Introduction

            I ask myself often, “Why cybersecurity?” when I have a moment to reflect on where my career stands. My name is Alexander Berrios, and I wasn’t a technologically gifted child. I had little to no exposure or interest in computer science growing up, and in the beginning years of my career, cybersecurity was nowhere near the forefront of my mind. I was chasing a completely different dream: medical school and the prestigious accomplishment of becoming a medical doctor. This felt like the obvious path, partially due to a mild case of parental brainwashing, but also because throughout my life and deep within my core, I’ve always felt an intense drive to protect others.

Figuring out how to channel that instinct wasn’t an easy process. I’d liken my soul-searching experience to my experience of clothes shopping as an overweight child; every avenue I explored felt like a pair of skinny jeans I so desperately wanted to fit into, despite being well aware of just how uncomfortable I was in them. Many of my roles promised the fulfillment I was chasing, and some offered more than others, but each attempt felt misaligned. However, after years of trial and error, I’ve found my place in the cybersecurity field, marking the beginning of the fulfilling career that finally fits.

Finding my Stride

My academic journey took shape in high school when I was accepted into the dual enrollment program as a junior. Attending Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) gave me the chance to step outside of a high school and into an environment where I was expected to think and act with independence.

Out of all the courses I took at FSW, Model United Nations stood out the most. This course introduced me to global diplomacy, policy negotiation, and problem-solving on an international level. This led me to Boston, Massachusetts, for the 2018 Harvard Model United Nations Conference, where I represented the nation of New Zealand within the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural committee. Being in the same space as students from around the world was both humbling and inspiring. I realized I thrived in spaces where collaboration, structure, and strategy came together. Unknowingly, these qualities would later echo in my career in cybersecurity.

Medicine still lingered in my mind, but Model UN introduced me to the importance of systems, whether political, social, or technological, that safeguard and connect people.

Serving in the U.S. Navy

After high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Operations Specialist (OS). I eventually became a Tactical Information Coordinator onboard the USS Bunker Hill stationed in San Diego, California. This role placed me in the middle of operations during three West Pacific deployments.

This was the first environment I was exposed to technical systems. I worked closely with Information Technicians (ITs) and electronic technicians (ETs), whose work directly supported the maintenance and troubleshooting of the equipment I operated and maintained during my time onboard. Though I was not “officially” part of their department, I found myself working alongside them often in an attempt to gain a deeper understanding of our system and their roles. My role as an OS required attention to detail, rapid information processing, and clear communication skills, which paralleled much of the technical work I observed.

The sense of purpose I felt during my time onboard was undeniable. Knowing that my work contributed to protecting my nation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, gave me pride and a better sense of direction. While the Navy gave me invaluable knowledge and experiences, I knew from the beginning that my time here was going to be more transitional. Still, the seeds of interest in technology and systems had been planted.

Transitioning to Civilian Life

After being honorably discharged, I returned to Florida with a broad sense about what I wanted to pursue next. I was spread thin between helping raise my nephews, driving for Uber, and applying for jobs through every medium I had. I worked on obtaining a state security license so I could transition to work in the security industry while also studying for the CompTIA+ certification through Google’s Coursera program.

I’ll admit that at the time, despite having a general sense of the direction I wanted my career to move, I felt like I was throwing things at a wall and seeing what would stick. Much of my transition was cloudy and confusing, but I set goals in between my job hunt and maintained focus. I had the discipline to learn, and I was determined to make something happen with the tools at my disposal.

Professional Growth in Virginia

Eventually, I secured a contracting position in Hampton, Virginia, supporting the development of Link 16 networks on Langley Air Force Base. Link 16, a data link used to exchange real-time tactical information, was far more complex than I previously understood, and supporting its development exposed me to its various applications, interoperability, and network architecture.

This position expanded my technical foundation and solidified my passion for technological design and enabling secure information flow. Even though I wasn’t considered a “cybersecurity professional,” the overlap was undeniable. I was working in an environment where the pillars were data integrity, system reliability, and secure communications. These are the cornerstones of cybersecurity.

After I got established in my new role, I reflected on my long-term goals and realized that while contracting gave me valuable skills and a secure job, I wanted to build a formal educational foundation to pair with my practical experience.

Choosing Cybersecurity at ODU

Old Dominion University (ODU) immediately stood out due to its revamped Cybersecurity program. ODU’s undergraduate program offered an introductory technical curriculum with real-world application through it’s internship requirement, setting anyone up for success. It aligned perfectly with the skills I had already developed and continued to gather in my current position. Enrolling at ODU represented a full commitment to a career path I had finally solidified. Unlike my earlier attempts, cybersecurity fit perfectly with both my experiences and my values.

Cybersecurity at its core is about protection: protecting individuals, organizations, and nations from digital threats that grow more complicated each year. Upon reflection, it looks as if I had been preparing for this my entire career. From emulating United Nations operations in a humanitarian committee to protecting the homeland as a sailor and Department of Defense (DoD) contractor, the theme of safeguarding others has always guided me. Now, cybersecurity allows me to do so in a way that connects my interests in systems, technology, and strategy.

Conclusion

I began my journey with dreams of medicine and global diplomacy, committed to military service, transitioned to a confused civilian, and supported the government as a contracted Link 16 Network Designer. Each chapter offered me valuable lessons, even when the fit was imperfect.

Today, as I pursue my degree in cybersecurity at Old Dominion University, I see how every stage has prepared me for this field. The discipline and teamwork from my dual enrollment experience, the technical exposure of the Navy, and my contracting experience have all combined in my current studies.

I no longer feel like I’m trying to squeeze into skinny jeans now that I’m finally building a career that is both comfortable and purposeful. Sometimes I need to remind myself that cybersecurity isn’t just a profession I stumbled into; it’s an extension of my lifelong instinct to protect others, molded by the experiences and challenges that brought me here.