Capstone Reflection

Introduction

My experience in the Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree program at Old Dominion University Global was very valuable to my career development and allowed me to expand my knowledge in Cybersecurity through learning networking, security, and basic ethical hacking. While some of it I tend to know more than others due to continued practice, I have had an amazing experience throughout my time at ODU Online. During my time at ODU, I learned how to manage my time better between working, studying for classes, and studying for certifications. I learned how to focus better and feel more confident in my abilities when learning new materials and tools, which is a skill that is extremely valuable in the IT and cybersecurity fields.

Program Reflection:

The Cybersecurity Program helped me learn the fundamentals, as well as some of the more advanced topics, theories, and skills I need to further develop a career in cybersecurity. I value the skills I learned regarding the security side of IT and Cybersecurity that allowed me to be a step ahead when preparing for my CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certifications, allowing a deeper level of understanding of the material covered. Once I completed my certifications, some of the material I covered in college courses felt significantly easier, due to the time I spent studying. ODU helped me prepare for my certifications, and vice versa.

One of the most memorable obstacles I faced was taking a class that was very outdated, with an instructor who seemingly put minimal effort into the learning material, making most of the quizzes feel extremely different from what I learned before. This was not a common occurrence; however, over my several years with ODU Global, it was the only one class that felt like that.

Another challenge I faced was pacing myself throughout the week. Oftentimes, I felt that I needed to complete everything I had for my classes in one or two days, while leaving the rest of the week to study or take tests. At first, I would complete all of the assignments for 2 classes on Monday and the other 2 on Tuesday, then study for those classes the rest of the week. This habit impacted my ability to remember the material long term. Eventually, though, I was able to break the cycle and pace myself better, allowing my learning to grow and information to stay fresh in my brain longer.

Previous courses through dual enrollment in high school and classes at CVCC helped to act as a foundation for the Cybersecurity Program at ODU and taught me valuable foundational material, such as the basics of cybersecurity and networking during the cybersecurity program at CVCC. Not only that, but previously completed college-level classes allowed me to get used to how college classes worked and allowed me to confidently progress through my Cybersecurity Bachelor’s degree.

IDS 493 Reflection:

This course was an E-Portfolio course that was a graduation requirement, and while initially I was unsure about it, it has proven to be a very useful course, and one that is sure to help me grow and progress as I start my career in Cybersecurity. Before taking this course, my portfolio was extremely bare-bones and generic. This course taught me how to organize my E-Portfolio as strongly as possible to align with my target audience.

The organization and inclusion of artifacts were probably one of the most valuable lessons covered in this course, as it guided me through setting up my portfolio in a way that was professional, unique, and more than just a homepage. Adding in articles, images, and summaries helped me show off my knowledge with proper evidence, allowing readers to get a look into how I work, learn, and think. These are the parts of my portfolio I am most confident in. Most recently, my step-by-step breakdown of how I build a host-based firewall on a Kali Linux VM is something I am very proud of and will always point out when introducing someone to my portfolio, alongside my resume. While the project itself was not super difficult, it helped me gain skills in documentation and reflection, while providing evidence of a real-world project.

Over time, I feel that there is still a lot that can be added to my portfolio, even after I graduate. Once I graduate, I will continue to work on projects and document them in my portfolio as evidence of my continued learning and commitment to IT and cybersecurity. One of my previous courses had me start this portfolio, which allowed me to have a strong starting point when this course started. Due to both previous courses, as well as IDS 493, my E-Portfolio is in a great place, with plenty of room for improvement and growth.

Conclusion

During my coursework with ODU Global, I was required to think interdisciplinarily. Before starting here, I was unsure what it meant to have an interdisciplinary way of thinking, but it became extremely helpful when studying for courses and certifications. Most of what I learned in any given course tied back into the material of another, whether directly or indirectly, and that is exactly how it works in the real world when it comes to cybersecurity as well. Cybersecurity is way more than just firewalls and antivirus software. It is about people, networks, technology, and constant change.

After I graduate from ODU, I plan to increase my work hours and go full-time wherever I can while I continue to work on cybersecurity projects and apply for any roles I meet the qualifications for. I would love to work as a Cloud Security Analyst eventually, but entry-level jobs are hard to come by, with most requiring years of professional experience. If I need to start at a helpdesk role to get my foot in the door, I would be more than happy with that. The job market is in a rough place right now, but I will continue to work hard, apply myself, and grow in knowledge and skill until I reach my goal.