Outside of my coursework at Old Dominion University, I have continued developing my cybersecurity and information technology skills through hands-on projects and independent learning. Two of the main ways I have done this are through my personal homelab and TryHackMe.

I built and maintain a Proxmox-based homelab that allows me to experiment with virtualization, Linux, networking, and server administration. I have configured virtual machines, containers, network settings, DNS services, and remote access tools. Working with my homelab has required a lot of troubleshooting because configurations do not always work correctly the first time. When problems occur, I have to research the issue, test different solutions, and determine what changes are necessary. This experience has helped me become more comfortable solving technical problems independently and has given me practical experience beyond what I learn in the classroom.

I also use TryHackMe to continue developing my cybersecurity skills. The platform gives me hands-on experience with security concepts, tools, vulnerabilities, and different methods used to protect or test computer systems. Completing these activities has helped strengthen my problem-solving and analytical skills while allowing me to explore areas of cybersecurity that interest me.

These experiences have helped me connect what I learn at ODU with practical applications. They have also taught me the importance of patience, research, troubleshooting, and continuous learning in cybersecurity. In the future, I will be able to draw on these experiences when working in cybersecurity or IT because I have already practiced learning unfamiliar technologies, diagnosing problems, and finding solutions on my own.