Raiyan Wasi turns classroom knowledge into real-world impact

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Raiyan Wasi, an international student from Dhaka, Bangladesh, is growing his potential at Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business. The senior studying computer information systems has learned the value of community and putting himself out there, making the most of his time at WMU.

For Wasi, his academic path is merely scratching the surface of the world of technology.

“When I think about what gets me out of bed in the morning, it's seeing how cloud networking, large language models and data mining are revolutionizing everything around us. I'm fascinated by how we're using data to make life better in ways we couldn't imagine even five years ago. It sounds cliché, but I genuinely believe data has become more valuable than gold, especially with how AI is transforming industries overnight.”

With a field that is quickly evolving, accurate, relevant teaching is more important than ever. Thanks to the help of WMU Haworth, Wasi is keeping up with trending technology.

“What surprised me the most about WMU Haworth is how personally invested the professors are in our success,” Wasi says. “They don't just lecture; they actively create opportunities for us to challenge ourselves in real-world scenarios. I particularly value how professional certifications are woven right into our coursework. This innovative approach connects classroom theory directly to industry needs, making our learning immediately applicable. The hands-on opportunities have truly transformed my education.”

Wasi has been able to put his classroom knowledge into practice through two internships. Serving as a help desk technician at the Kalamazoo Public Library last spring, Wasi was responsible for assisting library patrons in their technology endeavors, eventually leading to his promotion to a network and systems intern. In this position, Wasi worked to strengthen the cybersecurity posture and on serious infrastructure projects like Wi-Fi controller migrations and firewall enhancements. He even helped design the network and security architecture for the new Alma Powell Branch, which was a large responsibility. “The most valuable takeaway from my time at the library wasn't just the technical experience, though that was incredible,” Wasi says. “It was being able to bridge the gap between technical knowledge and community needs.  Taking complex security concepts and making them accessible to regular library patrons felt meaningful in a way purely technical work sometimes doesn't. Helping people protect themselves online and seeing that ‘aha moment’ when concepts clicked for them is something I'll carry with me throughout my career.”

Over the summer, Wasi served as an infrastructure and information security intern at Gentex Corporation. There, he was responsible for assisting in network design for new facilities, implementing secure network access policies and setting up servers with security best practices. Additionally, he also performed security assessments, managed vulnerabilities and supported firewall configurations while also enhancing cloud infrastructure security and automations to protect Gentex’s digital environment. 

Beyond academic and career support, WMU Haworth gives students like Wasi a platform to connect and build community with each other. He says, “Getting involved on campus has been one of the best decisions I've made at WMU. For almost two years now, I've served as vice president of the Bronco Cybersecurity Club, where we've created a space for students, even those who find cybersecurity intimidating, to dive in and learn.” 

Being an international student has also shaped Wasi’s campus involvement. “I've worked with the International Student Council and Western Student Association to make WMU feel more like home for students far from their families. Recently, taking on the role of president of the Bangladesh Student Association has been particularly meaningful. We've dramatically increased our membership and participation.”

As Wasi approaches graduation, he is looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead of him.

“My immediate goal after graduation is landing a position with a Fortune 500 tech company where I can dive deep into cybersecurity, AI and emerging technologies. I'm particularly drawn to defense technology and advanced data analytics companies. But my ambitions extend beyond being just another employee. The experiences and knowledge I'm gathering now are building blocks toward my ultimate dream: founding my own startup focused on cybersecurity and defense technology solutions.”

Learn more about computer information systems at WMU. 

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