Internships Advance Rohan Kumar’s ’25, ’26 Cybersecurity Career
Degrees: B.S. in Computer Science and Information Security (2025); M.S. in Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity (2026)
Mentor: Shweta Jain, Ph.D., Professor and Department Chair of Mathematics & Computer Science, and Graduate Director of the M.S. in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity program
Internships: Capital One, Cybersecurity Intern; NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, Cybersecurity Intern; ASRC Federal, Cybersecurity Analyst Intern; NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, Security Analyst College Aide; NYC Administration for Children’s Services, Cybersecurity Intern
Hometown: Queens, NY
Career Aspiration: Cybersecurity Professional
What was life like before John Jay?
I grew up in Queens, New York, surrounded by a supportive family and a good circle of friends. I’m the youngest in the family, and my two older sisters acted like they were bonus parents, making sure I was doing my homework and staying on track in school. Both of my sisters went to college and have careers in tech and medicine. They really inspired me to take my education seriously and to take advantage of opportunities, like internships, as they became available.
What sparked your passion for computer science and cybersecurity?
I attended Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School, a vocational school in Queens, where I was part of the cybersecurity program. I had a teacher who was extremely passionate about technology, which sparked an interest in me. He made learning about cybersecurity fun. I always thought technology and computers were cool, so it felt like a good fit for me. The way I see it, we’re interacting with technology every day and giving away our data in ways we can’t even imagine, so it makes sense to want to understand the field better. Today, as a student and cybersecurity intern, I’m learning how to keep networks, cities, industries, and people safe, and building bots that help automate life for my friends and me.
Why John Jay?
I knew the College offered one of the best cybersecurity programs in the city, but what I really liked most about John Jay’s Computer Science and Information Security major was that it had a good mix of computer science principles and cybersecurity fundamentals, which not many colleges offer. I wanted to learn as much as I could about the field.
What drew you to the Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity master’s degree program?
As I was wrapping up my undergraduate experience, I learned that there was a brand-new program, the Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity (D4CS) Program, that would enable computer science majors to earn both a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree in cybersecurity in just five years. I met with Professor Jain, reviewed the requirements and courses offered, and knew I had to apply. The classes all sounded cool and made me excited to attend. It really was a no-brainer for me.
What classes in the master’s program have stood out to you?
All the classes I’m taking are great and so valuable for working in the cybersecurity field, from network forensics to cyber threat intelligence. Digital forensics is a subject that is entirely new to me, and at John Jay, we’re learning it through a law enforcement lens. Through this perspective, you understand the practical application of digital forensics. You’re able to see all the different ways it can be used to solve cases, protect the public, and be an invaluable source of information. I enjoy the class because it’s very hands-on and I’m learning from an expert in the field, an NYPD police detective.
How did your Capital One cybersecurity internship enrich your education?
It was an incredible 10-week experience. Capital One moved me down to McLean, Virginia, for the summer and provided me with an apartment. What was cool was that I lived in the same building as other interns, so it was great for building community among our cohort.
Project-wise, I was getting to do work I’ve never done before, such as using SQL programming. I had to use a SQL query to find a problem—in this case, it was identifying and tracking hacking groups in real time. I worked with a lot of different databases to see where the problem was. Once I identified the problem, I had to present it to the leadership team. I also helped design a dashboard to monitor data quality issues that would enhance security and operating efficiency. It was such a great learning opportunity.
How did your NYC government internships help advance your career goals?
What I loved most about my internships with the different city agencies—NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, the Department of Youth and Community Development, and the Administration for Children’s Services—was how they offered a resource or service to the people of New York. I loved knowing I had a hand in keeping the systems New Yorkers rely on secure and up and running.
New York City government as a whole is wide-reaching, and because of that, there are a lot of avenues for attack, which makes the systems they use vulnerable. I was fortunate to work with several talented IT and cybersecurity teams that were exceptional at the work they were doing. As an intern, I had the chance to lead awareness training programs, investigate threats, reduce the number of security breaches, and collaborate with senior cybersecurity analysts to streamline the investigation process.
I found incredible mentors at all these agencies. If I had a class project or presentation to prepare for, they would gather team members into a room and have me present my ideas. Afterward, they’d offer me feedback on my project. Being a student intern in these public agencies, sharing with professionals, learning from them, and being genuinely recognized as a professional was incredibly affirming.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’d love to work in a space that blends cybersecurity principles with what’s going on in the world geopolitically. I see myself working as a cybersecurity professional, specifically in cyber threat intelligence, at a private company, and then, later in my career, making my way back to city service.
