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Abe Baggili, Ph.D., has, for several years, been eager for the University of New Haven to host a career fair focused on cybersecurity. His vision is about to become a reality – in a very innovative way. The Connecticut Regional Cybersecurity & Technology Virtual Career Expo, set for later this month, will bring together students from across the state and employers from around the world.

The event – a culmination of the University’s celebration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month – will bring together 17 schools in Connecticut and connecting students in the cybersecurity and technology industries with top employers. It is also open to students in fields such as computer science and computer engineering.

Dr. Baggili, founding director of the University's Connecticut Institute of Technology, says this will be a wonderful opportunity for students and employers alike. He has been collaborating closely with Matt Caporale, executive director of the University’s Career Development Center, to organize the event.

"We are excited to lead this event with our fellow schools and to put Connecticut on the map as a leading talent source for cybersecurity and technology talent."Abe Baggili, Ph.D.

“As the leading cybersecurity and technology hub in the state of Connecticut, the Connecticut Institute of Technology, working with the University’s Career Development Center, has yet again taken a leading role to catapult careers for students studying cybersecurity, computing, and technology,” said Dr. Baggili, who also serves as Elder Family Chair and executive director of the University’s Bergami Center for Cybersecurity. “To the best of our knowledge, this is the first cybersecurity-focused career fair in the state. We are embracing being the Connecticut Institute of Technology in every way as we are helping the entire state create a scalable cybersecurity recruitment pipeline.”

The career fair, which will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 28, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., will enable employers to interact with students who are training to be leaders in the field. Students can pre-schedule meetings with representatives, and representatives will also host a “virtual open booth,” enabling students to “drop in” and meet via video chat – much like a traditional career fair.

"Cybersecurity and technology are top talent needs across all industries,” he said. “Connecticut has the talent these organizations are seeking. We are excited to lead this event with our fellow schools and to put Connecticut on the map as a leading talent source for cybersecurity and technology talent."

Sponsored by , the event will enable students to interview with representatives from more than two dozen leading organizations, including several federal agencies, such as the , , and , and the . Many non-government agencies, including and , are also participating, and Caporale and Dr. Baggili expect many more will also take part.

Organizers hope to elevate the state as a leading place to recruit for positions in the technology field, especially in cybersecurity, one of the fastest growing industries with an estimated one million job openings worldwide. Protecting technology systems is especially crucial as work and education continue to take place online.

“I am proud that, in the midst of an international pandemic, the University of New Haven and its partners are still finding ways to offer employers engagement opportunities to tap top regional talent in fields such as cybersecurity, information technology, and computer science,” said Marcus Paca, assistant director of employer relations at the Career Development Center. “Our commitment to providing direct internship and employment prospects to our students underscores the University’s efforts to remain forward thinking while continuously focusing on preparing students for 21st century career opportunities.”