Since my first year here at Old Dominion University in fall of 2022, I have learned many things. I have learned how to operate Kali Linux, lmore about networks, and just how to protect systems. I would say that my mindset has grown and matured a lot. I still have a lot to learn and improve on, but college was a great start for me. This class is also the right step towards helping me find employment in my field. This gives the people who are hiring all the proper information of mine to look at in the hiring process. This all connects to my future career as it will ultimately help me start my career in this field.

I have experience with operating Kali Linux when it comes to the Cybersecurity field. During my junior year at Old Dominion University, I took a course here that required me to operate on Kali Linux to complete my assignments weekly. This really improved my problem solving skills, confidence with operating systems, and even my teamwork skills.

I would just say having classes where you had to actually use an operating system was the most beneficial thing for me. I firmly believe that practice makes perfect. I have experienced many obstacles as in just learning what cybersecurity really is and what it does. Even though I have been learning about it for roughly 4 years now, it took me longer than normal to really grasp it. I still am not perfect, but I am willing to learn each and everyday to be the best version of myself in this field. 

I would say the best way to describe this couse is something to get you ready for the real world. I personally feel that this course is the perfect way to get you ready for the employment process. With having to make a portfolio, this organizes your experiences and skills. This course has taught me just how to be prepared and really how to be organized. I am proud of myself for figuring out how to create and add to the portfolio as it was difficult for me early on. I ultimately got better in this course with more practice and just trying different things on the website.

My experience at Old Dominion University has helped me grow both academically and personally as a Cybersecurity major. Through different courses, I have learned how important it is to combine skills from multiple areas such as networking, operating systems, and security practices to fully understand how to protect systems. These interdisciplinary connections have allowed me to see how everything in cybersecurity works together in real-world situations. Classes that involved hands-on experience, like working with Kali Linux, played a big role in building my confidence and technical abilities. Going forward, I plan to continue improving my skills, gain more real-world experience, and pursue opportunities like entry-level positions in cybersecurity. I also plan to work toward earning certifications to strengthen my knowledge and make myself more competitive in the job market.