Currently, I am in the Army National Guard and I am majoring in Cybersecurity. I am a sophomore at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington (UNCW). Under the National Guard, I am serving a six-year contract. I will be done with my service in 2028. After graduation, I plan to obtain a job in cybersecurity—I am not exactly sure what area of cyber, but I know I want to help people who are in need of security on the technological devices. I feel as though cybersecurity is similar to police officers, except they are on technology protecting citizens from hackers. I strive to help others online to protect their information from malicious individuals who want to take advantage of the system. My grandfather was in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He served for more than two enlistments I believe. When my grandmother spoke about his time in the military, I believe he had served 5-10 years. His service and dedication to his country motivated me choose to join the National Guard. I was thinking about doing Air Force National Guard originally, but I believe my Army recruiter pressured me into joining Army. I do not know what my experience would have been like in the Air Force, but I am sure it would have been a great experience to serve under such a branch. I am not planning on re-enlisting, but who knows what could happen in the future? I know that only a year ago I was contemplating going to ROTC, but the college I go to does not have an ROTC. That part limited me quite a bit. If I could do it all over again in terms of military service, I would have enlisted in the Air Force for active duty. I would relish in doing a three-year active duty contract, since it seems like it is so much more fulfilling compared to the National Guard. I am aware that this essay contest was intended for individuals who are thinking of enlisting in the military, but I hope that what I have written puts to light why I am writing this essay to you. At least in terms of my military experience, being in college while in the Army National Guard has its challenges and its perks. Time management has been an important skill for me to learn while being in the military. However, I am grateful for the skills I have learned from the Guard, as it helps me both in my personal, professional, and military life.

As a student, it can be impossible to have time to focus on your mental and physical health. It is extremely important to me and I find that I feel more refreshed throughout my day when I wake up early, go to the gym, and eat breakfast before class. The challenges I experience are related to time management. I am excellent with my managing my time wisely, however it can be difficult when I have many responsibilities. I am in the Army National Guard, full time student, as well as working on the weekends all day. However, I love to stay busy. I love knowing that I accomplished a lot throughout my day, and my mental health is happy for me. I am more depressed if I have not gotten out of bed, even if it is one day where I have a break. I feel guilty; as if I have done something wrong. I am not sure if that is truly something healthy to have, but I know for me that I am a busy person who feels better having things to do. My physical health is well. If I could rate it on a scale of one to ten, I would say an eight. I excel in weight lifting, strength-based training, as well as some calisthenics. I do need to be better about jogging/running more, although there are several reasons for why I dislike running. I think it can be hard on your body for sure—especially your joints/bones. Running on the hard pavement or even a treadmill can be taxing to any runner; I am very wary about how often I run. As a student, there are several instances where I have had to skip going to the gym, eat breakfast, or even shower. Sometimes waking up in the morning can be a challenge. Even though I love being out and about doing activities, there are instances where I am exhausted. My mental and physical health have been expended. I have issues where I do not notice when I am tired, so I simply continue doing a ton and not giving myself a break. Breaks are so important to one’s mental and physical health. Speaking of breaks, I also ended my social media accounts. I have never been happier and less insecure about my face, body, and overall appearance. In terms of Snapchat, I deleted my account. I still have an Instagram account just to keep older pictures on there and stay in touch with friends/family, but I have the application deleted off of my phone. I only have Facebook, which I seldomly use. I love having breaks from social media and giving myself time to recuperate. Not having Snapchat has been one of the best decisions I have made for my mental health as a student, a soldier, and a young adult apart of the LGBTQIA+ community. My mental and physical health are splendid, in terms of my age and experience. I am proud of anyone who is excelling as a student, especially others apart of the LGBTQIA+ community. I see my girlfriend and see how far they have come in terms of their mental health, and I am excited to see more improvement in mine. I am excited for the future and what my education will help me do.

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.