LGBTQIA+ in Cybersecurity Scholarship

I look around the room, where monitors and TVs cover the walls, all displaying black backgrounds with lime-green text; I had never been more nervous in my life. This was the first day I decided to join the meeting of the Maryville University Ethical Hackers. Nothing is more intimidating than walking into a room full of people that you don’t know and recognizing your differences from every one of them. I am the only woman there, nevertheless a bisexual woman, in a meeting where I know very little about cybersecurity, but that didn’t stop me from taking up a seat on the couch. Now, I look back on that first meeting and wonder what would have happened if I had turned back and walked out the door because I was frightened. I can tell you a couple of things. I wouldn’t have met lifelong friends, wouldn’t have learned exciting and complex cybersecurity knowledge, and wouldn’t have pushed myself to try something new, even though I was different. Luckily, the ethical hackers club at my university is very supportive and welcoming, but I know that is not always the case in the world of cybersecurity. Keeping this in mind, I want to be that support for students interested in pursuing cybersecurity or technology. Recently, I was the head of a STEM Club committee to bring technology education to a local, rural elementary school. In this project, we created a curriculum for 4th and 5th-grade students to learn about technology and coding. We started with block coding on Code.org and worked our way up to coding calculator robots to draw shapes! Watching the students' faces fill with joy when learning showed me how important technology outreach is, especially for students who typically don’t see themselves in that space. Being from that rural community, I have felt ashamed of my sexuality and being “different” from everyone else. Those experiences have fueled me to bring technology education and resources back to small towns like mine. The places where students can see that being “different” is not something to be ashamed of, but to be proud of. Currently, I am a second-year student at Maryville University of Saint Louis, where I am pursuing a dual degree in cybersecurity and leadership. My ultimate career goal is to be a cybersecurity incident responder. My skill set and passions align with this field because of my strong problem-solving abilities, ability to work under pressure, and passion for protecting digital systems. After graduating, I plan to gain experience on an incident response team, developing my skills in identifying, analyzing, and responding to cyber attacks. In the next ten years, I aspire to lead a team of cybersecurity incident responders, as per my dual degree in leadership. This scholarship would be a great financial relief for my upcoming semester, as I work 30+ hours a week during the school year to afford my education. This scholarship would allow me to spend less time working and more time focusing on attending clubs like the Maryville Ethical Hackers, pursuing internship opportunities, and giving back to the community. To conclude, I am committed to securing the digital world as I pursue my career goal of becoming a cybersecurity incident responder. My experiences of being a bisexual woman who grew up in a rural community have shaped me into a person who is motivated to excel in cybersecurity and contribute to a more inclusive and accessible field.

Cybersecurity is not just a profession; it’s a calling to protect the digital frontier. As the child of African immigrant parents who are homophobic, I have faced numerous barriers, but each challenge has only strengthened my resolve to contribute to this critical field. This scholarship represents a beacon of hope and a crucial stepping stone in my journey. Growing up in a household where my identity as an LGBTQIA+ individual was not accepted was incredibly challenging. My parents, immigrants with deeply rooted Christian beliefs, could not reconcile their love for their child with their cultural values. This led to a strained relationship and eventually, I had to leave home to preserve my mental and emotional well-being. Despite these hardships, I pursued my education with unwavering determination. My interest in cybersecurity began during high school when I participated in a computer science club. I realized that safeguarding information was not just a technical challenge but a deeply ethical one. I am particularly drawn to risk management within cybersecurity because it involves identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks, which aligns with my analytical skills and passion for protecting others. I aspire to become a risk management analyst, focusing on developing strategies to protect organizations from cyber threats. In five to ten years, I envision myself leading initiatives that not only secure data but also advocate for greater diversity and inclusion within the tech industry. The journey has not been easy. From battling homelessness to juggling multiple jobs to support my education, I have faced and overcome numerous obstacles. The rejection from my family due to my identity was particularly painful, but it also fueled my determination to succeed and carve out a space where I could thrive. These experiences have taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of a supportive community. Mentors and allies have played a crucial role in my journey, providing guidance and encouragement when I needed it most. This scholarship will significantly reduce my financial burden, allowing me to focus on my studies and career goals without the constant stress of financial insecurity. It aligns perfectly with my aspirations, providing the resources and support I need to excel in the field of cybersecurity. With this scholarship, I will be able to complete my degree and pursue advanced certifications that are essential for my career in risk management. My journey in cybersecurity is driven by a desire to protect and empower others, especially those from marginalized communities. This scholarship is not just financial aid; it is an investment in a future where diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of technological advancement. I am grateful for this opportunity and committed to making a meaningful impact in the field of cybersecurity, particularly in risk management. By supporting my education, you are helping me to not only achieve my dreams but also to contribute to a safer and more inclusive digital world.

