Grady Alexander working at his desk.

Pontotoc Technology Center Alum, Grady Alexander, just completed a 10-year journey to receive his Master's of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. He now works for a Department of Defense contractor as a Cybersecurity Engineer.

When Grady was a teenager, he walked through the doors of Pontotoc Technology Center without realizing how life-changing the decision would be. He had completed his work towards high school graduation at home and was looking for an option to satisfy the state’s requirements for graduation. “Truth be told, when I started at PTC, I did not want to be in computers,” he says.  In fact, there wasn’t a lot at the Tech Center that interested him, but he thought he’d give the Information Technology program a try. He recalls, “…once I got into it, I was like, ‘wow, this is really cool.’ I discovered I was good at it.”  It was an instructor, Roberta Howard, who truly opened his eyes to the possibilities of a career in technology. Ms. Howard didn’t just teach him the basics—she ignited a spark in Grady that would drive him for years to come.

Grady learned everything he could at the tech center. From customer service to understanding the inner workings of networks, he absorbed it all like a sponge. But more than just technical skills, the tech center gave him certifications, confidence, and a clear path forward. His early experiences at Pontotoc Technology Center laid the groundwork for what was to come.

After graduation, Grady knew he wanted to go even further. He enrolled in a computer science degree program. While it wasn’t always easy balancing school, work, and life, he knew the value of hard work, and with his faith in God guiding his decisions, he embraced the ups and downs as he built his career.

A key lesson Grady learned along the way was the immense value of mentorship, both in receiving it and in offering it to others. There were times when the feedback was tough, but those moments of honesty were exactly what he needed to grow. He recalled his experience working for a local manufacturing company, “The IT regional manager sat me down and told me I was doing a great job. It was a great conversation, but then he asked me, ‘when are you going to move on?’” Grady was happy in his job and said he was a little confused by the conversation. The manager continued, “You’re going to outgrow your job very soon and I’m not going to have a spot for you. I would start looking now.”  Shocked by the honesty and genuine care of the manager, Grady recalls, “I have never had someone tell me to find something better.” This was especially meaningful as he knew he was doing well and consistently received great feedback and reviews from his managers.

Now, as Grady advances in his own career, he makes it a point to mentor younger professionals, following that same approach. He encourages and supports them, but he’s also not afraid to give the kind of feedback that will help them grow and thrive in the long run. “Great mentorship is sometimes a balance of encouragement and level-setting expectations based on a person’s current level of education and capabilities,” he says. Grady knows as well as anyone that a successful career is built over time, and usually with the support of others.

Grady Alexander working at his laptop.

In the last year, he landed a role as a cybersecurity engineer with a Department of Defense contractor called CACI International. His successes are clearly the culmination of years of dedication, pursuing his education, and perseverance (sometimes in the face of great challenges). Getting to this point has taken more than just technical know-how—it has taken grit, determination, and the willingness to keep pushing beyond comfort zones.

Looking back, Grady credits his experience at Pontotoc Technology Center, and his instructor, in providing a strong foundation for his success. He also recognizes that his journey is a testament to what can happen when you combine a good dose of faith, passion, and hard work.  

We know this is only the beginning for him, and all of us at PTC couldn’t be more excited about his success. Congratulations, Grady!