Excelsior Cyber Security Scholarship

Hello everyone, my name is Manuele Zarconeminyety, and I am currently pursuing a degree in computer information systems at College of the Desert, with the goal of transferring to SANS Institute of Technology for a cybersecurity focus. I would like to share a bit about my background and aspirations within the field of cybersecurity. My journey into cybersecurity began during my service in the Marines. It was there that I was introduced to the complexities and importance of cybersecurity, and I quickly found myself fascinated by the challenges and opportunities it presented. This newfound passion led me to dedicate significant time and effort to developing my skills in this area. To hone my skills, I have been actively engaging with platforms such as Tryhackme and Hack The Box. These platforms offer hands-on experience with real-world scenarios, allowing me to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. Additionally, I have been an enthusiastic participant in the National Cyber League (NCL), where I have had the opportunity to compete and learn from some of the best minds in the field. One of my primary goals is to be recognized as a leader within the cybersecurity community. I am driven by a desire to contribute to the cybersecurity posture of the United States and to assist in protecting our nation from cyber threats. This ambition has guided my academic and extracurricular activities, as I strive to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to make a significant impact. At College of the Desert, I serve as the president of the Information Systems Club (CODIS). In this role, I have had the privilege of leading a dedicated team of students who share my passion for cybersecurity. Together, we have competed in various NCL competitions, consistently performing at a high level. Our success is a testament to our teamwork, dedication, and the comprehensive training we undergo. I believe my experiences and dedication make me a strong candidate for further opportunities in the cybersecurity field. My ultimate goal is to give back to the cybersecurity community and the United States. I plan to achieve this by providing free training to individuals who are interested in entering the cybersecurity field. I understand the challenges and barriers that can prevent people from pursuing a career in cybersecurity, and I want to make it more accessible to everyone. In addition to offering training, I aspire to one day be recognized enough to speak at conferences about the current state of digital security. I believe that sharing knowledge and insights is crucial for the continuous improvement of our cybersecurity defenses. By participating in and eventually leading such discussions, I hope to contribute to the collective effort to stay ahead of emerging threats. My commitment to cybersecurity is not just professional but deeply personal. I am driven by a sense of duty to protect our digital infrastructure and to ensure that we are prepared to face the challenges of the future. This dedication is reflected in my academic pursuits, my involvement in competitive cybersecurity events, and my leadership within the CODIS club. Looking ahead, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead at the SANS Institute of Technology. In conclusion, I am committed to continuing this journey, with the ultimate aim of giving back to the community and enhancing our national cybersecurity posture. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to and learn from the esteemed community at the SANS Institute of Technology.

The field of technology is massive and growing every day while the Warm Springs reservation remains left behind slowly catching up with the rest of society. My goal is the help the Warm Springs tribal reservation improve their skills in the field of technology. I currently work for a non-profit community organization called the Warm Springs Community Action Team as the Technology Workforce Analyst. In my current role, I am the project manager for recruiting Warm Springs tribal members into the field of technology. One of my roles is to obtain training, internships, apprenticeships, and entry-level jobs for the community of Warm Springs, OR. A little bit about Warm Springs, it is a small federally recognized tribe with about 3,800+ enrolled tribal members. About 97% of the population is low-income and living in the 98th poverty percentile. About 28% of tribal members have access to the internet, however, more each day are obtaining access to the internet. My goal is to obtain my degree first, while also continuing my recruitment and encouraging others into the field of technology. Recently, I obtained 500 scholarships for the Grow with Google program for the community of Warm Springs. I am now recruiting participants to continue learning in this program. I am currently enrolled in the IT support professional career certificate program and I am on week 5. I am currently reaching out to local companies to hire entry-level graduates for the program. My goal is to completely change the income average by having local tribal members obtain remote entry-level positions while still living in Warm Springs. Obtaining my degree gives me the opportunity to become the role of a mentor for those who plan to further their education here. I am currently a mentor for 2 students who are seeking their IT support professional career certificate. Recently, I had to explain to a student in a different way for them to understand binary code. While attending college and learning about binary code, I didn't understand it, it is hard. I researched on Youtube other training to learn it. I still couldn't learn it. However, while taking the Grow with Google (GWG) IT support course, it was so much easier to learn and understand. I now understand binary code in a way that made sense to me. The training program is very thorough and describes things in a way for normal individuals to understand. I hope to continue to be a role model for other Warm Springs tribal members who are pursuing a career in IT and computer science. I recently attended the ISC2 training for Cyber Security. I graduated from the training 7/17/2023. I plan to be earning my ISC2 cyber security certificate within the month. I plan on using my newly found skills to help my non-profit organization with future cyber security. I plan to help be a mentor and resource for future GWG cyber security trainees. I am a Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs tribal enrolled member. I am the first in my family to seek to obtain a Bachelor's degree education level. I am a woman with 3 children and from a low-income family. Our family qualifies for Medicaid and low-income assistance for some programs such as the ACP federal program. My family struggles to keep up with bills as we live pay check to pay check.