By Edmond Ortiz
Markos Rodriguez, a Texas A&M University-San Antonio class of 2023 graduate, has transformed his computer hobby into a successful career in the world of information technology with a degree from Texas A&M University-San Antonio in Computer Information Systems (CIS) . With a passion for computing and a knack for problem-solving, Rodriguez has navigated his way from a modest upbringing in east Texas to becoming a senior systems engineer. His Jaguar journey has been shaped by perseverance and the pursuit of knowledge, resulting in the achievement of magna cum laude honors and a bachelor’s degree.
“I’ve always been into computers. I’ve dabbled with all sorts of things when I was younger, always getting in trouble because I’m getting viruses on the computer,” Rodriguez said with a laugh.
Rodriguez spent the past five years working with Intellidyne, where he is a senior systems engineer in the crucial role of helping maintain the IT infrastructure for U.S. Southern Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.
Born and raised in east Texas, Rodriguez saw the military as the first step toward jumpstarting his career, preferably in information technology. “I knew there was no good job opportunity there. I grew up very poor, so I knew I didn’t have a chance if I stayed there, so that’s why I ended up joining the military,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez joined the U.S. Navy in 2003, like his father and brother before him, spending five years supporting interior naval communications. He left the Navy in 2008 and began his collegiate journey at Stephen F. Austin University, studying CIS security with a concentration on information assurance, off and on over four years.
Personal connections led him and his future wife Jennifer to San Antonio in 2012. He resumed his CIS studies at Northwest Vista College, where in 2018 he earned an associate degree.
Over the past decade, Rodriguez’s digital skills evolved, and he worked various tech jobs before arriving at Intellidyne. He sought to return to working towards a bachelor’s degree and looked to Texas A&M-San Antonio.
Rodriguez admired the university’s rapidly expanding CIS program. Given his full-time contract work and helping to raise his firstborn daughter, Lillian, Rodriguez also liked the university’s flexible online course offerings.
“I wanted to go to a top-name school that I could boast about, and a place where I could take classes online. I knew Texas A&M-SA was well known and someplace I could be proud of graduating from.” – Markos Rodriguez
Rodriguez began his studies at A&M-San Antonio in 2020 and earned his bachelor’s in the spring of 2023, graduating magna cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. Despite his virtual instruction, he forged meaningful connections by using his considerable skills and experience to help others in his field of study.
“At A&M-SA I’ve actually made good friends with other students. Granted, it helps that I have a heavy IT background, but I’ve essentially taught classes after hours because other students didn’t understand or needed help,” he said.
Rodriguez acknowledged the support he received from his military service that made his journey at A&M-SA possible.
“I did benefit from being in the military because they helped to pay for my going to Texas A&M San Antonio, and for my educational and health benefits. I am thankful that I did it,” he said.
NOTE: A&M-San Antonio is a military-embracing University and honored as a Military Friendly School again in 2023. Read more…
