Sustainability should be a priority in cybersecurity because the digital world uses far more energy and resources than most people think. Every time data is stored, servers are powered, or networks are kept running, electricity is being used. As technology grows, companies rely on huge data centers that run nonstop and require constant cooling. When cybersecurity is weak, organizations often react by adding extra servers, storing unnecessary data, or replacing devices earlier than needed. These choices increase energy use, create more electronic waste, and raise carbon emissions. By making sustainability an important part of cybersecurity, professionals can help build a digital environment that is both secure and environmentally responsible. Cybersecurity also affects how long our devices last. When a computer or phone is not protected, it can become infected with malware, slow down, or stop working properly. Many people throw out their devices when this happens, even though the hardware itself is still fine. This adds to the growing problem of electronic waste around the world. Strong cybersecurity practices help devices stay safe and functional for a longer time, which reduces the need for constant replacements. In this way, cybersecurity becomes more than just protection from hackers. It becomes a way to help reduce waste and protect the environment. In my future career as a cybersecurity professional, I see myself contributing to sustainability in several meaningful ways. One of the most important is helping organizations use energy efficient security practices. Many companies store far more data than they actually need, which forces them to run extra servers all day and night. By helping them create smarter data policies, I can reduce unnecessary storage and lower energy use. I can also guide them toward cloud services that rely on renewable energy or use more efficient technology. These decisions may seem small, but when they are applied across large systems, they make a real difference. Another way I can help is by supporting longer device lifespans. I want to teach people in my community how to protect their devices from malware, phishing, and other threats that can damage them. When people know how to update their systems, manage their passwords, and avoid risky online behavior, their devices last longer and produce less waste. This connects directly to my goal of using cybersecurity to support and protect the people around me. I also hope to design or implement security systems that are strong without being wasteful. Good cybersecurity does not always require extra hardware or overly complicated systems. By focusing on efficient and well planned solutions, I can help reduce the energy demands of digital security. Whether I am configuring networks, managing encryption, or advising others on best practices, I want to make choices that balance protection with sustainability. In the end, cybersecurity and sustainability share the same goal of creating a safer future. By reducing waste, lowering energy use, and helping technology last longer, cybersecurity professionals can make a real impact. I see myself as part of that effort, someone who protects people, strengthens systems, and helps build a greener digital world.

After I finish my degree in cybersecurity, I want to use my knowledge and skills to make my community a safer and more secure place in a world that is becoming more digital every single day. Technology is now a part of almost everything we do, from how small businesses operate to how students learn to how families manage their finances. Even though technology keeps advancing, many people in my community do not have the resources, training, or support to protect themselves from cyber threats. I want to change that by bringing cybersecurity directly to the people who need it most and by making security something that everyone can understand, not just experts. One of my biggest goals is to support small businesses, nonprofits, and local organizations that often get overlooked. Large companies have entire cybersecurity teams, but small businesses usually do not have the money or knowledge to defend themselves. A single scam, data breach, or ransomware attack can destroy a business that took years to build. I want to offer affordable cybersecurity services that help these businesses protect their data, their customers, and their future. By doing this, I can help keep local jobs, support the local economy, and make sure the businesses that hold our community together stay strong. I also want to focus on education. Many people, especially students and older adults, do not realize how easy it is for attackers to steal information or trick someone into giving up access. I want to partner with schools, youth programs, and community centers to teach basic cybersecurity skills like recognizing scams, creating strong passwords, protecting personal information, and understanding online privacy. When people know how to protect themselves, they feel more confident using technology instead of being afraid of it. Education is one of the most powerful tools for preventing cybercrime before it happens. In the long term, I hope to build or join a cybersecurity team dedicated to protecting smaller communities that do not have the same resources as big cities or major corporations. My goal is to create a safer digital environment where people can work, learn, and live without constantly worrying about cyber threats. I want to be someone my community can rely on, not just for technical help but for guidance, support, and trust. Cybersecurity is more than a career for me. It is a way to give back, to protect the people around me, and to make sure that no one in my community has to face the kind of uncertainty my family faced when our situation changed. By using my skills to help others, I hope to make a real and lasting difference in the world around me.

My personal experiences with finances and financial education have changed a lot over the past year, and those changes have shaped the way I think about my future. For most of my life, my family’s financial situation was steady enough that I did not have to think too deeply about money. My dad worked hard, our bills were paid, and I could go out with friends or enjoy small things without worrying about how much they cost. I never realized how much stability we had until it suddenly disappeared. When my dad lost his job this past year, everything changed almost overnight. The things I used to do without thinking, like going out to eat or hanging out with friends, became rare because every dollar had to go toward essentials. My dad had to focus on paying bills and keeping us afloat, and I had to adjust to a new reality where money was tight and choices had consequences. Experiencing that shift made me understand how unpredictable life can be and how important financial knowledge really is. Seeing my family struggle pushed me to take finances more seriously and to think about how I can build a stable future for myself. I realized that I do not want to be caught off guard by unexpected challenges the way we were this year. I want to understand budgeting, saving, and planning so I can support myself and help my family if they ever need it. This experience also influenced the career path I want to pursue. I chose cybersecurity because it is a high paying field that is growing fast and is expected to stay in demand for many years. With technology advancing so quickly, especially with artificial intelligence becoming more powerful, I want a career that will not be easily replaced or taken over by machines. Cybersecurity offers stability, opportunity, and long-term security, which are all things I value after what my family went through. I plan to use what I learn about finances and cybersecurity to build a future where I am prepared, independent, and able to handle whatever challenges come my way. I want to make smart financial decisions, avoid the mistakes that come from not understanding money, and create a life where sudden changes do not completely knock me off balance. My experiences this past year were difficult, but they motivated me to work harder, think smarter, and build a future that is stronger than the situation I came from.