From a young age, I've been captivated by the art of solving problems – taking something dysfunctional and making it efficient. This inherent drive found its first real expression at sixteen, working in a cafe. My problem-solving skills and natural leadership quickly led to a promotion to shift manager within a year. It was there I discovered not only my love for tackling challenges but also the genuine satisfaction of teaching others the solutions. This early success ignited a passion for continuous growth, leading to a track record of quick promotions across various industries. Each experience deepened my understanding of leadership and the profound impact people have on an organization's success.

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This fascination with the human element within complex systems is what ultimately led me to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Management Consulting in the great state of Texas. By nineteen, I had moved from my home in Virginia to fully fund my college career, graduating in 2022 with a BBA in Management Consulting. My studies focused on strategy, operations, and change management, yet my attention consistently gravitated back to the people within these frameworks. I realized that even the most brilliant plans falter if the individuals implementing them aren't aligned and working effectively together. This is precisely where I've always felt compelled to make a difference.

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Now, this inherent drive to solve complex problems and optimize systems is taking an exciting new direction: cybersecurity. My journey might seem like a pivot, but to me, it feels like a natural evolution. Just as I enjoyed dissecting inefficient processes in a business, I'm now thrilled by the intricate puzzles and critical thinking involved in protecting digital landscapes. My foundation in Management Consulting from Texas A&M University has equipped me with a crucial consultant's mindset – the ability to analyze intricate situations, pinpoint vulnerabilities, and implement strategic solutions. This background, now being amplified by dedicated cybersecurity training, creates a powerful synergy that perfectly aligns with the dynamic challenges of this field.

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My commitment to security became tangible in my previous role as Paralegal Team Lead at the Texas Military Department. Following a security incident, my problem-solving instincts kicked in, leading me to create essential security protocols for sensitive team documents. Implementing password protection and managing access controls became a crucial step in maintaining data privacy and operational security. This experience wasn't just about mitigating risk; it ignited a genuine desire to dive deeper into the world of cybersecurity.

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Fueling this passion, I've been actively building a robust technical skillset through the Google Career Certificate in Cybersecurity and my ongoing pursuit of the CompTIA Security+ certification. I'm excited by the power of tools like Python, the flexibility of the Linux command line, the insights gained from SQL and SIEM tools, and the strategic thinking behind incident response, security hardening, and understanding threat actor tactics. The Mastercard Cybersecurity virtual experience program further solidified this excitement, providing a real-world environment to apply these skills, identify potential threats, and recommend vital security training. For me, cybersecurity is the ultimate puzzle – a constantly evolving landscape where my love for problem-solving and my desire to create efficient, secure systems can truly thrive.

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