NJ Man Uses Stimulus Check To Go Back To College In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — A New Jersey man is using his federal stimulus check to return to school after a quarter-century absence from the classroom.

Timothy Adams, a self-described “ethical hacker” with a lifelong affinity for learning, said he’s investing his coronavirus stimulus funds into an education in cybersecurity at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark.

“I’m spending my stimulus to purchase a laptop and enroll in a great technology school for online classes,” Adams said.

As Adams ramps up for his first courses in March, he’s also trying to find other ways to cover his ongoing education, such as grants, scholarships, crowdfunding, sponsorships and even donations.

In the end, he hopes it will all pay off with a valuable technology degree he can parlay into a career in cybersecurity.

“I’m going back to school after 25 years because I cherish this country and want to give back,” Adams said.

In the meanwhile, Adams – who identifies himself as “hungry and humble” on his LinkedIn profile – has started his own technology company.

“I’m looking at the different aspects of security, including the building of systems and servers, breach prevention, maintenance and interconnectivity of networks, selective access and the ability to take immediate steps if systems are attacked,” he said.

“Though cybersecurity has been part of IT and operations, what is especially exciting about my new chosen field is the constantly evolving pieces of a changing global landscape,” Adams said. “I want to be involved in being a part of an ever-changing industry.”

• See related article: NJ's 'Free Tuition' Program Is A Big Hit At Essex County College
• See related article: It Just Got Easier To Transfer From Essex County College To NJIT

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