Real-world internship helps IST student make a meaningful impact

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology senior Djante McLaughlin is bringing his knowledge and passion for cybersecurity to life through his leadership with the IST Student Government and his work with the Department of Homeland Security.  

After spending a year at Penn State Abington, McLaughlin knew he wanted to enroll in the College of IST when he arrived at University Park to follow a career path in cybersecurity. Once on campus, he enrolled in the college’s cybersecurity analytics and operations program and added a minor in security and risk analysis to strengthen his expertise in counterterrorism and risk mitigation.  

“Cybersecurity and cyberspace are continuously evolving landscapes,” McLaughlin said. “I find it imperative for STEM students like myself who have a love for technology to take a look into what’s going on behind the scenes.”  

As a second-year student, McLaughlin took advantage of the resources offered through the College of IST, which includes an internship requirement to graduate. McLaughlin wanted to apply his skills in his interest areas of public safety and security early in his academic career. With the growing importance of cybersecurity and with a desire to be a part of an organization that creates a positive change, he applied to an internship with the Department of Homeland Security and was accepted under the Transportation Security Administrator division.  

There, he worked alongside the TSA team to analyze airports across the country and develop strategies related to risk mitigation. He applied his classroom knowledge in artificial intelligence to determine the possible risks and threats facing airports, helping his team work through analytical data.

“When I was first appointed to TSA, I was honored with the selection as the process for that particular office is rather rigorous,” McLaughlin said. “Most of my colleagues were doctoral students and adults looking to make a transition in their careers.” 

When the six-month internship ended, McLaughlin knew he wanted to continue working with the Department of Homeland Security. After his success with the TSA department, his supervisor helped McLaughlin join the Department’s cyber defense division. In his new position, McLaughlin served as the liaison between the cyber division and the intelligence office, helping to develop the threat landscape and analyzing the best data to create policies relating to national defense.  

McLaughlin’s term with the Department of Homeland Security has since ended, but he is grateful for the opportunities he had to make an impact.  

“I know that a lot of my research actually gets implemented into real policies,” he said. “That’s the best part about it: knowing that you’re making a difference.”  

McLaughlin is also making a difference at Penn State as president of IST Student Government. After serving a term as treasurer, through which he managed the budget for all subcommittees, projects and events, he is now actively working to expand the organization and the impact it can make for the college. 

“Running for president gave me a platform to better improve the college and the people within IST,” he said. “We want to organize more events, bring exposure to student government and create a more diverse, multicultural community.”  

McLaughlin said that his goal is to make every student’s voice heard.  

“The biggest message I want to send to students is the more voices (there are), the stronger the idea,” he said. “I always want to bring something different to the table to see how we can advocate for all students in the community.”  

For McLaughlin, his success on and off campus has been possible thanks to the foundation he built at the College of IST.   

“The tools we use in the classroom are the same tools I use in my day-to-day life,” McLaughlin said. “The programs and data functions that we learn about in class are all ones I use in the real world.”  

Looking ahead, McLaughlin has already received several offers for full-time employment after he graduates in May. He hopes to one day return to the Department of Homeland Security’s cyber intelligence industry, but first plans to pursue a master’s degree in business administration at Penn State to further study cybersecurity and counterterrorism. 

“Penn State is at the top of the game when it comes to the curriculum,” said McLaughlin. “From what I’ve seen in the real world, IST students are in pretty safe hands as far as having a fundamental background within their fields.”