My Co-op Gig: Marcus Fredericks

From January through June, computer science student Marcus Fredericks worked as a junior security analyst in a cooperative (co-op) education program with 1-800-flowers.com. His goal to experience and learn as much as possible was achieved when the company offered him a summer position after the co-op period ended, as well as a part-time job as he completes his final semester.

Through the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences, students can participate in co-ops, alternating a period of academic study with full-time employment that relates to their degree. For Fredericks, this provided an opportunity to study cybersecurity in an up-close, hands-on manner.

“To work full-time in between my degree studies—as well as within the field I aspire to have a career—was incredibly valuable,” Fredericks says. “I was able to further develop my skills and knowledge of how the business functions, and how to acclimate to my new role.”

Fredericks’ responsibilities included enterprise security monitoring, security alert review, security incident response, analysis and remediation, assisting security engineers with tasks, and other security-related projects. Outside of this daily monitoring and analysis, he responded to information security team tickets and requests and attended weekly and monthly meetings with teams in his department to review goals, tasks, and priority work items.

The co-op provided Fredericks with his first experience in office life. Because he was placed in his area of interest, he learned how a business’ information technology side works and observed how communication between teams is vital to a successful operation. “And, of course,” he reflects, “I was introduced to a plethora of technologies, skills, and knowledge that I will carry with me throughout my career.”

Fredericks always had an interest in computer science, but it wasn’t until summer 2024 that he explored cybersecurity. His time with 1-800-flowers.com, interacting with professionals and being deeply involved in cybersecurity matters, reaffirmed his interest in and passion for the subfield.

Going to work each day, intending to challenge himself, take on unfamiliar projects, and push himself to do and absorb as much as he could, paid off when the company offered him a full-time job for the summer. As he completes his last semester before graduation, Fredericks has shifted to part-time work. He is still working as a junior security analyst with the same responsibilities as his co-op.

“I am fortunate to have had multiple knowledgeable colleagues who helped me understand things throughout my co-op,” he says. “I believe my can-do mindset set me apart, and I continue carrying that line of thinking in my current employment.”