This is a guest post written by Ali from California. He became a NCSF Finalist through CyberStart America and the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation.

“Everyone can find something they like about cybersecurity, and participating in CyberStart is a great place to begin your journey!”

We caught up with Ali to find out how his cybersecurity journey began and his hopes for the future.

What made you want to compete in CyberStart America?

I wanted to compete in CyberStart America because I was looking for a way to learn about cybersecurity in an interactive and fun environment. I was drawn to CyberStart’s gamified platform, and the compelling storylines and real-world applications motivated me to work through the challenges.

💡 Learn more about CyberStart’s free programs in this blog.

How did you feel about becoming a Finalist in the competition?

💡 “When I began my CyberStart journey, I never thought I would get this far.”

Becoming a Finalist feels amazing! Last year, when I began my CyberStart journey, I never thought I would get this far. I feel really happy that all my hard work has paid off, and I feel even more excited to participate next year. I am so thankful to my teacher and team who supported me along the way. Competing in CyberStart itself was a really enjoyable experience, but becoming a Finalist is like the cherry on top!

Do you have plans to continue your cybersecurity studies?

I am going to continue delving into the compelling world of cybersecurity throughout my high school career and beyond! I will keep competing in cybersecurity competitions with my team and continue to grow my skills. I want to learn more about how cybersecurity intersects with AI and machine learning, as well as how it can innovate other fields. Later on, I hope to discover ways I can help those around me with cybersecurity to make my community safer and more innovative. CyberStart gave me such a great foundation, and I’m eager to further my learning.

Thinking about college may seem far away, but it is my dream to attend a place like UC Berkeley, Stanford, or MIT. I can’t even begin to imagine the plethora of resources I’d have access to! I’d be able to fill my brain with an endless library of knowledge that could help me reach new heights.

Before participating in CyberStart America, were you considering a career in cybersecurity?

💡 “The field of cybersecurity is vast and diverse, and there is a true purpose of social good behind it.”

Truthfully, cybersecurity didn’t pique my interest before I participated in CyberStart. The field seemed daunting to me, and I assumed it was just mindless hacking. But then, CyberStart completely changed my perspective. Now I see that the field of cybersecurity is vast and diverse, and that there is a true purpose of social good behind it. Everyone can find something they like about cybersecurity, and participating in CyberStart is a great place to begin your journey!

Since participating in CyberStart America, are you now considering a career in cybersecurity?

After participating in CyberStart, I not only see cybersecurity as a fun hobby but also as a potential career in my future! As technology becomes more and more prevalent in our society, so will the need for cybersecurity analysts. I want to explore how cybersecurity can improve the digital safety and well-being of the world’s elderly population. I have seen my grandparents and relatives come face to face with dangerous online scams and cyber attacks too many times, so I want to work towards creating a safer digital world for them and people everywhere. I am so thankful to CyberStart America for igniting this passion in me, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me!

Want to kickstart your dream career like Ali? Try some CyberStart challenges for free to start your journey towards your dream career!