can walk into any room and know I belong.”