My name is Travon Cleveland, and I’m currently pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity with a minor in Criminal Justice at Old Dominion University. Before beginning this academic journey, I served two years in the U.S. Navy, an experience that instilled in me discipline, adaptability, and a strong sense of responsibility. Those lessons continue to shape the way I approach both my studies and my career path.

I chose cybersecurity because of my interest in technology and my desire to make a real impact in protecting people and organizations from digital threats. Coming out of the military, I wanted to pursue a field that challenges me, allows me to problem-solve, and gives me the opportunity to keep learning as technology evolves. Cybersecurity combines all of that with the ability to serve a bigger mission: defending systems, data, and communities against growing cyber risks.

Looking ahead, I’m preparing for the CompTIA Security+ certification as my next step, with plans to pursue CySA+ or CEH after that. I’m also building hands-on experience through labs and coursework to position myself for internships such as ODU’s Cyber LeADERS/SFS program. My long-term goal is to work in a Security Operations Center (SOC) or in digital forensics, and eventually grow into a threat-hunting or leadership role in the field.