I’ve spent the last month thinking hard about my time so far in cyber security, and it has brought up a lot of good memories. The biggest thing that has stuck with me, and the thing I will leave you all with, is the top reason I love this career: my coworkers.
The people I’m surrounded by every day are not the typical people you think of when you think of I.T. They are creative, highly intelligent people that just want to make the world a safer place. They are some of the most accepting people I’ve ever met because nobody in this field conforms to the “normal” things you think of when you think I.T. We have all come from different backgrounds, but each day we get to work on a team that is aiming for the same goal. The people I work with have immense passion about what they do and the positive impact they can have on protecting individuals and organizations. Being around people that work in cyber security makes you want to do what they do because they’re just so excited about it.
So, why cyber security? Because I get to have a fun job where I get to work with a great team to make a difference in the day-to-day lives of people. I help protect hospitals and schools and governments from being the victims of the next big hack. I get to help owners of companies make sure their data isn’t stolen so they can continue operating and paying their employees. I get to use my creativity as a way to make a positive difference in the world.
Is this a challenging career? You better believe it. But the challenges lie in pushing myself every day to be better and smarter than the day before. And for that, I will be eternally grateful that I found where I was meant to be. For all of you out there feeling like a challenge and wanting a place where you will be accepted, this might just be the career for you.
Madison Slater
General Manager