A Passion for National Defense: Kevin Linko ’23

This article is part of The Next Step series. While the four years at VMI are designed for cadets to push themselves academically, physically, and mentally to tackle the demands of life at a premiere military college, they also prepare cadets for life after graduation. Whether that life be one in the military or one in the private sector, VMI faculty and staff provide guidance to cadets along their journeys. One department specifically dedicated to that endeavor of post-Institute success is the Office of Career Services. In The Next Step series, we sat down with cadets preparing to enter the workforce after graduation, as well as those still in the midst of their cadetship preparing for internships over the summer. 

Kevin Linko ’23, a physics major from Princeton, New Jersey, minored in mathematics and astronomy. Soon he will begin his professional career with CACI, a company that provides expertise and technology to customers in support of national security missions and government transformation.

Linko was drawn to this industry through his passions for learning about technology and contributing to national defense. He will begin as an entry-level simulation and test engineer. The primary focus of this position is the development of radar threat simulations that will be used during Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) software testing and validation. Tasks include radar signal parameter analysis/interpretation, test plan development and execution, test analysis and reporting, quality assurance, software design, and development for applications.

The support of Career Services and the structure and reputation of the Institute were vital in helping Linko prepare for and apply to this position.

“They [Career Services] were very helpful. I used their conference room for interviews and worked with Major Blake to prepare for frequently asked questions as well as debriefing after the interview and talking about what went well and things to work on for next time.”

Linko credits VMI having “prepared me for this career path because while here, my academic program has taught me all the hard skills needed to be able to do my job, while the VMI experience helped me learn all of the soft skills that I will need in order to be successful.”

Hoping to see himself in ten years contributing to the success of an organization and continuing to increase his skills and education, Linko believes that having VMI on his resume will continue to give him a competitive edge, as the school’s reputation and its structure provided during the interview process for his position at CACI.

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