See It To Be It Spotlight

I got into cyber through…I initially planned to become an event planner and earned my degree in communications. But after graduating, I realized I needed to broaden my career options. I enrolled at UMGC and pursued a master’s degree in cybersecurity. While in school, I worked as a project manager helping to stand up the Coast Guard Cyber Command (CG-Cyber). After graduating, I landed my first cybersecurity role as a risk analyst at DHS, and the rest is history.

For me, a positive cyber mindset is…someone who has a resilient mindset, always finding ways to enable the business to be successful. 

The qualification that helped me transition to a career in cyber is…although I didn’t earn my undergraduate degree in IT or cybersecurity, completing my master’s in Cyber was foundational. From there, I obtained my Security+ and committed to continuous learning; seeking mentors, taking training, and gaining on-the-job experience.

Most of my skills were developed through hands-on work. Certifications are valuable, but without the ability to translate that knowledge into practice, they don’t hold much weight. For anyone trying to break into the field, focus on learning by doing.

I would tell my younger self…that it’s okay not to have all the answers. You belong in every room you enter, and you deserve a seat at the table just as much as anyone else.

My favorite place is…anywhere near water. The beach is my happy place.

Something few people may know about me is…that I am a career and leadership coach. 

My inspiration is…the same thing I tell my team: strive to be 1% better than you were the day before.