Cybersecurity Internship
As an intern at Eagle Hill Consulting, my primary duties included supporting the network operations team, assisting with network performance monitoring, and troubleshooting, and managing network peering relationships with other networks. I was also involved in researching emerging cybersecurity threats and assisting with vulnerability assessments of client networks.
During the first few days of my internship, I was allocated two primary roles helping employees with troubleshooting services. First, I was required to compile issues that needed attention to resolve. Secondly, I was to help employees to resolve minor issues such as password resetting. I was obligated with dealing basic customer inquiries.
As a IT intern, my primary responsibilities included designing, implementing, and maintaining high-performance networks interconnected with other networks for efficient data transfer. This also includes helping employee connect with the IT department in the company. Thus, I anticipate that this internship will help me understand how networks are structured and linked and how to optimize network performances and increase client satisfaction.
Secondly, I hope this internship will help me better understand cybersecurity and its application in real life. And to learn about the latest types of cybercrimes, security threats, vulnerabilities, and best ways to prevent cyberattacks.
Finally, I trust that through this opportunity, I can work on improving my communication skills and customer relations. I understand that good communication skills are important in any business. I have worked on complex problems requiring creative problem-solving skills, such as optimizing network performance or resolving security vulnerabilities.
Overall, my three learning outcomes are interconnected and reflect the breadth of skills and knowledge required to be successful in an IT intern role. By achieving these outcomes, I would gain valuable experience and skills to prepare you for future roles in network engineering, cybersecurity, or helpdesk.
Applying Course Knowledge
The Old Dominion University (ODU) curriculum has been useful in preparing me for the internship. I gained knowledge in various cybersecurity domains through the coursework, including network security, ethical hacking, and security and client management. The courses provided me with a solid foundation in the concepts and principles of cybersecurity, which was invaluable during the internship.
I was able to apply my knowledge and skills from the coursework into my internship program. I realized that most of the tasks assigned to me by my seniors and the challenges I faced related to the curriculum. For instance, the network topology, protocols, and routing concepts I learned in school helped me understand the network infrastructure at Eagle Hill Consulting. Additionally, the skills I gained in ethical hacking and penetration testing were crucial in identifying potential vulnerabilities and threats in the network.
Skill Development
The most challenging aspect of the internship was managing the high volume of tasks and responsibilities that came with being an IT consultant. The work was fast-paced and required quick thinking and problem-solving skills to resolve issues efficiently. Additionally, managing and coordinating with different teams and employees required practical communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively. However, these challenges also provided an opportunity for personal and professional growth, as I was able to develop my skills in these areas and learn from experienced colleagues
Personal Development
I was later assigned the role of maintaining the company’s reputation. In doing this, I was expected to address employees’ dissatisfaction, complaints, and other related concerns. Another role I played during this phase of my internship was providing product information. I would let employees know the type of services they expect to receive. It is not all problems that the company can solve, as some may require technical assistance from the manufacturer. As my supervisor felt impressed by my work, he recommended me for more complex tasks.