A few months before graduation in 2012, Matthew Howard made a list that most almost-graduates make. The “dream company” list had a handful of names on it, companies like Apple and Boeing topping the list.

Matthew studied Information Technology in the School of Information, a booming field expected to continually grow over the next decade. He grew up working on computers, but courses like Web Development with Ken Baldauf peaked his interest in IT.

“I thought it was really cool that I could type out some HTML and CSS, and create a website as my end product,” he shared.

When graduation loomed, Matthew started applying for jobs on his dream companies list.

“I applied for a competitive position that I thought was a long shot,” he said.

His efforts paid off in a roundabout way. He was directed towards Boeing’s IT Career Foundation Program.  He applied, flew out to Seattle for an interview and the rest was history. Matthew worked in the IT Systems Engineering rotation and hit the ground running.

Boeing Company designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets and satellites. The company is dual-rolled between Defense and Commercial airlines, a mix that Matthew says makes for an interesting work day.

“It was a great place to start my IT career,” he said. “I learned a lot about working with aerospace engineers and the IT team.”

Matthew has risen through the ranks at Boeing, working as a Functional Analyst, Network Architect, and today as a Cyber Security Analyst. A part of the Cyber Defense Information Security team, Matthew works with firewall administration, high-availability networks and enclaves, administration of virtual machines and working with Boeing’s customers and suppliers.

Matthew says the education he received at Florida State served as the catalyst for getting interested in IT and eventually into a career.

“I felt very prepared for a career in IT upon graduation,which is why I felt fortunate enough to have secured a position with one of my top choices,” he said. “Florida State really provided a great foundation for me to launch my career and I couldn’t be happier with how it all fell into place.”

During his undergraduate career, Matthew was involved in AITP. Find out more about the School of Information’s undergraduate programs here.