This is a guest post written by Trinity from Franklin W. Olin College Of Engineering: Needham, Massachusetts. She became a National Cyber Scholar with Honors through Cyber FastTrack 2022/2023 and the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation.

“If it wasn't for this program, I would have never gotten into cybersecurity.”

Trinity discusses how the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation initiated her journey into cybersecurity.

How would you describe your experience of this year's CyberStart program?

As my third year as a National Cyber Scholar, I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing community that had been built through the CyberStart program and the challenges that I had still left to solve. I learned so much through this program and the hands-on and diverse set of problems made the journey engaging and rewarding at every step.

How do you feel about becoming a Scholar?

I still can't believe how much I've grown through CyberStart. If it wasn't for this program, I would have never gotten into cybersecurity, but CyberStart's engaging CTF style encouraged me to continue to learn even though it was difficult at times.

Do you have plans to continue your cybersecurity studies?

I do! I'm an undergraduate pursuing computer engineering, so I'll be taking classes on computer architecture and software systems. Aside from my college courses, I'm also looking to get into other cybersecurity programs, like CyberPatriot, but for college students.

Before participating in this year's program, were you considering a career in cybersecurity?

I was going to just be a software developer or do something related to computer science. Before being exposed to CyberStart in my Junior year in college and scoring highly in the 48-hour CTF, I don't think I would have thought I had what it took to get into cybersecurity. I thought that the only people who could be good enough for cybersecurity were coding geniuses or someone who spent all day on the internet.

“I thought that the only people who could be good enough for cybersecurity were coding geniuses or someone who spent all day on the internet.”

Since participating in this year's program, are you now considering a career in cybersecurity?

Now that I've been doing this for 3 years, I know that anyone can break into the cybersecurity field if they want to. I'm most definitely looking for a future in or related to cybersecurity for sure.

How did participating in Cyber FastTrack help you develop your cybersecurity skills?

It was my first and main exposure to Cybersecurity. Cyber FastTrack has been pivotal in my growth in cybersecurity skills.

Was there a specific teacher, counselor or other person at your school (or outside of school!) who encouraged you to get into cybersecurity, or to join this program?

My current college advisor, Steve Matsumoto, actually has a lot of cybersecurity background which has been great.

Any final comments?

Thank you so much for giving me the support and opportunity to learn cybersecurity and find out how much I love it!

Would you like to explore a future in cybersecurity like Trinity? US college students can join the next cohort of Cyber FastTrack here. Or if you’re in high school, check out CyberStart America here.