USM Cybersecurity Ambassadors Podcast · USM Cybersecurity Ambassadors

Being a Graduate Assistant with Zachary Leavitt

·46 min·4 clips

Discover how Zachary Leavitt's journey from Geek Squad to cybersecurity training shapes Maine's workforce.

This episode of the USM Cybersecurity Ambassadors Podcast features hosts Cole and Connor Bryson interviewing graduate assistant Zachary Leavitt. Leavitt serves as the graduate assistant for the Cybersecurity Ambassadors program and works as a senior support engineer at Guideline. The conversation focuses on Leavitt's current role and his professional journey in IT and cybersecurity. Leavitt explains his primary project is developing a 16-week training program to equip Cybersecurity Ambassadors with job-ready security skills. He previously provided more general oversight for the ambassador program itself. His career began with a three-year stint at the Geek Squad, where he accumulated many client service stories. He then spent four years at Tyler Tech providing support for their Tyler SIS management software. A significant insight is the practical foundation Leavitt built through direct customer support roles before moving into cybersecurity. His experience at the Geek Squad provided firsthand exposure to common technical issues and user problems. The structured 16-week training program aims to create a fast track for developing workforce competencies. His move from broad IT support to a specialized engineering role at Guideline shows a clear career progression path. The episode maintains a conversational and interview-based tone, with the hosts prompting Leavitt to share his background. The style is informal and educational, focusing on career pathways and program development. Listeners interested in entry-level IT stories or structured cybersecurity training initiatives would find this episode valuable. Those seeking deep technical analysis or discussions on advanced cyber threats might find the content too introductory.

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from USM Cybersecurity Ambassadors Podcast