Building My Cybersecurity Experience

My development as a cybersecurity student has come from more than just my coursework. Three experiences that have had the biggest impact on me are my involvement in the Old Dominion University Student SOC, my leadership in ODU AFCEA, and building computers for clients. Each experience has helped me develop a different part of my professional skill set, from technical problem solving to leadership and communication.

Student SOC

Joining the ODU Student Security Operations Center has given me the opportunity to apply what I have learned in my cybersecurity courses in a more hands-on environment. Through the program, I have been exposed to security operations tools and processes, including technologies such as CrowdStrike, QRadar, and PagerDuty.

One of the most valuable parts of this experience has been learning that cybersecurity requires more than simply knowing technical concepts. Working in a SOC environment requires attention to detail, critical thinking, and the ability to understand information in context. This experience has helped me become more comfortable working with cybersecurity tools and has given me a better understanding of what security operations can look like in a professional environment.

AFCEA Leadership

My involvement with AFCEA at Old Dominion University has helped me develop my leadership and communication skills. I joined AFCEA during my freshman year and eventually became involved in leading the ODU chapter. As a leader, I have worked with students, faculty, and cybersecurity professionals to promote events, communicate opportunities, and encourage student involvement.

This experience has taught me that leadership is not simply about having a title. It involves taking initiative, communicating clearly, listening to others, and being willing to take responsibility when something needs to be done. Working with different groups of people has also made me more comfortable communicating with both students and professionals. These skills will be important in my future cybersecurity career, where technical knowledge needs to be combined with teamwork and communication.

PC Building

Building computers for clients has been one of my most practical technical experiences. I have built systems based on individual needs and budgets, which requires me to consider component compatibility, performance, and the purpose of each system. I enjoy the hands-on aspect of building computers because it allows me to troubleshoot problems and see how different hardware components work together.

An important part of this experience has also been explaining the building process to clients. I have had to explain hardware choices and technical concepts in a way that makes sense to someone who may not have the same technical background. This has improved my ability to communicate complex information clearly and has shown me that technical skills are most useful when you can also explain your decisions to others.

What These Experiences Have Taught Me

Together, these experiences have helped me understand that cybersecurity requires a combination of technical and interpersonal skills. The Student SOC has helped me develop practical cybersecurity experience, AFCEA has strengthened my leadership and communication abilities, and PC building has allowed me to apply technical problem-solving while working directly with clients.

These experiences have also helped me become more confident in my abilities. I am still developing my technical knowledge and exploring which area of cybersecurity I want to pursue, but I now have a better understanding of the skills I want to continue building. My goal is to carry these experiences into future internships and professional opportunities as I continue working toward a career in cybersecurity.