My internship with ITA International as a Quality Intern has taught me a lot about cybersecurity,

government contracting, and honestly myself as a whole. During my first 50 hours, I have been

working on an underwater data center project and helping with quality assurance related tasks.

A lot of my work has involved reviewing abbreviations, identifying discrepancies, and making

sure information is accurate. At first I thought some of these tasks would be simple, but I quickly

realized how important attention to detail really is. One small mistake can create bigger issues

later on, especially when dealing with sensitive information and government related projects.

One thing that has stood out to me during this internship is how much I have learned about

topics such as CUI, DoD requirements, FAR regulations, SaaS, and other concepts that are

important in both cybersecurity and government contracting. Before this internship, I had heard

some of these terms before, but I never fully understood how important they were until I started

working with them. Learning about these topics has helped me think about cybersecurity from a

completely different perspective. It is not just about technology. It is also about protecting

information, following regulations, reducing risk, and making sure organizations remain secure.

One of the biggest lessons I learned during this internship is that I have to think differently now

that I am entering the cybersecurity field. Before, I would use tools and technology without

always considering the security implications behind them. During this internship I realized that I

cannot have that same mindset anymore. There was a situation where I used ChatGPT while

working on something related to a government contracting environment, and it made me realize

just how serious data protection is. Nothing sensitive was intentionally shared, but it taught me a

valuable lesson about understanding approved tools, protecting information, and making sure I

follow policies. It made me realize that cybersecurity is not just a job. It is a responsibility.

Organizations trust you to protect their information, and one mistake can put that trust at risk.

This internship has also helped me grow because it forced me to start looking at everything from

a cybersecurity standpoint. I find myself thinking about risks, security concerns, and what could

go wrong before making decisions. I have learned that cybersecurity professionals cannot afford

to overlook details. You have to think ahead and consider how your actions could impact an

organization. That mindset is something I am still developing, but I know it is going to make me

better in the long run.

When it comes down to my career goals, this internship has only confirmed that cybersecurity is

what I want to do. As I never wanted any kind of minor at all whatsoever, I wanted to shift my

entire focus toward cybersecurity and put all of my effort into becoming successful in this field.

The more I learn, the more I realize how much opportunity exists. If you genuinely sit down and

think about it, cybersecurity is always going to be needed. Technology keeps evolving every

day, and organizations will always need people who can protect systems and information.

Another reason I chose cybersecurity is because I want a career where I can constantly learn

and improve. I never wanted to be comfortable doing the same thing every day. I want to be

challenged. I want to be around people who are smarter than me because that is how I grow. If I

am surrounded by people who know more than I do, then I can learn from them and continue

improving myself. Even if I am struggling at first, I would rather struggle around successful

people and gain knowledge than be comfortable around people who are not pushing

themselves. That mindset has always motivated me. At the same time, I am not afraid to admit that financial stability is important to me. One of my

goals is to eventually have a successful cybersecurity career that allows me to earn a good

living and provide for my future family. I like the flexibility that cybersecurity can offer, especially

the possibility of remote work. If I have a family one day, I want to be able to provide for them

while still being present. That work life balance is something that motivates me, but this

internship has shown me that those opportunities come with responsibility and accountability.

One challenge I have faced during this internship is adjusting my mindset and understanding

the level of professionalism required when working in cybersecurity and government

contracting. I realized that I cannot approach situations the same way I used to. There are rules,

regulations, and security requirements that must be followed. Learning this has been

challenging at times, but it has also been one of the most valuable lessons I have learned so far.

Mistakes can happen, but what matters is learning from them and making sure they do not

happen again. Overall, my first 50 hours at ITA International have been a great learning experience. I have

learned technical concepts, gained experience working on real projects, and developed a

stronger understanding of cybersecurity and information protection. More importantly, I have

learned a lot about myself. This internship has reinforced my decision to pursue cybersecurity

as a career and has shown me that there is always room for improvement. I still have a lot to

learn and many skills to develop, but that does not discourage me. If anything, it motivates me

even more because I want to continue growing, proving myself, and becoming the best

cybersecurity professional I can be. This experience has helped me realize that success is not

about being perfect. It is about learning from mistakes, staying disciplined, and continuing to

push forward no matter what challenges come your way.