Jenna Curry
Cybersecurity, Class of 2026
From Tulsa, OK
When Jenna Curry applied to be part of the inaugural class of the OU Polytechnic Institute (OUPI), she did this intending to be industry-ready by building her technical skills. As a student at OUPI, she has gained the position of independent contractor with the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC). Below, read Curry’s Q&A to discover more about her time with OAEC and the opportunities she has discovered with OUPI.
Why did you apply to OUPI?
My last job unexpectedly promoted me to the role of cybersecurity analyst. Beyond a basic understanding of cyber hygiene, I didn’t have much knowledge in the field. I knew that if I was going to pursue cybersecurity, I wanted to do it well, so I joined the program to strengthen my skills. When I saw a banner on the lawn of the OU-Tulsa campus promoting a cybersecurity program, I decided to apply.
What led you to seek work with the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives?
John Hassell, Ph.D., one of my professors, connected me to this position. He manages OAEC’s mobile app and knew they were looking for help updating the new legislator information after the last election. He asked if I was interested in the position. Since it offered such flexible hours, I knew it would be a good fit for me while juggling school and raising a child.
What are some of your main responsibilities at OAEC?
I help manage legislative guides for Oklahoma and guides similar to OAEC's app for South Dakota and Wyoming. I ensure the guides are up to date with legislative information, committee assignments, and other essential details. This includes compressing and refining high-quality images for official legislator portraits, entering and verifying new legislator data, and reflecting committee updates and legislative activities. Additionally, I maintain interactive maps so citizens can locate and interact with their specific representatives based on geographical location.
What skills have you developed during your time with OAEC that are valuable to your future career?
In any job, strong and clear communication is essential. People often struggle to frame their ideas into clear requests. They know what they want but don’t always identify the relevant details needed to communicate it effectively. In this role, I’ve developed the ability to extract the necessary information from people to ensure I’m delivering what they need.
What advice do you have for students seeking out jobs and interships while in school?
The faculty at OUPI have taken a very proactive approach to supporting students’ career goals. I’m not the only student that Dr. Hassell has encouraged to try opportunities outside of the program. He is always on the lookout for ways to help students. Building connections with helpful mentors and maintaining strong relationships is a tried-and-true method for opening doors to the future.
