During my time at Old Dominion University as an Interdisciplinary Studies major with a concentration in Cybersecurity, I have grown tremendously as both a student and a future professional. This unique program has pushed me to develop skills that go far beyond technical knowledge. Today’s cybersecurity professional needs to be more than just a technician. They must be a leader who can guide teams, a creative problem solver who can tackle emerging threats, and a lifelong learner who stays ahead of rapid technological change.

For my Electronic Portfolio, I chose to highlight three of my strongest and most marketable skills: Leadership, Problem Solving, and the Ability to Learn Quickly. These skills are deeply connected and have emerged through a combination of classroom learning, hands-on labs, industry certifications, and interdisciplinary courses that taught me how to adapt, analyze, and communicate effectively. My portfolio’s artifacts — such as my CompTIA Security+, Network+, and CySA+ certifications — represent just a few examples of how I have proven myself ready to enter the cybersecurity field with confidence.

Leadership

Leadership in cybersecurity is not just about giving instructions. It is about building trust, maintaining clear communication, and guiding teams to respond quickly when security threats arise. Strong leaders also know when to listen, learn from others, and adapt their approach when necessary. I developed as a leader through technical courses like CYSE 301, which included hands-on labs and group projects. Working with classmates to solve security challenges and analyze threat scenarios helped me gain confidence in sharing ideas, delegating tasks based on each team member’s strengths, and stepping up when problems required decisive action.

One artifact that demonstrates my leadership skill is my CompTIA Security+ certification. While a certification might not seem like a direct example of leadership, the entire process required me to take control of my learning. I set study goals, created a plan, and sought out extra resources to supplement what was covered in class. This taught me the importance of self-leadership, the ability to guide myself, hold myself accountable, and reach goals without needing someone to check on me constantly. In the workplace, this translates into being able to manage tasks or projects independently while still knowing when to seek input or feedback.

Another course that strengthened my leadership skills was IDS 300W, a writing-intensive class that required students from different majors to collaborate on projects. I learned how to communicate complex technical ideas to non-technical peers, an essential part of leading in the cybersecurity field. Often, security risks must be explained to managers, executives, or employees who do not have technical backgrounds. Being able to translate technical language into clear, understandable terms can make the difference between whether an organization’s security policies are followed or ignored.

I plan to pursue roles such as security analyst, SOC lead, or eventually cybersecurity manager. Each of these positions requires strong leadership, whether it involves guiding incident response teams, training junior colleagues, or working with other departments to promote secure practices. The foundation I have built through my coursework and self-directed goals has prepared me to step into these roles with confidence.

Problem Solving

Problem solving is truly the heart of cybersecurity. New threats appear constantly, and professionals must combine technical knowledge with creativity to keep systems secure. I strengthened my problem-solving skills throughout my degree, beginning with core courses like CYSE 200T and CYSE 201S, which introduced me to secure systems and ethical hacking. These classes laid the groundwork for analyzing vulnerabilities and developing ways to defend against attacks.

In CYSE 301, I improved my technical troubleshooting abilities through hands-on labs that simulated real-world breaches. These exercises taught me how to break complex problems into smaller pieces, test solutions, and adjust my approach when my first plan did not work. Each lab was an opportunity to practice staying calm under pressure, a skill that is vital in real cybersecurity incidents.

My CompTIA certifications also demonstrate my ability to solve problems effectively. Studying for Network+ and Security+ required me to troubleshoot network issues, identify threats, and recommend solutions that make sense in real-world environments. Preparing for the CySA+ exam was especially challenging because it tested advanced analysis skills. I had to interpret logs, assess risks, and recommend mitigation strategies — all tasks that align with what security analysts do daily in operations centers.

One course that added a unique perspective to my problem-solving skills was Cyber Philosophy. This class taught me to think about security from an ethical standpoint. Questions like how to balance privacy with protection, or how to make responsible decisions when developing security systems, forced me to look beyond technical fixes and consider human behavior, laws, and ethical boundaries. This showed me that the best solutions in cybersecurity are rarely purely technical. They must also account for people and policies.

In any job, problem solving also means staying calm when things go wrong. Whether a system goes down or an attack happens, cybersecurity professionals must think clearly under pressure and work together to fix the problem. My experiences have taught me not to see problems as setbacks but as opportunities to learn and strengthen my abilities.

Ability to Learn Quickly

Cybersecurity is an ever-changing field. New technologies, threats, and compliance rules appear overnight. A professional’s ability to learn quickly and adapt to these changes is crucial. I have demonstrated this ability throughout my coursework and certifications.

In CYSE 301, I had to master new tools and techniques on my own. Labs often required me to configure firewalls, parse logs, or use vulnerability scanners I had never seen before. Researching unfamiliar topics, testing what I learned, and applying it right away showed me how to learn independently — a skill that will be valuable on the job.

Earning multiple CompTIA certifications further proves my ability to learn fast. Preparing for Network+, Security+, and CySA+ meant covering a wide range of topics, from basic networking concepts to advanced threat detection. Many subjects were not covered fully in class, so I used online labs, practice tests, and forums to teach myself. This process showed me how to take charge of my own learning and fill in knowledge gaps efficiently.

Courses like IDS 300W also helped me become a faster learner. Working with students from other disciplines pushed me to understand unfamiliar ideas and find connections between them. This kind of flexible thinking is important in cybersecurity because it allows professionals to solve problems creatively and adapt to new situations.

I am proud that my Electronic Portfolio demonstrates this skill. By highlighting real evidence of my work, certifications, and reflections, I can show employers that I am ready to master new frameworks, adopt cutting-edge tools, and stay ahead of industry changes. The habit of learning independently and quickly will help me stay competitive in a field that never stands still.

Conclusion

Looking back, I see how my degree has shaped me into an interdisciplinary thinker who is prepared for the demands of a cybersecurity career. Courses like CYSE 301, CYSE 201S, and Cyber Philosophy, along with the training in IDS 300W, have given me a solid technical foundation, critical thinking abilities, and the adaptability needed to succeed.

I have learned that cybersecurity is not just about technology. It is also about people, ethics, laws, and communication. Understanding where these areas overlap allows me to develop solutions that address both technical and human aspects. It also helps me communicate security risks and strategies clearly to different audiences.

As I move forward in my career, I want to continue building my leadership abilities, solving complex problems, and staying flexible enough to learn quickly as new threats emerge. My Electronic Portfolio is more than just a showcase of my work. It is proof of my growth as a student, a cybersecurity professional, and an interdisciplinary problem solver ready to tackle the challenges of today’s digital world.