It was in a social media marketing class at FIU that information technology major Ryan Cruz felt his computer engineering and business interests come together. The assignment? To build a strong LinkedIn profile that garnered connections, rather than simply followers, with students and professionals in the field. With zero connections at the start of the course, Cruz wondered how he'd fare.
By the end of the semester, Cruz had formed more than 500 connections on the platform. And it wasn't long before he realized that his ability to build relationships, coupled with FIU's reputation as a stronghold in research, made him a desirable job candidate.
"A degree from a top R1 school was truly valuable during my job hunt," he recalls. "I remember seeing a Lockheed Martin hiring manager at the 2019 GMis (Great Minds in Stem) Conference raising his eyebrows when he saw the words 'Master's Degree in Cybersecurity' on my resume. He immediately scheduled me for an interview."
Cruz got the job and today is a senior cyber systems security engineer for defense technology company Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Palmdale, CA. He's also the recipient of the 2023 HENAAC Luminary Honoree award from GMiS. The honor is given to professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics who lead programs within their companies and have made significant contributions to the Hispanic technical community.
While most of the work Cruz performs at Lockheed Martin is classified, he can say that he loves the collaborative nature of his job. He also enjoys volunteering with the company's Engineers in the Classroom initiative and building houses for veterans.
It's been quite an unexpected ride for Cruz, he admits. Born in Miami to a single mom who came to the U.S. from Nicaragua as a young adult, Cruz says his interest in technology was first sparked by the IT magnet program at G. Holmes Braddock Senior High. He then attended Miami Dade College, where he received an associate's degree in computer information systems.
As a student scholarship recipient at FIU, Cruz received a bachelor's degree in information technology in 2017, and a master's degree in cybersecurity in 2019. He was part of the Department of Energy Fellows program, which he credits with giving him valuable experience.
"This science and technology workplace development program taught me so much and provided me with opportunities," Cruz says. "Through it, I was awarded internships with Savannah River National Laboratory and the Idaho National Laboratory." Not only did he hone his traditional job skills during the research and development internships, but he also learned better time management and effective communication skills.
Also integral to his success, he says, was his participation in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) FIU Chapter. The organization provided transportation to the GMiS conference in Orlando where he received that on-the-spot job interview with Lockheed Martin.
"I had heard other students say that they had gotten internships or jobs by attending the conference, and I hoped that would happen to me, but I wasn't expecting it at all," he says. "While I was there, SHPE sent a message to our WhatsApp group that Lockheed was looking to hire cyber security engineers."
Cruz ran over to their booth, and the rest is history. "Looking back, I realize that the clubs at FIU, such as SHPE are a difference-maker in landing your full-time job after graduation." Grateful for his mother's sacrifices, Cruz moved her and his brother to California with him.
Associate Teaching Professor Nancy Richmond, who teaches the FIU Social Media Marketing class that Cruz excelled in, was not surprised that her student received a job offer at the conference.
"Ryan's journey is a testament to the power of relationships," she says. "In a world that's increasingly digital, he's shown that building trust and fostering connection — whether in person or on social media — is the foundation of lasting success. He is a relationship builder at his core. As a double FIU alum, he has blended his technical expertise in cybersecurity with a deep understanding of how to connect with people."
Cruz, who has been a guest speaker for Richmond's classes, advises students to "put yourself out there, believe in your capabilities and don't be afraid of a no. If you hear no from someone, you just keep trying."
He and Dr. Richmond also suggest taking courses outside of your major. "My course is in the College of Business," she says, "but the lessons apply to every field. Building relationships is universal, whether you're in engineering, computer science or any other discipline."
