My Starting Point
When I began my journey at Old Dominion University, I was in a major period of transition. I had separated from active duty in the Navy about a year earlier and was transferring from a community college. During my four years of service as an Aviation Electronics Technician, I gained valuable experience that shaped who I am today. The military taught me accountability, a strong work ethic, and how to embrace change and tackle hard challenges with determination. I chose to serve so I could earn my GI Bill benefits and have the opportunity to attend college, which had always felt out of reach before. As a first-generation college student, I saw higher education as my chance to build a better future, not only for myself but also to make my mother proud. She had always dreamed of having a professional career, and I wanted to achieve that for both of us. When I first started at ODU, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew I would learn a lot of new things, but I also wondered how I would fit in as a non-traditional student who had been out of school for several years. I was a little unsure about handling a full-time class load again, but I was motivated by my goals and ready to achieve them.
The Journey
My time at ODU has been marked by significant growth, both personally and professionally. One of the most impactful experiences was my internship with the Monarch Internship & Co-op Office. Through this role, I had the opportunity to assist with events where I interacted with Fortune 500 business owners, city officials, and other influential community leaders. This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop strong communication and networking skills that I know will benefit me throughout my career. The women I worked with during my internship were incredible mentors who helped me build my confidence at the university level. They supported me as I worked on strengthening my résumé, improving my interview skills, and learning how to present myself professionally.
Academically, my courses also played a major role in shaping my development. One of the most meaningful classes for me was my Interdisciplinary Studies course. Before taking it, I assumed that being “interdisciplinary” just meant combining different viewpoints or explaining why multiple perspectives were important. However, I came to understand that it’s about integrating those perspectives to create a deeper, more effective understanding of complex issues. This way of thinking helped me develop my critical thinking skills and taught me how to approach problems more holistically.
Another course that made a big impact on me was my Linux class. It helped me strengthen my technical knowledge and skills related to cybersecurity. I learned about different Linux distributions, including Kali and Ubuntu, and how to install and operate them locally and on cloud platforms like AWS. I also gained experience with shell scripting, file permissions, and system administration tasks such as network configuration and log management. The class introduced me to important security concepts like footprinting, firewalls, and intrusion detection tools. These lessons built my technical foundation and prepared me for real-world cybersecurity work.
Together, my internship and coursework helped me grow in confidence, professionalism, and technical ability. I began to see how the communication and leadership skills I developed in my internship complemented the technical and analytical skills I gained in the classroom. This combination of experiences helped shape me into a more well-rounded student and future professional.
Meaning-Making
As I reflect on my experiences at ODU, one central theme that stands out is the importance of lifelong learning. In cybersecurity, new technologies, vulnerabilities, and challenges will continually emerge. This constant evolution requires professionals who are curious, adaptable, and willing to continuously learn. That idea resonates deeply with me because I’ve always enjoyed staying engaged, learning new things, and paying close attention to details. Through my coursework, I discovered how much I enjoy the analytical and problem-solving aspects of cybersecurity. The field requires patience, precision, and critical thinking, all of which challenge me to think deeply and stay focused. My Interdisciplinary Studies course was significant because it showed me that complex problems—such as cybersecurity threats to critical infrastructure—can’t be solved from just one perspective. In that class, I wrote a research paper on how integrated physical and digital security strategies can protect energy grids from ransomware attacks. This project opened my eyes to the connections between cybersecurity and other fields, such as engineering, economics, and political science. It also helped me see the bigger picture of how digital threats can impact society, not just technology.
That experience was a turning point for me because it made me realize that I want to work on the defensive, or “blue team,” side of cybersecurity—protecting systems, detecting vulnerabilities, and responding to incidents before they cause harm. Learning about real-world events, such as the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, has made me understand the critical importance of protecting the systems that support everyday life. It felt meaningful to imagine a career where I could play a part in keeping infrastructure, businesses, and communities safe. Overall, my experiences at ODU helped me understand that cybersecurity is about more than just technology—it’s about protecting people and the systems we all depend on. This realization, along with the theme of lifelong learning, has become the foundation of my professional identity and future goals.
Looking Forward
As I look ahead, my main goal is to continue growing as a cybersecurity professional and gain hands-on experience that will help me become a valuable asset to any team I join. I am especially interested in blue team and defensive cybersecurity roles, such as working as a SOC analyst or in vulnerability management. These areas align with my strengths in attention to detail, critical thinking, and problem-solving. To prepare for these opportunities, I plan to earn my AWS Cloud Practitioner and CompTIA Security+ certifications before graduation. These credentials will help me build a stronger technical foundation and demonstrate my readiness to enter the cybersecurity field. I also plan to continue improving my coding skills, since understanding how systems and scripts function is essential for identifying and mitigating security threats. In addition, I will be starting my Master’s in Cybersecurity at Old Dominion University in the spring. Through this program, I hope to deepen my knowledge of threat detection, digital forensics, and cloud security while developing a broader understanding of how technology, policy, and human behavior intersect in the security landscape. My long-term goal is to keep learning and adapting as the field evolves, contributing to a safer and more resilient digital environment.
The ePortfolio Experience
Building my ePortfolio has been a very reflective and rewarding process. It gave me the chance to look back on how much I’ve grown, both personally and professionally, since I began my journey at Old Dominion University. Through this process, I strengthened my ability to reflect on my experiences and organize them in a way that clearly shows my progress and goals. I also improved my visual design and writing skills by learning how to present my story in a professional and engaging manner.
Creating this portfolio helped me better understand how my education, internship experiences, and career goals all connect. It prompted me to reflect on who I am as a learner and an emerging cybersecurity professional. Putting everything together made me realize how far I’ve come and helped me articulate the professional I want to become—someone who values lifelong learning, collaboration, and adaptability. For students just starting their portfolio, I would recommend beginning early and viewing it as an ongoing project rather than something you finish all at once. It’s easier to update it as you go, rather than waiting until the end. I’d also suggest being honest and authentic—your portfolio should reflect your real journey, not just your achievements. Looking ahead, I plan to continue updating my portfolio as I earn new certifications, gain more experience, and begin my master’s program. Over time, I want it to serve as a record of my growth and a professional tool that showcases my development in cybersecurity and beyond.