Introduction
My experience with Old Dominion University’s Cybersecurity program has been challenging but very rewarding. Through all the courses I have taken during my time at ODU, I have developed stronger technical knowledge, sharper critical thinking skills, and a more in-depth understanding of how cybersecurity interacts with both individuals and organizations.
The skills and knowledge I value most from the cybersecurity program include technical knowledge, problem-solving, cyber law and policy, and security analysis. I improved my technical knowledge and problem-solving through classes like Basic Cyber Programming and Networks and Cybersecurity Techniques and Operations. In courses such as Cyber Law and Cybersecurity Ethics, I was able to improve my cyber law and policy and security analysis knowledge and skills.
Program Reflection
One of the most valuable and rewarding learning experiences I had at ODU involved hands-on projects and exercises with programs like Python and Linux. These types of assignments helped me improve my critical thinking and problem-solving skills by applying concepts to practical scenarios. The practical coursework helped me apply classroom knowledge and helped me gain confidence in areas I was lacking.
As with many technical programs, I faced my fair share of challenges throughout my studies. A few courses included complex topics that took much more time and energy than others. The best way I was able to work through the harder coursework was by dedicating more time to completing assignments. Another issue I dealt with was balancing my heavy course load with other personal responsibilities outside of school. The way I managed to overcome this was to start prioritizing my schoolwork by dedicating more time to complete assignments and studying.
From 2017-2024 I was an active-duty member of the United States Navy. A lot of the structure and routine I had during those years adequately prepared me for the 18 credit hour semesters I completed in order to graduate as soon as possible.
IDS 493 Reflection
IDS 493 or IDS Electronic Portfolio Project is a course that focuses on building and designing a professional ePortfolio site that successfully presents and highlights knowledge and skills gained from ODU’s Cybersecurity Program and other relevant experience. For me, the most valuable concept I learned from the course was reflecting on my past achievements and compiling those into a professional format.
My site organization and display of prior experience are the best parts of my site. However, I am most proud of military achievement/awards which are displayed in the Awards and Recognition tab. This is the tab I would direct everyone to, if they were only able to view one thing.
One of the challenges I faced with this course was learning how to properly use WordPress and successfully edit my site to display the appropriate items. There were a few ways I was able to navigate through this issue. Firstly, I utilized ODU’s ePortfolio Studio. This office provides support and student resources to aid with the creation of an ePortfolio. I personally loved being able to schedule a virtual meeting with an expert to help fine tune my site and answer any questions I had. In addition, this office also provides all the tutorials you could ever need to successfully edit an ePortfolio.
If I would have had more time, I would’ve liked to make my site more interactive and include more advanced and creative design options. A few of my previous courses required students to create an ePortfolio and upload certain assignments. This helped me a lot by having a basic understanding of how WordPress worked and how to edit the site.
Conclusion
As I reflect on my time at ODU and on the IDS 493 course, I am thankful for the wide array of new knowledge I have acquired and the improvement in many of my skills. The Cybersecurity program at ODU helped me combine both technical skills and soft skills like communication to help me transition into a cybersecurity professional.
Interdisciplinary thinking played a major role in my studies while at ODU. Cybersecurity intersects with so many various fields like business, technology, and human behavior. Learning and understanding these connections helped me see how cybersecurity relates to and affects organizations and society as a whole. Being an interdisciplinary thinker is crucial in the realm of cybersecurity. Effective and successful cybersecurity requires minds that think broadly and beyond an issue at face value. A broad perspective helps professionals better identify risks and develop stronger security methods.
After completing my degree at Old Dominion University, my next step is to pursue a professional career in the cybersecurity field. Eventually, I would like to work with a 3-letter agency like the CIA, FBI, or NSA. I look forward to applying all the knowledge and skills I’ve gained to my new career and being able to continue to grow within cybersecurity.