What made you decide to choose your specific major?
I knew from the start of high school that I wanted to pursue a STEM-based career that matched my analytical mindset but while I enjoyed coding through some of the classes I took, I wanted a major that incorporated a bit more creativity and hands-on experience. When I discovered the field of Cybersecurity, I found that topics like cryptography and incident response gave me the excitement of solving a puzzle and tackling a mystery. I have gravitated towards this kind of learning since I was a kid, so I knew that this program within the Polytechnic Institute was where I was meant to be.
What are a couple of your favorite things about your program of study?
I really appreciate how the topics we dive into during lectures are always grounded in real-world examples so that no matter how complex a certain concept may seem, it never feels like an out of touch external process. Being able to relate what I am learning to my own life and personal experience makes what I am working towards all the more exciting. I also enjoy how the technology industry as a whole is always advancing so you can grow in your knowledge alongside the ever-changing field we work in.
What has been on of your favorite class projects?
One of my favorite class projects was the final activity in the lab portion of CNIT 17600: Information Technology Architectures in which I created a LAMP Web Server and RAID Array. Having no prior experience with Linux or the Raspberry Pi, this project required a lot of troubleshooting and backtracking in order to get everything set up correctly and operating as expected. Even when my SD card became corrupted shortly after completing the last step, I used that as an opportunity to find out how I could prevent something similar from happening in the future. I loved that I could keep learning and build upon my knowledge even after the deadline of an assignment.
What other activities are you involved in on campus?
I am involved in Women in Technology (WiT), where I will be serving as the Events Chair for the 26-27 school year! I'm excited to grow in my leadership through this role by planning career panels and social activites. I am also a member of Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS), which fosters an inclusive environment to support women in male-dominated fields while helping one another in networking and professional development. Additionally, I serve on the Program Management committee for Stempower, a club that volunteers with local organizations and schools to uplift minority youth interested in math and science careers. Lastly, I am part of the Archery club, through which I enjoy destressing after classes and having fun outside on the range.
What do you know about your program of study now that you wish someone had told you when you were choosing a major?
I wish someone had told me how interconnected all of the classes are within my program of study. Coming from high school where a lot of the courses involved memorizing concepts before moving on to an entirely different unit, I had to get used to applying ideas across lessons and building upon previous chapters. While more challenging at first, I eventually found it really rewarding to know that everything I was learning would be applicable in the future rather than just serving as a stepping stone. I even found myself relating some of the material in my Cybersecurity classes to things I was being taught in general core classes, which added a sense of purpose to the work I was doing.
What would be one piece of advice for prospective students or new Purdue students?
I would advise prospective students or new Purdue students to keep an open mind during the application process and when first starting out at college. When making my decision, I went in thinking I was going to major in Computer Science and potentially move across the country but in going on campus tours and doing more research, I discovered different paths and options I had never before considered. You never know what will be a good fit until you see it in action first-hand, so I really recommend witnessing the classrooms and groups you might one day be a part of.