Niels Hansen

Niels Hansen is a 2016 graduate of Blue Valley High School and was in the CAPS Technology Solutions class during the 2015-2016 school year. Niels is attending KU and plans to major in computer science and possibly double majoring in computer science and computer engineering due credit hours earned while at CAPS. He recently earned his CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certification. CCNA certification is an associate-level Cisco Career certification.

Here’s what Niels had to say about his CAPS experience:

Did your CAPS experiences help you understand what you wanted to pursue in college and where you wanted to go?

I have known for a while now that I have wanted to go into computer science, but CAPS sparked my interest in computer engineering as well as networking. Both of these fields I plan on pursuing. I decided to go to KU mainly due to scholarships.

Where there things at CAPS that helped prepare you for success in college?

My experience at CAPS definitely helped me prepare for college and advance my craft in my field of interest. Although I do spend time outside of school learning more about programming and networking, having the dedicated school time to do so greatly expedited my progress in both of these areas (as well as earning college credit in discrete structures, a required class for my major). It also gave me new experiences in different parts of the larger field of computer science, peeking my interests in networking and computer engineering in particular.

What was your biggest take-away from your CAPS experience?

My two greatest takeaways from CAPS have been finding and exploring other fields within computer science that I would likely not have otherwise been exposed to, and the professionals I have met through my experience. My CCNA is proof of my interest in networking when prior to CAPS I only was versed in programming, and under the guidance of Mr. Rau, CAPS IT manager, I learned more about networking and cybersecurity than would have been possible on my own. It is with his help that I was able to get my CCNA.

CAPS has easily been the best part of my schooling experience so far. Thanks again!