Chris Coe is now earning $26.59 hourly as a registered apprentice at COLT Cyber Security Consultants, LLC, & is applying his newly acquired skills in real-world cybersecurity roles & is:
• Completing 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning over 12-18 months
• Receiving ongoing instruction in Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for companies that seek DoD contracts
• Attending assessment meetings with real-world clients
• Revising document templates to be in compliance with requirements

In Christopher's own words...
‘Felt Like A Second Chance’
I was already in college, working toward an IT degree, when cybersecurity started to take over my thoughts. I knew that was where I wanted to be, but I wasn’t sure anyone in the field actually wanted people like me. When I discovered Aspiritech Academy’s cybersecurity program, it felt like a second chance I couldn’t afford to pass up, so I jumped at it. I basically came into the program with a shell in my mind—some theory from school, but not much confidence in how to apply it. At the Academy, I was able to follow clear, structured lessons that connected what I’d learned in college to real-world cybersecurity work. The instructors paid close attention to what was most important in entry-level roles. Ultimately, I didn’t just “get through” the Academy—I graduated with a direction and a plan. I walked out with more than new skills; I walked out knowing there is a place for me in cybersecurity and that my background in IT and my neurodivergent strengths are exactly what some employers are looking for.