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The Student Becomes the Teacher
Richmond/Innsbrook Campus Alumnus Returns to Share His Experience
B
efore Frank Pitera enrolled at ECPI
University, he already had a lifetime
of experience. Having worked 25 years
as an information project manager for a
number of Wall Street banks, he was con-
fident and comfortable doing what he had
always done…maybe too comfortable. “I
was becoming increasingly interested in
the security side of information systems
and wanted to get outside of my comfort
zone and try something else,” says Frank,
who already had two college degrees, but
needed to expand his expertise.
So, Frank moved to Richmond, Virginia,
enrolled at ECPI University, and soon
earned his Bachelor of Science degree
in Computer Information Systems with a
concentration in Network Security. “I en-
joyed every moment I spent at ECPI,” he
says. “Even while I was attending classes,
I knew I wanted to come back and share
my experiences at some point.” Since
graduating in 2011, he has earned a Mas-
ter’s of Science in Information Systems
Security and has spent the past three
years working for the Virginia Department
of Accounts.
In his capacity as an information security
officer, Frank works to protect all of the
sensitive information associated with the
Commonwealth’s financial transactions,
including payroll for more than 200,000
state employees. “Adjunct faculty mem-
bers like Frank play an essential role in
delivering real-world knowledge to our
students,” says ECPI University Inns-
brook Campus President Jacob Pope.
“He is current with all the newest threats
to information
security be-
cause he sees
them every day.
He then comes
to campus and
shares network
security scenar-
ios that he may
have just faced
hours earlier.”
Frank truly en-
joys having a foot in both worlds, profes-
sional and academic. “I love what I do,”
he says. “I have a passion for it. When you
feel that way, you can’t help but want to
share it with others.”
T
hey came with robots, 3D
printers, and advanced
machinery of all types. Manu-
facturers from across Coastal
Virginia arrived at ECPI
University ready to change
some minds. It was all part
of a nationwide event called
Manufacturing Day Expo
, held
on October 3. Sponsored by
a coalition of professional
associations and leading
manufacturers, it was one of
many such events held simul-
taneously at cities around the nation, all
with one purpose in mind: to dispel the
outdated myths associated with manu-
facturing careers.
“It’s nothing like it used to be,” says
ECPI University Virginia Beach Campus
President Kevin Paveglio. “People who
work in manufacturing operate in a more
automated and rewarding environment.
They use technical skills to trouble
shoot, set-up and program components
like robots, automated systems and
computers…and they experience very
competitive compensation and benefits.”
What’s more, according to a recent
study by Deloitte Touche, there are an
estimated 600,000 technical jobs waiting
to be filled throughout the nation…and
that number is growing.
Yet, this message has failed to reach a
large sector of American job seekers.
“Young people continue to believe in the
old paradigm,” says Paveglio who spent
27 years in the advanced manufacturing
sector. “They still think it’s a dead-end
career that is labor-intensive,
dark and dingy, and with no
career path. If they see and
understand what modern
manufacturing really looks
like today, it will no doubt
cause them to take a second
look at these significant
career opportunities.”
Approximately 250 area
high school students spent
several hours going from
booth to booth, interacting
with machinery, attending
workshops, and learning about such
things as computer numerical controls,
solid 3D modeling, pneumatic controls,
and data communications. “This is a
great career for people who like working
with their hands using mechanical,
electrical, and computer-driven
systems,” says Paveglio. “I think many of
the young people who attended walked
away absolutely amazed by a career
they never knew existed.”
EXPO Reveals the “Truth” About Manufacturing Jobs
More than 20 Manufacturers Give Hundreds of Young People
a Look at Today’s Advanced Manufacturing Industry Careers