Personal Narrative
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I first came to Old Dominion University with a general interest in technology. Despite
my interest, I started my first two years of college as an Economics Major. It wasn’t until I began
to engage with students in the computer science and engineering fields that I realized I wanted to
get involved in S.T.E.M. With careful consideration, I was determined to complete the rest of my
education, striving for a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity. This essay will trace the journey
that shaped my identity as someone who is committed to protecting digital infrastructure. It will
also explore how my commitment is significant to my academic and professional goals.
I had an early fascination with technology and computers during my childhood,
especially with computer software, which stemmed from a love of online games. As I grew up
playing these games on various devices, I became skilled in troubleshooting my own technical
issues. This earned me a reputation as the family’s ‘tech expert’ in my father’s eyes. My interest
followed me throughout my academic experience in high school. I introduced myself to the
language of programming with JavaScript by taking available coding courses in school. As
thrilled as I was to be taking the class, I ultimately struggled with the material. Despite
my stumble, I did gain valuable learning experience and grew enough understanding to build a
strong cybersecurity foundation before I had the language to articulate it.
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Cybersecurity was not my initial subject of study when I first entered Old Dominion
University. I had entered ODU starting with economics due to my passions for politics and
financial systems. Over time, I had come to expect that it wasn’t something I wanted to build a
career with. It wasn’t until my second year that I decided to switch majors to something more
technology-related. It was not an easy settlement, and the transition was challenging. In time, I grew to accept that my connection with machinery and software was much stronger than my
interest in economics. This led me to ultimately switch my major to Cybersecurity.
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The cyber program at ODU is exceptional. There is an emphasis on applied learning,
which benefited me in gaining hands-on experiences with virtual machines, programming, and
networking. I’ve developed a plethora of transferable skills in the classroom and labs where I
was free to explore the complex nature of computer hardware. Additionally, I was exposed to the
ethical implications of the study of cybersecurity, which resonated with me deeply. I now not
only have an appreciation of the technical aspects of digital security, but I have also grown to
understand the act of safeguarding the vulnerable from malicious attackers on the internet. I
realized that cybersecurity was not just a better academic fit, but a true reflection of my interests
and values. Switching to cybersecurity proved to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The
coursework became engaging, and I even grew a better understanding of programming throughout my experience. It also helped me discover a career path that felt more purposeful based on my values.
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One of many challenges for me was searching for an Internship to expand my experience
outside of the classroom. It was extremely important to me that I found an organization that would
provide me with an extensive education in both a technological sense as well as a professional
sense. After many applications and interviews, I was fortunate to have been accepted as an Intern
at ODU’s Information Technology Help Desk. I was to provide technical assistance for faculty, staff, and students at ODU. My everyday task included resetting passwords and troubleshooting network, software, or hardware-related issues. On occasion, the ODU community will be hit with phishing attacks and account compromise incidents. My team and I typically collaborated in handling client concerns, account recoveries, and isolations. My introduction to the Help Desk was far from typical. Old Dominion was in the middle of a significant merger with the Eastern Virginia Medical School during my first few weeks of working the Help Desk. On top of learning how to better assist my client’s issues, I was also actively assisting in the migration process. I not only had to master the complexities of ODU’s internal systems, but I had to familiarize myself with EVMS’s as well. During this process, I had to educate myself more on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) upon merging with a medical school. There was so much I learned from my experience at the Help Desk. I observed how human error and defiance of regulations can cause security breaches for actions as simple as not changing your password or falling for phishing scams. However, this helped me realize how ethical and safety awareness are important contributions to cybersecurity. I was able to adapt to the fast-paced environment at the Help Desk at ODU. After a year as a student technician, I was rewarded with the title of lead technician among my colleagues.
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Studying at Old Dominion’s cyber program and working at its IT Help Desk provided
me with insights that motivated me to expand my education. I continued to take courses relating to
ethical hacking and digital forensics, which challenged my computer science skills and my
understanding of legal frameworks. There were a lot of interdisciplinary insights and discussions
that broaden my perspective on data ethics and the social implications of cybercrime. These discussions changed my view as a professional and allowed me to hold myself as someone who is an ethical decision maker, not just a ‘tech expert.’ Reflecting on my journey, I recognize the impact of both technical training and ethical awareness on my identity and my education. To further enhance my capabilities, I am continuing to explore more programming languages such as Python, SQL, and Java. My personal goal is to develop a proficiency in Python to better my skills in automation and data analytics. My aspiration for the skills to open doors for me in the data analysis field. Long term, I hope to contribute to an effective cause that is educating people on cybersecurity threats and public awareness.
My decision to study cybersecurity at Old Dominion University was not immediate or easy. However, through my experience of interactive learning and being allowed to explore my curiosities, I do not regret my choice. My exposure to high-level technological systems, practices of disassembling old laptops, and working as a student technician has shaped me into someone capable of safeguarding digital systems. While I had doubts about my potential before joining the cyber program at ODU, those uncertainties have been replaced with confidence.
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