As I approach graduation from the University of Tampa, I’ve been thinking carefully about the next step in my education and career. After considering several graduate programs, I’ve decided to pursue a Master of Science in Computer Engineering with a concentration in Security at Florida International University. One of the biggest factors in this decision […]

Cybersecurity is a field where learning never really stops. New threats emerge constantly, technologies evolve, and the skills needed to defend systems have to keep pace. One of the certifications that often marks the starting point for many cybersecurity professionals is CompTIA Security+, and recently I earned it myself. Security+ is widely recognized as an

Certifications have become an important part of how I approach learning in cybersecurity. Not as a replacement for hands-on experience, but as a way to validate fundamentals and build a common baseline of knowledge. I recently passed the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) exam, which reinforced core concepts across security principles, access control, network security,

As I near the completion of my undergraduate degree, I am beginning to focus more intentionally on what comes next and how I want to continue developing within the cybersecurity field. I have been accepted into graduate programs at Norwich University for a Master’s in Cybersecurity and at Nova Southeastern University for a Master’s in

Army ROTC has been the most demanding commitment of my college experience, and without question, the one that has shaped me the most. From the beginning, ROTC introduced a level of structure, accountability, and expectation that went far beyond the classroom. Time management stopped being a concept and became a requirement. Balancing academics, work, physical

I am currently working as a Network Analyst Co-Op at TECO’s Bearss Operations Center, where I gain hands-on experience in an operational environment supporting critical infrastructure across both IT and OT domains. This role exposes me to a mix of on-prem and cloud-based systems, reinforcing how modern enterprise environments rely on hybrid architectures rather than

When people imagine cybersecurity, they tend to think about hackers, exploits, and high-tech tools. What they don’t picture is a help desk ticket that starts with, “I clicked something I probably shouldn’t have.” Working at the University of Tampa’s IT Help Desk has been one of the most influential experiences of my undergraduate career. It’s

This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The program was highly selective, and I was honored to be chosen to contribute alongside talented peers, officers, and researchers working on some of the most critical challenges in cybersecurity. During my