Centriq recognizes 1-2 outstanding students as our Featured Student of the Month. Ethan Stanley is one of our Featured Students for March 2026.
When Army Veteran and father of four Ethan Stanley set out to level up his IT career, he knew he wanted more than just online tutorials. He wanted hands-on experience with instructors who were experts in their field. “There is plenty of information on the internet on the ‘right way’ to do things, but those ‘right ways’ don’t always translate to real life,” Ethan explains. “Being able to ask questions to people who have worked in the field for years really helps to translate the jargon into real world scenarios that boost your confidence and give you the edge you need for an entry level job in a market that is tough to break into. That’s why I came to Centriq and that is exactly what I got from Centriq.”
Ethan’s favorite part of the Cybersecurity Specialist Program was tough to narrow down. “It is hard to choose between ADDS, the cloud classes, SEC+ 1-4, and the networking classes,” he says. Each module brought something unique:
ADDS (Active Directory Domain Service): “It explained to me the difference between a domain and a workgroup, why I was able to log into my account on any computer at work, and how a magician could reset my password with the click of a button from halfway across the country.”
Cloud: “It expanded on the ADDS aspects of a domain controller, managed security, and identity control without having to spend tens of thousands on hardware. It also really correlated to what we as graduates will be doing in the field, especially in a MSP environment.”
Security+: “The SEC+ classes are what I came here for! The tit for tat that goes on between threat actors and security teams is so intricate and fascinating. Learning how security teams are becoming more proactive, learning how the tools that are used to threaten individuals and companies work, and the genius behind the attacks and defenses really blows my mind.”
Networking: “It really is the backbone of the IT industry. Understanding how the networks get laid out and set up, managed, repaired, and even restarted gave me the foundation to understand how the rest of the industry would be belly up without networking engineers.”
Ethan recently accepted a role as a Field Support Engineer at Platinum-Corp. “I’ll be designed, setting up, and managing networks for new businesses while acting as on-site IT support. As the only IT personnel in the metro for the company, I hope to help the company grow and hire more techs for the KC area,” he says.
Outside of tech, Ethan is a dedicated family man, always hunting for new knowledge, and the perfect homemade marinade. “I love to cook but hate to bake, and I’m always looking for a new homemade marinade or dry rub,” he shares.
Congratulations Ethan!