At The UT San Antonio, a unique partnership is transforming how students prepare for careers in technology. Through the UT San Antonio Bold Careers Program and UT San Antonion’s ServiceNow Academic Partnership, students from diverse backgrounds are discovering how enterprise technology can align with their passions - whether in cybersecurity, project management, data analytics, or business consulting. Meet five students whose journeys showcase the transformative power of hands-on learning with the ServiceNow AI Platform.
Student Spotlights: Five Unique Journeys
Ethan Long arrived at UT San Antonio as a master's student in Information Technology with a concentration in Cybersecurity, looking for practical experience that would set him apart. He found it through the UT San Antonio Bold Careers Program. "I became interested in learning about the ServiceNow AI Platform once I learned that it aligned with my cybersecurity interests," Ethan explains.
Andrew Dotson, a sophomore majoring in BBA in Cybersecurity major, had already encountered ServiceNow through UT San Antonio's own IT operations. What drew him in was the ServiceNow AI Platform's dedicated cybersecurity track. Andrew's persistence and determination to join the program paid off when he secured his spot in Fall 2025 - a testament to his commitment to building his cybersecurity career.
Olubunmi Joseph took an unusual path to ServiceNow expertise. After interning on ServiceNow's own threat intelligence team, he joined UT San Antonio's Bold Careers Program from the other side - helping the first batch of students earn their certifications. Now, as a senior studying cybersecurity, he's passionate about giving back: "It's definitely the students. They are why we do this."
Kunal Biswas, a junior at the University of Texas at Austin majoring in Management Information Systems, came to ServiceNow through his summer internship at The University of Texas System. "Seeing the additional capabilities offered by ServiceNow in data visualization, workflow automation, and analytics made me interested in learning the ServiceNow AI Platform more deeply," Kunal explains.
Ranya Bhartiya, a junior pursuing Computer Science with a Mathematics minor, discovered ServiceNow through both her UT System internship and the UT San Antonio Bold Careers Program. "The idea of using one centralized platform to automate workflows, improve efficiency, and manage business problems really stood out to me as someone who is interested in both technology and project management."
What Makes the Program Special
For these students, one element stands out: community. Despite being entirely remote, the program brings participants together weekly to share experiences and support each other's learning journeys.
"My favorite part of the program is that, even though the program is entirely remote, participants still meet online once a week," says Ethan. "I enjoy knowing that there are more people doing what I'm doing or have done it in the past, so there is support and help if I need it."
Andrew emphasizes accessibility: "The fact that I'm being trained for free, because normally all of these courses would cost a lot of money, but thanks to UT San Antonio, I'm able to do this 100% free."
Ranya appreciates the program's flexibility: "My favorite part is the variety of tracks it offers, such as Cybersecurity, Data Analyst, Project Manager, and more. I really appreciate having the opportunity to explore different areas and find what aligns with my interests."
Real Skills, Real Opportunities
The students are gaining hands-on expertise that directly applies to their career goals. Ethan is following the ServiceNow Security Operations (SecOps) career journey, while Andrew has completed the Security Incident Response course and is working toward finishing the cybersecurity track. Kunal is working through the Data Analytics learning path, Olubunmi is pursuing the Certified Implementation Specialist - Strategic Portfolio Management course, and Ranya is following the Associate Technical Project Manager track.
"It has helped me better understand how the ServiceNow AI Platform supports IT operations through built-in analytics and automation features," says Kunal. For Andrew, the impact is clear: "It will allow me to put on my resume that I have ServiceNow experience and make me more employable."
Looking Ahead: Careers Taking Shape
The program has given these students clarity about their professional futures. Ethan plans to pursue roles as a ServiceNow Consultant, Developer, or Analyst at partner firms. Andrew, who already runs a small cybersecurity consulting business, sees ServiceNow playing a role in his future, focusing on administrator or consultant roles.
Olubunmi, graduating next May, is looking at project management and security engineering roles while planning to pursue a master's degree in Information Security and Privacy at UT Austin. Kunal is considering developer roles within the ServiceNow ecosystem, while Ranya is actively seeking internships or project-based opportunities where she can apply her newly developed skills.
The Power of Academic Partnership
What makes UT San Antonio's Bold Careers Program particularly effective is how it bridges the gap between academic learning and professional readiness. The students' advice for peers reflects their positive experiences:
"I would encourage them to go for it," says Ethan. "The ServiceNow AI Platform is extremely versatile and offers something relevant for everyone to learn."
Andrew urges students to "start sooner, rather than later, and if you're too busy to deep-dive, just get done what you can. You'll still be learning, and that's what matters."
Olubunmi encourages openness: "Be open to learning new things. There's a lot of great content on the ServiceNow AI Platform, and you can do yourself a disservice only focusing on one thing."
For universities considering academic partnerships, the students' message is clear. As Andrew notes: "Degrees are not the only thing employers look for anymore. They expect you to have experience right out the gate, and it's integral that you offer experiences like my university does so that all students have the chance to put something on their resumes."
Olubunmi emphasizes the career outcomes: "This is not a partnership you want to miss out on. We have had students get full-time jobs post-graduation by having these certifications. If you are a school that cares about keeping your students' hands on the pulse of this industry, this partnership is the best way to keep that cycle alive."
Ready to Transform Your Students' Futures?
The stories from UT San Antonio demonstrate how academic partnerships with ServiceNow create pathways to meaningful careers in technology. Whether students are interested in cybersecurity, project management, development, consulting, or data analytics, the ServiceNow AI Platform offers relevant learning paths that translate directly to job-ready skills.
Interested in becoming an academic partner and using the ServiceNow AI Platform at your college? Our academic partnerships provide students with hands-on experience, industry certifications, and direct pathways to high-demand careers.
Reach out to academicpartnerships@servicenow.com to get started and discover how your institution can join our growing network of academic partners preparing the next generation of ServiceNow professionals.
