Narrative Essay
After I separated from the US Navy in August 2022, I enrolled in my first college semester after being out of school for over five years. Just a few months before starting classes at Old Dominion University, I was on deployment overseas in the U.S. Navy as an Operations Specialist. The Navy played a huge role in molding me into the person I am today, as it forced me to grow up and learn to take care of myself, greatly improved my work ethic, and taught me valuable skills like time management, discipline, and how to succeed under pressure. I spent countless hours underway on watch dealing with encrypted communications, handling sensitive information, assisting with navigation, and training and supervising watch teams, which are experiences that piqued my interest in the world of security and returning to the military as a commissioned officer with a designation in the field.
Academic Challenges
Starting college after military service was certainly the hardest academic challenge I’ve faced. I hadn’t taken a test or written an essay in years and was never an exceptional academic student in high school. I had to relearn how to study, factor polynomials, write essays, focus in a classroom setting, and manage my time effectively. However, I was highly motivated to succeed and obtain a bachelor’s degree. I would often remind myself that completing college was my best and only option, as I was 23 years old with no experience outside of my niche Navy job and had no formal education. At times, I felt like I pinned my back against a wall with college, but it’s what has gotten me to this point. I spent hours studying, preparing for exams, and understanding concepts that once seemed foreign. My first semester at ODU helped set the tone and build the discipline needed to succeed at college.
A Newfound Interest
As I began to complete my degree, I discovered a passion for networking. It started in CYSE 250, a foundational course where we learned concepts of how internet devices communicate with each other, and how internet traffic moves through networks. It started as a required core class for my degree but quickly became a newfound interest. I found myself fascinated by how networks operate, how they are vulnerable, and how they can be protected. My background in various forms of communication from the Navy gave me a head start on some of the basics of networks and communication, but it was my hands-on courses that transformed my interest into something practical. When I took CYSE 301, which was Cybersecurity Techniques and Operations, I was able to conduct many practical labs, from firewall configuration to internet traffic analysis. While learning networking theory was exciting to me, conducting hands-on exercises took it to another level. To continue learning these concepts, I began studying for industry certifications, and I successfully obtained the CompTIA Security+, which covers a broad overview of many cybersecurity concepts and areas of concentration. Studying for this exam and completing various classes also helped me realize how broad the cybersecurity field truly is. Not everything in the field is purely technical, other subfields also pertain to keeping businesses and data secure.
COVA CCI Internship
After finishing the Spring 2024 semester, I was beginning to get concerned with the fact that I had not obtained an internship. The cybersecurity job market is extremely competitive, especially for entry-level roles and internships, and I needed to obtain one to graduate. I applied to dozens and was finally selected for a cybersecurity internship through the Commonwealth Virginia Cyber Initiative at ODU. The internship involved acting as a cybersecurity consultant for a small local accounting firm. My team and I conducted a detailed risk assessment using the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF). The NIST CSF is an established set of structured guidelines that help businesses of all sizes manage assets and identify and mitigate any identified security risks. I collaborated closely with two other students and Valor Cybersecurity CEO and ODU alumni Greg Tomchick. Valor Cybersecurity is a local Cyber Consulting company located in Norfolk Virginia that helps businesses and government contractors establish and maintain compliance and protection (Valor, 2025).
This experience was exciting and rewarding. Working hands-on with a local business allowed me to further apply my learning to real-world applications, something I had longed to do. Together, my team evaluated the applications they used to conduct business and handle client data, reviewed how the owner deals with employee access, gauged their prior knowledge of cybersecurity threats, conducted training, and identified risks related to remote work from personal devices. I also learned to communicate technical concepts to people who aren’t as tech-savvy and improved my ability to present findings. Though we were not allowed to get hands-on with the business’s equipment or infrastructure, I am confident that our assessment has led our client in the right direction toward securing their business. Completing this internship also helped me form an appreciation for the field of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC). While I had always imagined myself in a purely technical role, this experience sparked an unexpected interest in the policy and risk side of cybersecurity.
Nguyen (2013) wrote about how reflecting on experiences, especially through the lens of portfolio work can help students recognize strengths and new possibilities. I went into the internship thinking I only had an interest in networking, and technical security roles. When I finished, I became interested in GRC and helping businesses mitigate risks and maintain compliance. I also realized my solid interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and writing skills made me a decent applicant for this area of cyber.
Redemptive Narrative
When considering how to describe my story, I feel that redemptive would be the best term to use. As Smith (2017) described, redemption stories show someone transforming struggle and doubt into success. When I first left the Navy and decided to enroll in college, I had a plan but was unsure if I would be able to follow through with it. I didn’t know whether I could succeed in college after so much time away from academics. I had doubts about whether my Navy skills would be relevant, and whether I could keep up with the pacing of college classes. But I stayed persistent, and I believe it has paid off. I reminded myself that I had handled more stressful situations in the Navy than any exam or essay could throw at me. Looking back, I can see how certain events led naturally to others, which is a concept McAdams (2001) calls causal coherence. My Navy experience led me to my interest in pursuing a degree in cybersecurity. My classes introduced me to networking, and security principles, and helped me build foundational technical skills. My internship opened the door to other areas of cybersecurity I hadn’t previously thought about.
Though I got out of the Navy after only five years, I do not intend for it to be the end of my naval career. After graduating in May 2025, though I am keeping all opportunities open, I hope to commission as a Navy officer in the Information Professional (IP) community. The IP community focuses on networking, secure communications, and information systems, which are all areas where I am passionate and have foundational knowledge. The transition I’ve experienced from enlisted to college student to future officer is a long one, but I am fully confident that each experience will mold me into an excellent naval officer or future cyber professional if the military doesn’t work out. By reflecting on my past, I can see how every challenge I faced contributed to the person I am today and will be tomorrow.