I am currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Cybersecurity. Even before enrolling in college, I knew Computer Science was the field for me—my passion for technology, rooted in my childhood love for gaming, made that choice clear. I’ve always been curious about how systems work, from network communication to system architecture and project development. However, as I progressed through my degree, I discovered a deep and growing interest in cybersecurity, which has since become my primary focus. This interest has inspired me to pursue both a master’s and Ph.D. in cybersecurity after my bachelors. What fascinates me most about cybersecurity is the global scale on which it operates. The idea that individuals and organizations can conduct high-impact operations from virtually anywhere in the world—whether through red teaming, penetration testing, or gathering intelligence on nation-state threat actors. My ultimate goal is to begin my career in red teaming, a field where I can ethically test and help secure systems through hands-on exploration and problem-solving. My interest in cybersecurity began long before I even knew what the field was. At around age nine, while playing online games, I started noticing unusual behaviors—players flying around when they shouldn’t, unlocking hidden levels, or even knocking others network offline. These moments left me with so many questions: How were they doing this? What was happening behind the scenes? I started Googling everything I could, even if I didn’t fully understand it at the time. That curiosity led me down a path of exploration. From watching long tutorials on Kali Linux to now actively using the operating system in my daily work, I’ve come a long way. My passion stems from being an observant learner—someone who enjoys digging deep and understanding how things really work. Studying Computer Science has enhanced this passion by giving me a strong foundation in technical concepts. For example, when I watch cybersecurity content online, I can now comprehend it on a much deeper level. While many people might just hear terms like “hacking,” I understand the underlying tactics such as DDoS attacks, buffer overflows, and privilege escalation. This technical knowledge transforms the way I engage with the content—it becomes more than just information; it's a learning opportunity that I can apply in real-world scenarios. Beyond my own goals, I’m also deeply motivated to inspire others. As a first-generation college student, I understand the power of representation and mentorship. I’ve started teaching my 13-year-old brother how to code in Python and introduced him to basic cybersecurity concepts. One night, he even called me asking for help with an educational site (Tryhackme) to learn more about cyber techniques. That moment made me incredibly proud—it showed me that my efforts were making an impact, and that he was taking initiative to learn on his own. This as also amplified my interest in teaching sometime in my career because I always end up in these opportunities. As the president of VSU's Trojan Tech Defenders club, I tend to teach many of my fellow peers cyber techniques as we engage in Capture-The-Flags. When I tend to see the impact on others it really strikes me to continue on my acts, therefore we all benefit. This field means more to me than just a career path—it's a passion, a purpose, and a way to uplift those around me. I’m excited to continue growing, learning, and contributing to the cybersecurity community.

College is important because it reinforces diverse traits to improve my character as a son, brother, and individual. As a first-generation student, a teacher introduced me to college in third grade, and her description amazed me. As a child, the most I got out of it was freedom due to nobody supervising you, no dress code, and more. Based on that experience, I knew I wanted to attend college. As I got older, I learned I wanted to be a cybersecurity analyst in technology, and my fascination with learning was impeccable. Although unsure about pricing for college, I knew that would be the best route for me because I would gain skills for my career and as a person. From working on many projects and unconsciously improving my communication, leadership, and discipline skills, I understood college is more than learning in the books. Understanding there is no single path in life and college has helped me understand many life lessons. Nobody can make choices for you; taking risks is what life is about, and discipline is a huge factor in life. From many tests of A's but also D's, misunderstanding content, or missing deadlines, I appreciate attending college because it has provided me with more than content in cyber. Since attending college, I have been doing so much in life I wouldn't have dreamed of, from being invited to be a panelist for incoming, leading competition teams, and even securing a cybersecurity internship with the Federal Bank Reserve, which is EXTREMELY competitive. As stated, the college provides me with many experiences, opportunities, and chances to prove myself. This provided me the stance to make adult decisions as a young adult and a safety net in case things go wrong. College is more than just paying for an education. It's the chance to enter doors you didn't even know existed, which I am experiencing. As I come to my senior year of college, I want to gain a continuation of my experience that will transfer to the real world. I want to maintain those skills in college and fortify them so I can continue obtaining that dream cybersecurity career. Continue to meet outstanding individuals who will form a mutual teaching and learning relationship. Most importantly, I want to enhance my skills as an individual, like communication, leadership, and influencing, so one day I can lead the next generation of children interested in cyber. Although college is expensive, I learned early that it is an investment in myself, my family, and my future. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to attend college because I do not know where I would be if I did not participate in school.