For me, being a little older than the typical college student and being a journeyman of sorts, I have always had a natural knack for computers and technology, but also had a strong interest in medicine/biological sciences, so I decided to go the latter route out of high school. After earning my biology degrees and not utilizing them to their maximum potential, I decided to join the military in 2015.

During my seven years on active duty and now as a reservist, I have been indoctrinated with years of power points regarding Operation Security (OPSEC), Information Security (InfoSec), Cybersecurity, their respective importance, how to implement them in your daily practices, making sure you are not leaving yourself vulnerable to putting the government at risk, and if you see signs that someone else is, say something. At the time of ending my active duty time in service, I was not considering cybersecurity, but I was looking into Information Technology (IT) as a career change based on my love of computers and technology. After talking to some other mentors and civilian counterparts that work in the IT department, it was a friend from high school that works in cybersecurity down in North Carolina that convinced me to take the cybersecurity route. After looking at the many available opportunities, not only in the field itself, but in this area alone, in addition to how lucrative it can be compared to my enlisted medical military training, I was convinced that this is the path for me.

So far, I am excited in just the first week of class of the potential opportunities this field has to offer in not only cybersecurity, but can utilize my biological and army medical background if I so choose. With more of our data and resources being accessible through technology and controlled by forces outside of our own hands, it presents a possible vulnerability for us and an opportunity for those that choose to exploit those vulnerabilities. I am interested in cybersecurity to learn and be educated on how to defend effectively against these vulnerabilities so that I can bring more awareness not only to myself, but to my family, friends, and anyone that may potentially benefit from my obtained knowledge and services.