UNCP cybersecurity student lands security engineer position with Microsoft

PEMBROKE – From his home in Nigeria, Chidubem “Sacony” Chukwu searched online for universities offering a standalone degree in cybersecurity. His search led him to UNC Pembroke.

Two years later, the senior is preparing to graduate and begin his career as a security engineer with Microsoft.

The job offer followed a standout summer internship in which Chukwu put his skills to the test alongside some of the nation’s brightest college students. He and four fellow interns captured first place in Microsoft’s Strike Intern Capture the Flag competition, identifying vulnerabilities and exploiting weaknesses in simulated technology environments.

For Chukwu, the experience offered proof that what he had been learning at UNCP could translate directly to one of the world’s largest technology companies.

“Going from UNCP to Microsoft, you realize that the things you’re learning in class are not just things you’re learning for a grade,” Chukwu said. “You’re learning things…