05Writing
Notes from the field

Writing.

June 3, 2026 Field Notes

I signed. Cyber Security Engineer at Textron Systems.

A few weeks ago I published a post called “200 applications, 6 interviews, 0 offers.” It was an honest accounting of what the entry-level cyber job search actually…

May 11, 2026 Field Notes

200 applications, 6 interviews, 0 offers: what the entry-level cyber job search actually looks like

I’ve applied to roughly 200 cybersecurity and IT roles since the start of my senior year. As of this writing the number sits around 195, and I’m being…

May 11, 2026 Field Notes

Two ceremonies, one weekend, three years of work.

I graduated from the University of Tampa with a B.S. in Cybersecurity and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army National Guard, branched 17A, Cyber Warfare.…

May 11, 2026 Field Notes

Two cloud certs in a week: AWS Cloud Practitioner + Microsoft AZ-900

I knocked out AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) and Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) back-to-back. Foundational-tier on both, which means neither one makes me a cloud engineer. What they…

March 9, 2026 Field Notes

Next Steps: Starting My MS in Computer Engineering (Security) at FIU

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…

March 9, 2026 Field Notes

Earning My CompTIA Security+

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…

February 2, 2026 Field Notes

Building the Foundation: Certifications and Continuous Learning

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…

February 2, 2026 Field Notes

What’s Next: AI, Cyber, and Looking Forward

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…

February 2, 2026 Field Notes

ROTC, Cyber, and the Path to Becoming an Officer

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…

February 2, 2026 Field Notes

From Classroom to Control Room

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…