Latin School of Chicago

MATT SHABAT alumni Department of Homeland Security ���The most important life lesson I learned in school revolves around the need to stay ahead of the crisis.��� There aren���t many ���typical��� days at work for Matt Shabat ���93. A policy and planning lead within the Department of Homeland Security���s National Cyber Security Division, Shabat frequently encounters the most pressing issues in modern national security and international affairs. Most of his work is strategic. But on any given day, he also prepares congressional testimony and briefings for senior leadership or responds to queries from members of Congress and the White House. While familiarity with complex technical and cyber matters is central to his job, the ability to translate his knowledge also is key. ���It is my responsibility to communicate clearly and persuasively about these issues so that they are understood by and useful for senior government leaders, members of Congress and their staff, as well as the general public,��� he explains. Shabat never loses sight of the fact that how he communicates can significantly impact Department of Homeland Security policy and ultimately decisionmaking at the highest levels of government. Beyond his day-to-day work, Shabat is on a mission to raise awareness about the importance of Internet security, a topic he recently spoke to students at Latin about as part of the LIFE program (Latin���s Initiative for Ethics). With the use of informational technology growing into areas we cannot even predict ��� including home appliances, automobiles and even power grids ��� Shabat believes it is crucial for public safety that implementing cyber security measures become part of every American���s daily routine. Shabat first developed an interest in national security through history courses he took at Latin. He went on to Stanford University and law school at the University of Pennsylvania before starting his career as a corporate and securities attorney. When an opportunity arose to work for the Institute for National Strategic Studies at Fort McNair, Shabat jumped at the chance to return to his first passion and later earned a master���s degree in security policy studies from the Elliot School of International Affairs. Reflecting on the turns his own life has taken, Shabat advises today���s students to take advantage of the full diversity of academic opportunities that are available to them, even if not everything they study falls directly within their area of interest. Being wellrounded will help students no matter what direction they take. Moreover, he explains: ���The most important life lesson I learned in school revolves around the need to stay ahead of the crisis. The workplace is full of competing priorities, which ebb and flow based on factors over which you often have little control. You need to understand the relative ranking of each priority, develop action plans and execute.��� This, along with a strong work ethic and the ability to collaborate and to learn from mistakes, will prepare young people for future workplaces. At the same time, honesty and integrity are the most important qualities in his job, or any job for that matter, says Shabat. ���As a federal employee, the public places its trust in me to, as the oath of office states, ���well and faithfully discharge��� my duties.��� The most rewarding aspects of his work reflect his essence as a true public servant. He expresses it this way: ���I go home at night knowing that I contributed to the security of my country, my fellow citizens and my family.��� Editor���s Note: The opinions expressed are those of Matt Shabat and do not reflect the positions of the U.S. government or the Department of Homeland Security. ��� Linda Hennelly 42 Latin Magazine

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