In middle school, I was already interested in programming and gaming. I even created a basic golfing simulator on my own, just for fun. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that curiosity about how things worked and how they could be built would eventually become the foundation of my career in cybersecurity.
By the time high school started, I was still unsure about what I wanted to do professionally. My schedule was already packed with honors and AP classes, and I wasn’t looking to add anything else. A few weeks into my freshman year, however, my counselor contacted me about a dual enrollment opportunity, a college-level cybersecurity program. At first, I was completely against the idea. I didn’t want to take on more than I already had. But I must admit counselors can persuade just about anyone. So, I gave it a shot.
Suddenly, I was a freshman in both high school and college, starting two academic journeys at once. Not long after, I discovered an opportunity with CyberForward Academy. Out of more than 300 students across the Orange County school districts, about 30 of us were selected to participate in their 8-week foundational cybersecurity program. The material came easily to me, and I found it genuinely enjoyable, fun, even.
After the foundation program, we were offered the chance to interview for either internships or apprenticeships. I was selected for an apprenticeship and entered what was called the Work Center. A completely new environment, unlike anything I had experienced before. Up until that point, I assumed cybersecurity was just about phishing attacks and hacking simulations. The basics we covered in the foundation course. But the Work Center showed me a whole new side of the field. I started learning how to write formal processes and policies. My writing skills dramatically improved. I had always been a quick learner, but this experience forced me to become faster and more precise. It wasn’t easy. In fact, it pushed me to my limits, but it was worth every moment.
After Thanksgiving break, I was promoted to Team Lead. That brought new challenges not academic ones, but interpersonal. I was suddenly responsible for leading peers’ people I had previously worked with. I had to figure out how to manage people, motivate them, and meet deadlines without being overbearing. I learned how to build relationships, establish trust, and turn teamwork into friendship.
One of the biggest personal challenges I faced was public speaking. It had never been a strength of mine. So, when I was asked to speak at an apprentice appreciation gathering, I was nervous despite knowing most of the audience. My hands were shaking, my palms were sweating, but once I started speaking, I found my flow. It became easier over time. As I was later invited to speak at multiple conferences and eventually helped lead projects as well. All the while, I was still in high school, continuing my college classes.
Then came another opportunity, I was asked to become a Project Manager/Coach. I had no idea what I was stepping into, but by then, I had developed a key strength to embrace the unknown. As a coach, I worked closely with teams made up of friends and peers. We had good days, stressful days, and everything in between. But each challenge helped us grow stronger as individuals and as a team. Eventually, I found myself speaking at large-scale conferences, leading presentations, and handling responsibilities that I never imagined I’d be trusted with at my age.
On June 20, I reached the official end of my two-year apprenticeship. When I was told it was over, I didn’t expect to feel so emotional. For two years, it shaped my daily life and identity. I wasn’t sure what was next. That’s when I learned that we would be offered the chance to apply for two positions at CyberForward Academys parent company, Cisoshare. Despite all the mock interviews and preparation, I’d gone through during my apprenticeship, I was nervous again. I knew I wanted it. I didn’t realize just how much cybersecurity had become part of my identity until I thought I might lose it.
I’m proud to say that, thanks to CyberForward Acdaemys apprenticeship, I got the job. As of July 7, I officially became a Security Specialist. Once again, I’m diving into the unknown, but this time, I’m doing it with confidence, experience, and deep gratitude. Now, with a new panel appearance and my first joint presentation coming up through the Orange County Department of Education Apprenticeship Program, I feel ready for whatever’s next. This apprenticeship didn’t just teach me cybersecurity. It taught me leadership, adaptability, communication, and resilience. I didn’t just become a better student I became a better me!