I see myself as a cybersecurity expert working at the forefront of protecting vulnerable populations and organizations from cyber threats. I want to be someone who not only understands the technical aspects of cybersecurity but also the human side of it. My goal is to work in a role where I can develop and implement innovative security solutions that can safeguard people's personal information and prevent cyber attacks. Before coming back to finish my bachelor's degree, I worked at a tech non-profit in San Diego for five years. My main job was teaching vulnerable people how to use various technologies safely. We held in-person classes at libraries and community centers, mainly for senior citizens, non-English speakers, and folks who had just left the penal system. These people were often terrified of using their smartphones or computers. Society tends to dismiss these groups because of their age or background. Being a gay Filipino man myself, I understand what it feels like to be dismissed because of my background. But the real reason these folks are vulnerable is that they haven't been given a fair chance to learn. At my job, I heard countless stories of people losing money, assets, and even their identities due to online fraud. One student came to my class after being catfished online, losing most of her savings. Another student had downloaded multiple viruses from clicking on Facebook ads and ended up having to wipe his computer. The story that hit me the hardest was about a senior citizen who had her identity stolen after trusting a fraudulent website with her social security number. Many people might think these issues could have been avoided with common sense, but I always reminded my peers that these folks didn't have the same access to technology back in their day. Many received their first smartphone well into their supposed retirement. With no knowledge of how current technology works and the constant changes, they are left in a tough spot: either learn quickly or be left behind and at risk. Hearing what my students went through opened my eyes to the importance of cybersecurity. By learning more about it, I aim to achieve two main goals. First, I want to bring this information back to vulnerable populations, giving them the tools to defend themselves. This will hopefully empower many to use everyday technology safely. Second, I want to discover new ways to protect people from emerging cybercrimes. I want to dive deep into cybersecurity to find new defensive measures that companies can use to protect people's information. Additionally, I want to contribute to cybersecurity research by understanding how these attacks happen, both from a technical standpoint and how they impact victims. In five years, I hope to be working for a company or organization that values cybersecurity and is committed to protecting its users. I want to be involved in research and development, finding new ways to counteract cyber threats and creating tools that make technology safer for everyone. I also see myself continuing to educate and advocate for vulnerable communities, ensuring they have the knowledge and resources they need to protect themselves online. Since attending my classes, many of my students have achieved their goals. I've managed to inspire them to learn how to use their tech. One student, an 87-year-old man who was initially against using self-checkout kiosks, recently bought his first smartphone. He was thrilled to show it off and even more excited to use what he’s learned. I want to give more people the confidence to try technology without fear.

I am black. I am gay. I am a woman. These things have shaped my experiences and have made me who I am today. Throughout my childhood, I spent my most of my time with electronics. Currently every aspect of my life is filled with it. As a kid I always thought I would end up working with computers. Now as an adult I see my future in cyber security. With this scholarship I will be able to reach my goals and finish school where I am currently studying for my Bachelor’s in Computer Science. I want to see more diversity in this field that is lacking in women, especially black and gay women. I want to be a driving force for the women after me to see that we can grow and succeed anywhere at any time. In five to ten years I see myself graduating and getting my dream job working for the government. I want to help take care of this country in the way I know best. Being able to work for my country and make it better in a way that I excel at will bring me true happiness. Right now I am working in a private company getting a chance to work and learn the ins and outs of the work I hope to do in my future. Though I choose not to use the word hope. I will make sure I am able to complete that goal no matter what. I have the dedication and now all I need is the education to back it up. Finding this scholarship has been a dream come true. Knowing that there is a support system for people like me is an amazing feeling. Everyone deserves a chance to make their career goals happen but that chance isn’t just given to everyone. I like others have been paying for 1 class per semester out of pocket just to continue my goal. With this scholarship it will allow me to take more classes and reach my goal quicker. I want this future for myself and the scholarship would be a step in the right direction for me. My career goals are the most important part of my life and I’d love to have this chance to make sure my career happens. I thank you for this amazing chance and thank you for the generosity to help those who need it. I hope you consider me further for this scholarship and do know I appreciate the chance to tell you my story.

For me, cybersecurity has always been a passion driven by a need to defend and safeguard more than just a job option. My objective as a cybersecurity major is to work as a cybersecurity analyst and use my knowledge to protect companies from online attacks. This is the ideal route for achieving my long-term professional goals. I experienced directly as a child the value of resiliency and perseverance in the face of difficulty. My father's struggle with bladder cancer gave me a deep respect for life and an unwavering desire to change the world. That's what motivates me to work in a profession where every decision made has the potential to avert harm. I am a lesbian who identifies as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, so I am acutely aware of the difficulties that might arise in fields like cybersecurity that are dominated by men. It is impossible to exaggerate the value of inclusivity and diversity in these domains. As a member of a group that has traditionally encountered obstacles, I'm dedicated to dispelling myths and opening doors for those who share my background. Using my expertise to safeguard vital networks and infrastructures, I envision myself in a significant position on a cybersecurity team in five to 10 years. My goal is to become an expert in all aspects of cybersecurity, including threat analysis, security solution development, and penetration testing. Alongside mentoring and inspiring those from underprivileged backgrounds, I also want to achieve. For me to accomplish my objectives, this scholarship opportunity is crucial. Financial aid will alleviate some of the burden of tuition costs, allowing me to focus more on my studies and professional development. It also shows that diversity in cybersecurity is important. By sponsoring me, the scholarship committee is investing in the future of cybersecurity—a future where everyone has an equal voice and a seat at the table. I pursue my academic goals in addition to serving my nation and community as a member of the National Guard. My commitment to protection and service has improved as a result of this experience, and I will carry these ideals into my academic work and future cybersecurity profession. My enthusiasm for helping and defending others, along with my commitment to diversity and inclusion, have all influenced my path to becoming a cybersecurity analyst. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a prospective cybersecurity analyst, this award is a wonderful fit for my objectives. I am sure I can have a significant impact on the field and encourage others to follow suit with this help.