Government security clearance workshop draws 74 students across four colleges
Published: Sep 8, 2026 1:30 PM
By Staff Report
Seventy-four students representing Auburn Engineering, the College of Sciences and Mathematics and College of Liberal Arts found out at a two-hour workshop, “Navigating U.S. Government Security Clearances,” on Tuesday, Sept. 1, in the Brown-Kopel Center.
How can U.S. government security clearances shape internship and career opportunities?
Seventy-four students representing Auburn Engineering, the College of Sciences and Mathematics, the Harbert College of Business and the College of Liberal Arts found out at a two-hour workshop, “Navigating U.S. Government Security Clearances,” on Tuesday, Sept. 1, in the Brown-Kopel Center.
Hosted by the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering's Office of Career Development and Corporate Relations and conducted by Daniel Tauritz, Auburn University’s director for National Laboratory Relationships and COLSA Endowed Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering, the workshop provided an overview of clearance types, eligibility requirements and the process of obtaining and maintaining clearance.
There, students learned how factors such as their digital footprint, resume preparation and personal and professional history can position them for careers in fields where security clearances are often required.
“Early in their education, students often don’t realize that choices they make then, such as experimenting with federally illegal drugs, or posting photos of themselves drunk at a wild Spring Break party, can haunt them years later when they’re applying for internships or permanent positions, particularly those requiring a security clearance,” Tauritz said.
Tauritz shared personal experiences involving security clearances, discussed the benefits and challenges of holding a clearance and offered practical advice for students pursuing opportunities requiring clearance with government agencies, national laboratories and industry such as defense contractors.
“Increasingly, careers in sensitive fields such as national security, critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity and even AI, require a security clearance,” Tauritz said. “This is an opportunity and a challenge. Students who position themselves well for such opportunities, will be more competitive for top-paying jobs requiring a clearance, while those that don’t, will be competing in a highly specialized, hyper-competitive job market.”
Media Contact: , jem0040@auburn.edu, 334.844.3447