Introduction
At Old Dominion University, I have been able to make the most of my experience and accomplish all of the goals I have set for myself. As a Cybersecurity major, my coursework provided me with the necessary tools and skills to become an in-demand cybersecurity professional. Over the course of my time at ODU, I have been able to sharpen my skills in computer technology, in-depth analysis and research, and professional writing to meet the needs of employers seeking qualified candidates. Courses in cybersecurity techniques and applications, networking, and computer languages have allowed me to understand the complex nature of cybersecurity and how it is an industry that is more than just technology. I have been able to maintain a 3.8 GPA by having teachers who are always willing to help and online and in-person resources that are at my disposal. The skills that I most value from the Cybersecurity program are utilizing creative means to solve goals, working as a team to find solutions, and exercising detail orientation by performing careful research. All in all, my experience at Old Dominion University has been amazing and the opportunity that I have been granted will not be forgotten.
Program Reflection
The School of Cybersecurity within the Interdisciplinary School is a program that provides students with the courses necessary to excel in the cybersecurity workforce. The variety of classes I have had to take shows just how complex and nuanced the cybersecurity industry is. My most enjoyable classes were CYSE 270 Linux Systems Management, CYSE 301 Cybersecurity Techniques and Operations, CYSE 406 Cyber Law, and CYSE 425 Cyber Policy. These courses add to a well-rounded approach to the area of cybersecurity to ensure I am knowledgeable about computer systems, but that I am also working in a manner that upholds the law. Having professors that work in the industry also helped to provide different perspectives. For example, my instructor for CYSE 280 is a former Pentagon employee who did IT work and my CYSE 406 instructor is currently chief counsel for the FBI Norfolk office. These real-world examples showed me what I can be as long as I work hard and stay focused. Below is an example of a writing assignments from CYSE 406: Cyber Law. Professor Gulland ensured we fully understood the law and that we could create memorandum style documents for our future employment.
CYSE-406-Writing-Assignment-2CYSE 406: Cyber Law Memorandum Assignment
What I found most difficult about my program is that many courses are online only, and having an in-person instructor would have helped. But I decided to use this as an advantage by making sure I reach out to my instructors when things became difficult, as well as making sure I perform additional research on my own to gain clarity. This demonstrates how I had to be more resourceful in order to succeed in my studies. The hurdles I overcame are what turned me into the strong student I am.
The previous courses I took at Tidewater Community College helped me through my journey at ODU. Having taken previous classes in networking, security, and writing allowed for a seamless transition into the cybersecurity program. This prepared me to take on classes that required a greater degree of effort and diligence. By having a proper foundation, my time at ODU felt less intimidating than I thought it would be.
IDS 493 Reflection
IDS 493 helps students to showcase their college experience, work, and opportunities in a digital portfolio format. The course is designed to help students showcase their talents, highlight their work, and convey their experiences to an audience of their time at Old Dominion University. The most valuable portion of this course is my digital collection; this displays to viewers my skills, values, and work ethics all while highlighting my educational abilities. By utilizing design elements, we are able to express ourselves individually and create an archive of our proudest achievements.
I think what went well with my ePortfolio is how professional it appears. I did not want my site to be seen as underwhelming, nor did I want it to seem too overdone. I think I reached a good compromise with this aspect. If I could point someone to a singular point of my site, I would say I take the greatest pride in my Internship page. It provides a comprehensive look into how I was able to use the skills and knowledge I learned at ODU and apply it to jobs.
What I found most challenging about IDS 493 is trying to figure out what I should add to my site and what should be eliminated. There were a lot of great experiences and classes I took, but trying to narrow down the most impactful was difficult. I addressed this issue by considering the courses I liked the most, the courses that provided the most skills for my future, and the experiences that relate to my future goals in cybersecurity. With time, I could improve my ePortfolio by having a bit more color and design elements. I think having a bit more variety in the design elements would show more personality.
The previous classes that helped me the most with IDS 493 were English 111, English 212; these classes helped to polish my writing skills in a crucial way. Having to write professional papers in writing intensive courses like CYSE 406 and CYSE 425 also helped to by having to write very formal and professional research reports.
Conclusion
To sum it up, the cybersecurity program at ODU is an integral part to my future. It requires an interdisciplinary approach, which is highly advantageous in the field. It involves economics, politics, technology, ethics, and social aspects to analyze how technical problems spill over into other areas of society. It is important to think of cybersecurity in an interdisciplinary way because it allows for more creative and innovative solutions to complex problems affecting the world. This program has enhanced my communication skills, detail orientation, leadership, and teamwork in ways that will be utilized going forward in my career.
In May 2025, I graduate from Old Dominion University, but I will be attending graduate school for my Master’s Degree in cybersecurity at ODU as well this coming Fall 2025. My goal is to become a graduate teacher’s assistant during the program and enhance upon the skills necessary to forward my career. The experiences I will have will ensure that I am more than prepared for a successful career in cybersecurity.