For many students, summer is a time of relaxation. But it’s the perfect opportunity for others to sharpen their skills for the upcoming school year.
Marymount University sophomore Luke Claudy, a Cybersecurity major and member of the Men’s Swimming team, spent part of his summer attending the Capital One Launchpad: Legacy and Leadership Program. A partnership between the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and Capital One, the Launchpad program welcomed students to Capital One’s headquarters in McLean, Va. for an immersive five-day experience focused on career exploration and professional development.
Of 1,200 applicants nationwide, Claudy was one of only 100 students selected to participate. He says the program “aligned well with my interest in business, technology and cybersecurity.”
This opportunity was made possible by Marymount’s distinction as a HACU partner and status as Virginia’s only Hispanic-Serving Institution.
“At Marymount, we are dedicated to providing our Saints with exceptional opportunities to grow academically and professionally,” said Marymount University President Irma Becerra. “Our HACU partnership exemplifies how we can help all students gain invaluable experiences that shape their futures, no matter their background. I encourage every student to take full advantage of these unique opportunities to enhance their skills and expand their horizons.”
It was Marymount’s bachelor’s program in Cybersecurity that originally brought Claudy from Wingate, N.C. to Arlington.
“There aren’t many accredited cybersecurity programs in the country, so the fact that Marymount had one drew my eye,” Claudy explained. “When I came for an on-site visit, I fell in love with the campus and the faculty. I also loved the emphasis on career preparedness, which helps prepare students for success.”
Claudy, who was looking for skill-building summer experiences, found out about the Launchpad program through Marymount’s Center for Career Development. Because the University is a HACU partner, he was able to apply and gain acceptance into the competitive program.
“It was amazing to be chosen and to represent Marymount in that space,” Claudy reflected. “I got to meet students from all over the country and network with industry professionals, which was such a valuable experience.”
During the program, students were split into groups and tasked with completing a final capstone project they would later present to Capital One executives. Claudy’s team placed second overall after pitching a new product geared toward college students.
“We created a credit card for college students built on networking,” Claudy said. “People who use the card would have access to a network of people who also use that card and could participate in networking events hosted by Capital One. I don’t know if anything like that will ever happen, but everyone liked our presentation. It was awesome to be a part of a team creating an innovative product.”
Claudy also benefited from the mentorship portion of the program, as a Capital One employee acted as his personal and professional guide during his time with the company.
“My mentor just so happened to be a guy on the cybersecurity team, which was awesome because he gave me a lot of great insight about what it was like to be a working cybersecurity professional,” Claudy said.
He described the experience as eye-opening and helped him narrow his focus within the cybersecurity field.
“I had never really considered working as a cybersecurity professional in the banking industry,” Claudy added. “But I fell in love with the work and the environment at Capital One, and I think it would be a great fit for me after school. The team building and critical thinking skills will help me succeed in my classes moving forward, and all of the connections I’ve made will be helpful for internship and job opportunities in the future.”
