Joshua Ragland’s life-changing pivot to cybersecurity is paying off

Joshua Ragland is wearing graduation gown and posing with his daughter.

If HFC student Joshua Ragland could earn advanced degrees from the College for the rest of his educational journey, he wouldn't hesitate.

“I have profound gratitude for the transformative role Henry Ford College has played in my life. I had never experienced that kind of high-quality teaching, patience, caring, and the way that the instructors went out of their way to ensure that students understood the material and could succeed,” said Ragland. “The teaching quality exceeds anything at a 4-year college or university. I want to make sure Brett Fulton, Margaret Green, Micah Webner, Chad Banks, Robert James, Marcci Conner, Kimberly Moscardelli, and Anthony Conti get some credit for my success because if it weren't for them, I would not be where I am today. They provided me with the skills and confidence I needed to excel.”

A lifelong Detroiter, where he lives with his partner of 16 years and their two children, ages 12 and 5, Ragland is the first member in his family to earn a college degree, which is a point of pride.

“It’s a really good feeling,” he said. “It's a testament to what hard work, dedication, and resilience can achieve. If you push hard enough and stay committed, anything is possible.”

Ethically hacking an entire lab of 66 machines

Ragland earned an associate degree in computer information systems and an associate degree in network administration at HFC. He will earn his associate degree in cybersecurity from HFC by the end of the year. Then he plans to transfer to the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

He also has three certificates from HFC, including application development, cybersecurity, and from the HFC Cisco Networking Academy.

In 2021, Ragland earned his Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification, which is an ethical hacking certification that validates a cybersecurity professional’s knowledge of penetration testing.

“The OSCP exam had the highest failure rate in the world, and it was a very expensive exam,” he recalled. “The exam was 24 hours long. You had to compromise enough machines to gain 70 points or higher to pass. You also had to write a penetration test (pentest) report within 24 hours after the exam ended. At the time, I was just finishing the network administration degree. I had previously left a job and had spent 16-18 hours per day for 42 days straight in their lab. I was able to compromise the whole lab, which was a total of 66 machines and three different subnets. The exam dealt with modifying public exploits. That version was heavily focused on binary exploitation web and host. I failed the first time. The second time I took the exam, I passed it within 15 hours and had a really good report from the proctors.”

Becoming a dad inspired him to change his path

The second of three siblings, Ragland is candid about his difficult background. He dropped out of school at 16 and later earned his GED. He enrolled in HFC several years ago when he was 25.

“When I had my daughter, I knew I needed to set a positive example. When you're holding a little person in your hands and they are innocent and they rely on you to provide everything for them, it really changes your perspective. I was determined to change my trajectory. I started studying for my GED. It was not an easy task. But having the support that I had around me, I felt I needed to push extra hard.”

Computers was a natural fit for Ragland, a member of the Henry Ford II Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa, and Sigma Alpha Phi. He was also involved in the Cybersecurity Club and the Programming Club at HFC.

“When I had dropped out of school, I started living on computers constantly,” he said. “I have been on computers since I was 9, so the classes at HFC seemed natural. I maintained nearly a 4.0 GPA every semester and stayed on the dean's list. I also took four classes at a time and earned mostly straight As, except when my mother had passed away. I ended up with nearly a 3.9 GPA.”

First job after HFC: 2 promotions in 1 year

Today, Ragland is security analyst for Alchemy Security in Denver, CO, for which he works remotely. He’s held this position for four years. His duties include:

  • Building detection for uncommon malware.
  • Monitoring environments for malicious activity and insider threats.
  • Conducting adversarial simulations at the external parameter of internet-facing assets.
  • Specializing in “everything evil” (ethically, of course) to protect clients’ assets and environments.

He credits HFC not only for helping him land this job, but also for moving up the ranks so quickly.

“Because of what the instructors taught me at HFC, I obtained two promotions in one year. Everything I learned was relevant, and I still haven't forgotten the lessons,” said Ragland. “I love seeing the smiles on my clients’ faces; they appreciate what I do by bringing awareness to the problems that they may be facing due to poor security practices. I really feel like I am making a difference in the world as I work with some very high-profile clients.”

Real-world instruction and mentoring were life-changing

Conner expressed how proud she is of her student.

“When Joshua first came to HFC, he seemed a little rough around the edges, but never judge a book by its cover!” she recalled. “Joshua was a bright and brilliant student. He exemplified that ‘I can and will do anything I put my mind to!’ He overcame every obstacle that stood in his way and he never lost faith. His story isn't just inspiring for others who face challenges. It also highlights the importance of providing opportunities for growth and support along the way.”

Conner knows what it took for Ragland to get to this level. “His success as a penetration tester speaks volumes about his commitment and hard work. Education not only shaped his career but also empowered him to overcome obstacles with a mindset that anything is possible. Stories like Joshua's prove that with the right mindset and resources, anyone can change the trajectory of their life and future. His success affirms that education changes lives and families.”

Ragland will always be grateful to HFC for allowing him the opportunity to rewrite his story.

“HFC has changed my life for the better. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing,” he said. “I love HFC and it will always be home to me. My instructors and mentors were the best, and I don’t even think they realize how valuable their knowledge and real-world experiences are, especially the way they pass them on to students. The unique combination of hands-on, real-world applicable education and passionate instructors at HFC is something that helps everyone thrive.”