UF Engineering initiative eases pipeline to National Defense careers

When Engineering graduates attain jobs with the government, defense contractors, or any company that requires authorizations to work, they usually do not hit the ground running on Day 1. Or Day 2. Or Month 12.

The authorization process for new employees can take up to a year, which causes considerable problems for employers eager to integrate newly acquired talent and for graduates eager to put their degrees to work.

But a new University of Florida program piloted by the Florida Institute for National Security (FINS) is eliminating these background delays for participating undergraduates of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. Now in its second semester, the FINS Talent Pipeline (FTP) not only pre-screens students for National Defense jobs but also provides mentors and connects students to prospective employers early in their undergraduate studies, leading to internships.

The goal: By the time they graduate, undergraduate students will have jobs they can start immediately.

“The problem is when you have graduates coming out of college and getting jobs with, say, the federal government or defense contractors in positions that require authorization. But the process takes a significant amount of time,” said UF Professor Damon Woodard, Ph.D., director of the Florida Institute for National Security and FTP lead.

“Background screening can take upwards of a year,” he added. “They can’t start working until that process is completed, causing productivity issues. In some cases, the employer might lose the new employee because they are waiting and waiting. Graduates will say, ‘Well, maybe I can just go get another job.’”

FTP is funded by a strategic grant from the UF president’s office and is designed to increase UF’s profile in national security.

The program is anchored by sessions that focus on navigating the employment landscape, zeroing in on specific employer needs, and working closely with companies – including local – who rely on top-quality UF Engineering graduates, particularly Lockheed Martin, Leidos, and L3 Harris Technologies.

“First and foremost, the FINS FTP program addresses talent shortages in areas of national need, specifically artificial intelligence and security,” noted UF Professor Domenic Forte, Ph.D., associate director of FINS and a key player in the FTP initiative.

There are more than 457,000 cybersecurity job openings in the United States, according to cyberseek.org. The growing need for increased cybersecurity protection is driving much of the demand for qualified Engineering graduates.The global cybersecurity workforce grew by 12.6% between 2022 and 2023, but a significant talent shortage remains. The cybersecurity industry needs 4 million workers worldwide, according to the World Economic Forum.

“Delays in filling critical roles or hiring unsuitable candidates can be costly for companies, particularly when authorized personnel are essential. The FINS Talent Pipeline program reduces the financial burden of long authorization processing times or employee turnover, leading to cost savings for public and private sector organizations,” added Forte.

“The program involves partnerships between industry and UF, helping to align educational curricula with the specific needs of the security industry.”

In the FTP sessions, students are trained on UF’s supercomputer, HiPerGator, and delve into undergraduate research, specifically AI and its relationship with national security.

“We are very focused on artificial intelligence for national security, which makes these students very attractive to various employers,” Woodard said.

FTP students are trained in technical writing, oral communication, and pitching ideas.

“This is as important as their technical ability,” Woodard said. “I tell the students you may be in an elevator with a CEO one day, and you have two minutes to tell them what you are working on.”

Another critical element is early networking with potential employers. Last semester – the program’s inaugural semester – two students had internships before the semester ended. “They want access to those students,” Woodard said of employers.

There are 15 students in the program this semester, and Woodard hopes to double that as the program evolves. Plus, Woodard noted, companies have been inquiring about instituting an FTP program at the graduate-school level.

For now, FTP accepts applications from domestic students from all engineering majors in their second or third year.

“Throughout the program, I have had the opportunity to meet so many incredible faculty and professionals who possess extensive experience working in government, industry, and entrepreneurship,” said FTP student Paige Anderson, a senior computer science major from Ohio who plans to go to graduate school.

“Through these interactions, I’ve discovered several paths that align with my interests and career goals,” she added. “The mentorship opportunities within the program have fostered my growth as a researcher and innovator, allowing me to learn of possibilities I previously did not know existed while igniting a passion for research I did not know I had.”

With a background in national security, Woodard contends the initiative will continue to make UF graduates more attractive to companies with big stakes and high salaries.

“I guess this is a little bit of an obsession for me,” he said. “Working with these organizations over the years, I have a pretty good idea of what’s needed, and we need as many people as possible. National security affects everyone, so I think this is a golden opportunity for UF.”