Connecting With Connecticut's Youth

On February 5, 2026, Michael and Heidi visited Central Connecticut State University to meet with students from the School of Engineering on behalf of MSI. The invitation came from a professor connection made at the Aerospace Alley Tradeshow. By the start of the session, approximately 20–25 students, along with Deans and Career Advisors, had gathered. MSI was the only company presenting that day.

Source: CCSU Instagram

We began by sharing who we are, what we do, and where we operate. The first half of the session focused on MSI’s history, the industries we support, and the types of roles available within our organization. Heidi spoke about her experience starting as an intern and how the early opportunity shaped her career. Her stories made the path from classroom to career feel tangible and attainable.

Cybersecurity quickly became a dominant topic. Students were highly engaged, asking detailed questions about the information security landscape during the presentation and continuing with one-on-one conversations afterward. Heidi briefed them on standards and frameworks such as NIST, ISO 27001, and CMMC, explaining how they apply in real-world environments. The discussion extended beyond theory; students wanted to understand how these standards connect to active government and private-sector projects.

Coding was another consistent theme. Many students shared that they had invested heavily in programming and building home labs. Michael offered an honest perspective: while coding is valuable, much of it is outsourced or increasingly supported by automation and AI. He stressed that job prospects focused solely on coding may be limited and he encouraged students to broaden their skill sets, particularly toward cybersecurity, compliance, and applied engineering roles where demand remains strong.

A surprising moment came when we asked how many students had stepped inside a manufacturing facility. Very few hands went up. That opened the door to a broader conversation about the value of mechanical and applied roles, positions that combine engineering knowledge with operational execution. Several students expressed interest in shadowing MSI to see those environments firsthand.

The conversation also touched on the difference between large corporations and smaller companies. MSI highlighted the advantages of working in a smaller environment: broader responsibility, closer leadership access, and clearer visibility into meaningful work. Students responded positively, and many stayed well beyond the scheduled time, with pizza in hand, lining up to speak individually about their studies and career interests.

The response was strong. Five to six resumes were collected onsite, with more submitted via email afterward. MSI was also invited back for the 2027 Career Link event.

We believe it is important to provide transparent, relevant insight into the job market, helping students see the opportunities that truly exist while also identifying future talent. The engagement at CCSU confirmed that Connecticut’s students are eager for that clarity and ready to step into what comes next.

We are thrilled to be a part of it!