Alumni Success Stories
Daniel Skahan
Continuing a Life of Service: Daniel Skahan's Journey into Cybersecurity
Freedom creates opportunity. What we do with that opportunity is what defines our path.
For Daniel Skahan, that path has always been centered on service.
A Kansas City native, Daniel first answered the call to serve by joining the United States Army Infantry. After completing his military service, he continued his commitment to others as a law enforcement officer serving communities throughout Johnson County. Throughout his career, Daniel has dedicated himself to protecting and supporting those around him.
But even the most successful careers can evolve.
As he began considering the next chapter of his professional journey, Daniel knew he wanted to find a field that would challenge him, provide long-term growth opportunities, and allow him to continue making a meaningful impact. While he had previously used a portion of his Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits to earn his pilot's license, he recognized that aviation was more of a personal passion than a long-term career goal.
Determined to find the right path, Daniel took ownership of his future. He researched emerging technology careers and cybersecurity training opportunities, even leveraging AI tools to explore potential career options. His research pointed him toward Centriq.
After connecting with Senior Education Consultant Russ Mondry, Daniel enrolled in Centriq's Cybersecurity Specialist Program with support from Vocational Rehabilitation. As a veteran with a 90% disability rating, the resources provided through Vocational Rehabilitation helped make this career transition possible, but it was Daniel's drive, discipline, and commitment that ultimately made the difference.
From February through June 2026, Daniel approached his training with the same determination that defined his military and law enforcement careers. He embraced the curriculum, applied what he learned in the classroom, and remained focused on his goal of launching a career in technology.
That effort paid off.
Shortly after graduating, Daniel secured a position with Complete Technology Solutions, one of Centriq's Premier Employer Partners, as a paid Technical Support Intern with the opportunity to transition into a full-time role. His success reflects what can happen when preparation, persistence, and opportunity come together.
Daniel's story is about more than a career change. It's about the freedom to reinvent yourself, the courage to pursue something new, and the determination to follow through when challenges arise.
Today, Daniel is building a future in cybersecurity while continuing a lifelong commitment to protecting and supporting others. His journey demonstrates that some of the most valuable skills in technology aren't technical at all. Discipline, resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn are qualities that can open doors to entirely new opportunities.
Many of the qualities that contributed to Daniel’s success like problem‑solving, accountability, adaptability, and a strong service mindset are ones you likely see every day in the Veterans you support.
When those qualities are present, Centriq can serve as a great alternative worth considering. For candidates still evaluating fit, our assessment provides a practical way to determine whether an IT career, and our hands‑on training model, align with their goals and strengths.
If you’re working with other Veterans who exhibit similar traits and are exploring technology as a possible next step, we’d welcome the opportunity to be considered as a training option. And if there’s any uncertainty about whether IT or Centriq is the right fit, our assessment is available as a supportive tool to help guide that decision.