Supporting End Users at OneIT
Serving as a Student Technical Analyst at UNC Charlotte's OneIT Service Desk, resolving user issues across multiple channels and building fluency with enterprise ticketing and campus information systems.
Computer Science · Cybersecurity Concentration
Brian “BJ” Saunders Jr
Computer Science student at UNC Charlotte with a cybersecurity concentration, building practical software through internship work, technical projects, and hands-on security labs. I care about understanding systems deeply, writing useful code, and keeping security in mind from the start.
Current Focus
The areas I am actively developing through internship work, independent projects, and certification study.
Building OptionScope
Developing a general-purpose options analytics platform with FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Docker, and market-data integrations to deepen my understanding of financial systems and backend architecture.
Growing Cloud Fundamentals
Preparing for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam while strengthening my understanding of cloud concepts, core services, security, pricing, and architecture.
Education
B.S. Computer Science, Cybersecurity Concentration
GPA: 3.4. Dean's List (4x), Chancellor's List (2x).
M.S. Cybersecurity (Accelerated Early Entry)
Accelerated Early Entry program combining undergraduate and graduate coursework in cybersecurity.
Learning & Certifications
Cloud fundamentals and technical credentials I am actively building toward.
In Progress
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Foundational • CLF-C02
Studying AWS cloud concepts, core services, security, architecture, pricing, and support to better understand how cloud-based systems are designed, deployed, and discussed in technical teams.
Learn MoreSelected Projects
Projects and labs that show how I apply software development, security, and systems thinking outside the classroom.
Cloud Resume Challenge
AWS, Terraform, Python, GitHub Actions
This site runs on it: a serverless visitor counter and fully automated deployment pipeline built on AWS.
- Serverless visitor counter: API Gateway to Lambda to DynamoDB, with the count persisted across a live infrastructure migration.
- All backend infrastructure defined in Terraform; deploys run through GitHub Actions using OIDC federation rather than stored credentials.
- Unit tested with pytest and moto, with tests gating every deployment.
OptionScope
FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Docker, Python, Alpaca API
Building a backend-first options analytics platform for exploring stock quotes, option expirations, option chains, and future strategy analysis.
- Implemented market-data endpoints with validation and provider integration.
- Structured the backend with FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Docker, and tests.
- Designed the project as a portfolio-grade tool rather than a one-off script.
Vulnerable Web Application Penetration Test
Kali Linux, DVWA, OWASP Juice Shop, Nmap, Nikto, Burp Suite
Built and tested a controlled security lab using intentionally vulnerable web applications to practice reconnaissance, exploitation, documentation, and remediation thinking.
- Conducted reconnaissance and exploitation using Nmap, Nikto, and Burp Suite.
- Identified SQL Injection, XSS, and Command Injection vulnerabilities.
- Documented findings, risk, and remediation steps in a structured penetration test report.
Experience
Student Technical Analyst, UNC Charlotte OneIT Service Desk
Provide multi-channel technical support by phone, email, live chat, and walk-in for faculty, staff, and students, diagnosing issues across workstations, mobile devices, software installations, and NinerNet account management.
- Manage support requests end to end in TeamDynamix (ITSM), documenting troubleshooting steps and resolutions, and escalating to professional IT staff through Slack when an issue moves past first-line resolution.
Application Development Intern, BitStack Technologies
Contributed to full-stack HRMS features in a production-style team environment, working with React interfaces, API integration, workflow logic, Git branching, pull requests, and debugging across the stack.
- Built an end-to-end leave request workflow in React and Spring Boot, supporting PNG and PDF attachments and approve/reject actions routed to the correct approver.
- Developed dashboard widgets for pending approvals, employee leave summaries, and task-card actions, backed by SQL queries served through REST APIs.
- Implemented approved-absence views filterable by date, team, and department, with role-based access separating Employee, Manager, Supervisor, HR, and Admin permissions.
- Debugged defects across the front end, API, and database layers, delivering fixes through Git branching, pull requests, rebasing, and code review in Agile sprints.
Technology Coach, YouCanTech
Coach middle and high school students through hands-on coding and robotics activities, helping them practice programming logic, debugging, problem-solving, and iterative development.
- Teach programming logic, problem-solving, and computational thinking.
- Mentor students through debugging and iterative development.
Member, 49th Security Division
Participate in a cybersecurity-focused student organization at UNC Charlotte, building exposure to security concepts, technical discussion, professional development, and hands-on learning outside the classroom.
Member, AWS Student Builder Group
Participate in a student community focused on AWS cloud technologies, engaging in hands-on workshops, technical discussions, and peer learning around cloud architecture and services.
Skills
Tools, languages, and concepts I have used through coursework, internship work, labs, and independent projects.
Languages
Java, Python, JavaScript, C, C++, HTML, CSS
Frontend
React, React Native, Expo, Tailwind CSS, Responsive Design
Backend & APIs
FastAPI, Spring Boot, REST APIs, Spotify Web API, Alpaca API
Databases & Cloud
PostgreSQL, MySQL, Docker, Docker Compose, Vercel, AWS Lambda, DynamoDB, S3, CloudFront, Route 53, API Gateway, IAM, Terraform
Developer Tools
Git, GitHub, Visual Studio Code, Xcode Simulator, GitHub Actions, AWS CLI, pytest, moto
Security Tools & Concepts
Kali Linux, Burp Suite, Nmap, Nikto, Wireshark, OWASP ZAP, OWASP Juice Shop, DVWA, Penetration Testing, Secure Software Development, IAM Policy Design, Least Privilege, OIDC Federation
Core Concepts
Object-Oriented Programming, Data Structures, Algorithms, Testing, Debugging, API Integration, Infrastructure as Code, CI/CD, Unit Testing
Contact
Interested in internships, software projects, cybersecurity, or early-career engineering conversations? I would be glad to connect.