Cybersecurity Major Jeremy Wiedner Works for Emerson

2013 Jul 25

Cybersecurity major Jeremy Wiedner of Imperial, Mo., is interning as an information security co-op at Emerson in St. Louis this summer.

"I like that I get to work with a diverse group of people that are very knowledgeable in their field. I am able to learn a lot from them," Jeremy said.

Jeremy is Emerson's first cybersecurity intern. Emerson is a diversified global manufacturing and technology company.

Jeremy, who is a computer science minor, helps the computer incident response team, CIRT. At Emerson, he assists in developing automatic detection and response tools through situations so the company can use them. He also assists in developing and noting new solutions the company will use globally.

Jeremy says he enjoys working with cybersecurity in the corporate environment as a team member. He is able to learn about the service owner level, which provides CIRT members with the tools and services they need to fulfill their responsibilities.

Jeremy says his internship is allowing him to expand on what he has learned in Southeast's cybersecurity program. He is hoping his internship experience will improve his classwork as well as help him stand out as a job candidate. He says he is also learning the importance of having basic computer programing skills.

"The field [of cybersecurity] is always changing and evolving so it forces me to continue learning. It is also challenging and forces me to think of things in new ways," Jeremy said.

Jeremy plans to get a job in the cybersecurity field, and he is open to wherever that may lead him, he said.

He was recently featured as a guest on St. Louis Public Radio's "St. Louis on Air" program during which he discussed his pursuit of a cybersecurity degree. Joining him on the program were a representative from Washington University discussing their master's degree program in cybersecurity and a representative from Scott Air Force Base who discussed the Joint Cybersecurity Command, which is a part of USTRANSCOM.

Last fall, Jeremy founded the Cyber Defense Club at Southeast and is currently its president.

"The benefits of the club are that it allows me the opportunity to expand my own understanding of cybersecurity while helping others to understand it as well," Jeremy said. "I have also received the benefit of competing in the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition at both the state and regional level. I also get to network with some of the future leaders in the field of cybersecurity."

Jeremy also holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish.

When he is not studying, he likes to run and bike on the trails in Cape Girardeau. He enjoys other outdoor activities as well such as hiking, camping and fishing, as well as martial arts. In addition, he likes spinning poi.

"Think of the people you see spinning fire at luaus but without the fire most of the time," Jeremy said. "I find it fun and relaxing. It is even therapeutic at times, especially when they are lit on fire. It is also a great conversation starter because a lot of people find it fascinating."

Jeremy says he loves exploring new places. He has been to Ecuador several times.

"I love it because it is such a geographically diverse country and the people are really nice. It has been an adventure each time I have gone," Jeremy said.

When he's not exploring outside, Jeremy enjoys gaining knowledge in the classroom from his professors. He says they have increased his knowledge because they have been willing to help him when he has questions and challenge him to solve the problem on his own.

"The best advice I can give is to not expect others to do everything for you. Be willing to put in the effort on your own to go learn what you need to know," Jeremy said. "I meet many students that want to be shown how to do everything in a simplified step by step process. This is not how the real world works, and in order to succeed in it, you have to be willing to put in effort on your own. The motto at Emerson is this. 'It's never been done before. Consider it solved.' I think that if students take this mindset with them into their studies, then they will be well on their way to being successful in school and in their future careers."