From Security Curiosity to Infrastructure Impact: How One TLI Grad Found His Path

When Matthew Jensen enrolled in the M.S. in Security Technologies program at the University of Minnesota, he had a practical goal in mind: sharpen his skills and take the next step in his career.

“I wanted to develop skills that would make me more of an expert in my field,” he said. “And I felt that a master's degree was almost necessary for many senior-level positions in my field.”

He was looking for a flexible, in-person program that would fit around his travel-heavy job and offer coursework in areas that already interested him—like cybersecurity, risk management, and infrastructure. What he didn’t expect was how quickly one of those topics would become more than an interest.

The first course he took—ST 8330: Critical Infrastructure Protection—reshaped how he saw his career.

“It provided a framework for the homeland security considerations around critical infrastructure,” Matthew said. “I found the subject matter fascinating, prompting me to consider a role that focuses more on infrastructure.”

That course ended up pointing him toward an entirely new direction—one he hadn’t planned for when starting the program.

Today, Matthew works as a Security Development Manager at STV Inc., an engineering company that designs transportation systems, water infrastructure, and public facilities. His role combines both technical expertise and big-picture thinking. He supports clients by developing system security plans, conducting vulnerability and risk assessments, and helping shape the security elements of major infrastructure projects.

While the coursework helped him shift focus, it also gave him tools to work in this space with confidence.

In ST 8111: Methods, Theory, and Applications, Matthew and his classmates were matched with real organizations around the Twin Cities. They performed on-site risk assessments and presented their findings directly to the people managing those spaces.

“We met in person with security professionals in the industry, walked the client sites, and delivered a presentation to actual decision-makers,” he said. “It was a great way to apply what we were learning.”

He also took two cybersecurity-focused electives over the summer—ST 5661 and ST 5662—which helped him build a foundation for the CISSP certification and work on a project with an industry leader.

What began as a career move ended up becoming something more meaningful: a chance to step into a new area of security that aligned better with his interests and strengths. And the program helped him discover that in real time.

That experience—of starting with one goal and uncovering something entirely unexpected—is what Matthew hopes others will remain open to as well.

“Be open to the opportunities and new interests that may arise in this program,” he said. “The professors will introduce you to unique perspectives that can change the course of your career.”

Looking back, he says some of the most valuable lessons came not just from the coursework but from the people he went through it with.

“Take time to get to know the members of your cohort,” he said. “They can be a part of the support network that helps you through this program.”

For Matthew, the shift wasn’t sudden—but it was significant. A single course opened a door, and the rest of the program gave him the skills to walk through it—with a new sense of direction, and a network to back him up.