Graduate Profile: It's Never Too Late to Get Your Degree

Fabian Cambron started his bachelor's degree in information technology in 1994, while juggling a full-time job as well as a family. Governors State University catetered to the needs of Cambron, who received his Bachelor of Science in Information Technology in 2015––over a decade later. 

Working as a Security Analyst for Edward-Elmhurst Hospital, Cambron returned to GSU in 2018 and is now graduating with a Master of Science in Management Information Systems.  

GSU Newsroom: What brought you to GSU?

Cambron: When I was finishing my associate degree at Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC), I began looking for an undergraduate program. I wanted a school that offered my program and had a schedule that would allow me to continue working full time. GSU came up frequently in my research due to their partnership with MVCC’s IT program and it clearly became the best option. I finished my bachelor’s at GSU in 2015.

In 2018, I decided to earn my master’s degree and, once again, GSU was the clear choice. The value of the education is undeniable and Governors State makes it easy to have a career while attending classes.

GSU Newsroom: What are some of the highlights from your time at GSU?

Cambron: One of my favorite GSU experiences was my undergrad capstone course. In this class, I revised the curriculum for the old PFSense, a firewall computer software, class. This was a fun project in that I got to apply my knowledge of firewalls and virtualization that I learned from working as a security analyst while also designing a class around how I would want to learn the content.

GSU Newsroom: Who were some of the professors who shaped your experience and your future?

Cambron: Robert Garcia taught my database and IT infrastructure classes. He knew about my career and goals and consistently pushed me to expand my boundaries and learn more. He made me feel like he was invested in my success and made me want to work harder for him.

GSU Newsroom: What's next after graduation?

Cambron: I recently learned that I need a kidney transplant. This means that the next few years need to be focused on my health and my family rather than pushing my career to the next step. I love my job and my company so my hope is that this degree will open the door to new opportunities within the organization. While I’m no longer planning any major career moves, I love school and learning so I plan to get a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.

GSU Newsroom: What advice would you give GSU students?

Cambron: It is never too late to get your degree. I started my bachelor’s degree in 1994 and didn’t finish until 2015. Life happens but I never lost sight of my goals. I may not have followed a traditional path but that has provided me with a breadth of experiences. Along those lines, take advantage of the wisdom of the people in your classes. Your professors are experts in their fields and can share their experience, but your classmates have experience and wisdom as well. I enjoy sharing my practical work experience in the classroom and have learned so much from the experiences of my classmates. Plus, school is the best networking opportunity you get!