Welcome to my cybersecurity ePortfolio. My name is Dalton Lewis II, and I am a cybersecurity student focused on defense, monitoring, and detection. Throughout my academic journey, professional experiences, and internships, I have been steadily building the technical and analytical skills needed to work on a Security Operations Center (SOC) team. This portfolio brings together the assignments, projects, and reflections that represent my growth, my learning process, and the direction of my career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each section of this ePortfolio highlights the skills I\u2019ve developed through interdisciplinary coursework, hands-on labs, and real-world experience. The artifacts included here show how I apply problem-solving, defensive cybersecurity techniques, and effective communication across different environments. My Personal Narrative Essay below introduces the major turning points that shaped my path into cybersecurity and explains how my background, challenges, and experiences prepared me for SOC work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thank you for taking the time to explore my portfolio. I hope it provides a clear picture of my abilities, my growth, and my commitment to a future career in cybersecurity defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abstract<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This narrative explores the academic, professional, and personal experiences that shaped my identity and led me to pursue a career in cybersecurity. Drawing on elements of narrative identity described by Nguyen (2019), McAdams (1993), and Smith (2011), I reflect on the moments that influenced my sense of purpose and direction, from a distracted high school student who discovered cybersecurity through a teacher, to my work overseas coaching youth, to my academic journey at the University of Maryland and Old Dominion University, to my internship with MESAA, and finally my developing career with the Defense Logistics Agency. These experiences helped clarify what motivates me, what challenges taught me, and how my future goals align with the person I am becoming. Ultimately, this narrative demonstrates how each chapter of my life contributed to my professional path and shaped my commitment to serve in the Air Force and work in cybersecurity operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Personal Narrative Essay<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nguyen (2019) explains that narrative identity is built from the stories we tell about ourselves and stories that explain how our past experiences shape our present and guide our future. For most of my life, I understood that I enjoyed technology, but I never had a clear picture of where that passion could take me. It took time, work experiences, academic growth, and small but meaningful turning points to help me see myself as someone who could belong in cybersecurity. As McAdams (1993) suggests, identity forms when we link our life events into a meaningful sequence. Looking back now, I see how each stage in my academic and career journey helped me understand the type of person I want to become and the impact I want to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Early Interest in Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My interest in computers started long before I knew cybersecurity existed. As a child, I felt genuine excitement when I took apart computers just to see how they worked. I wasn\u2019t trying to fix anything; I simply wanted to understand the pieces inside and how they connected. My father encouraged me and made space for me to explore computers, but I was mostly self-taught. Smith (2011) explains that early influences in our personal narratives often set the foundation for future choices, even if we don\u2019t realize it at the time. In my case, that curiosity became a core part of who I am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n High School: Distracted but Curious<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In high school, my mindset could best be described as distracted. I knew what I liked, but I didn\u2019t yet know where it fit into my future. Everything changed because of one teacher, Mr. Crist. He introduced me to CyberStart and TryHackMe challenges, which let students learn cybersecurity through hands-on puzzles and hacking simulations. I remember the moment clearly: I was sitting in his classroom, clicking through the challenges, and something finally clicked in me. I felt motivated, challenged, and excited all at the same time. For the first time, cybersecurity didn\u2019t feel distant or unrealistic, but it felt like something I could actually do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Academic Path: University of Maryland<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n After high school, I earned my associate degree in Computer Studies from the University of Maryland. I chose this program because I originally wanted to do more hands-on, technical work. One of the first courses that made me feel confident was Intro to the Windows Operating System. I remember being in my bedroom late at night, sitting in front of a bright computer screen filled with lines of windows shell. The room was dark, and the light from the screen made everything else seem invisible. I felt frustrated and tired, but also determined. Completing that assignment gave me confidence that I could overcome challenges in computing if I stayed persistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continuing My Education: Old Dominion University<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I chose Old Dominion University for my bachelor\u2019s degree in Cybersecurity because it offered the path that made the most sense for my academic and career goals. One course that influenced me heavily was Cyber Techniques and Operations. This course confirmed that the operational side of cybersecurity, especially SOC work, is where I want to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Internship Experience: MESAA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My internship with MESAA was one of the most challenging and educational parts of my journey. My main responsibility was creating cybersecurity learning materials for high school students. One of the biggest challenges I faced was time management, especially while balancing coursework and ensuring the material was detailed enough for beginners. Although curriculum design didn\u2019t excite me the same way cybersecurity operations do, I was proud that I was trusted to create real curriculum material on my own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Work Experience: Leading Youth Overseas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before MESAA, I worked for the Child and Youth Program on the NSA Bahrain Base as a youth sports coach. Coaching overseas shaped me in profound ways. It strengthened my communication, patience, and leadership. It taught me responsibility and gave me confidence in guiding young athletes. I associate this period with growth, excitement, and maturity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professional Growth: Defense Logistics Agency<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My most recent work with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) helped me feel like my career path was finally coming together. At DLA, I supported operational tasks and worked closely with supervisors to understand logistics, data, and security. There were moments when everything clicked and moments when I felt trusted, capable, and aligned with a meaningful mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Identity, Motivation, and Future Goals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reflecting on my story through narrative identity theory helps me understand how each chapter shaped my identity. Nguyen (2019) states that identity is formed through meaning-making, and each stage of my life , from childhood curiosity, high school discovery, academic progress, overseas leadership, MESAA challenges, and federal work, helped clarify my goals. I would describe myself as calm, funny, and curious. I am motivated by financial security and driven by creativity. My goal is to work in a Security Operations Center (SOC) and eventually serve as a cyber officer in the United States Air Force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking back, every part of my journey contributed to who I am today. Each experience shaped my narrative identity. As Smith (2011) explains, our stories provide the framework for understanding our choices and our future. Cybersecurity is not just a major for me. it is the field where my interests, skills, and values come together. I carry each chapter of my story as I move closer to the professional I want to become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Welcome to my cybersecurity ePortfolio. My name is Dalton Lewis II, and I am a cybersecurity student focused on defense, monitoring, and detection. 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