- Campus:
- IUPUI
What professional development activity did you complete with the help of the IUWIT grant?
I took and passed the Cyber Information Systems Security Professional [CISSP] exam.
How was that activity important/beneficial to your professional development?
It started off as a bit of a personal challenge. My mentors were telling me this will open doors of opportunity. I also wanted to prove to myself that I can put my mind to something and do it. I admit, once committed, I definitely underestimated the CBK and had to triple the time involved and give up a huge amount of my personal life to read and study. I loved it though. I want to keep going now. I am ready for the next endeavor. I am looking to apply it immediately in any way I can to my current and future roles.
What was the most valuable take-away from your experience with that activity that you can share with us?
I learned to be humbled by the fact that this is only but “the tip of the iceberg”. This is not the end but rather the beginning. I realized how much I don’t know about the field of cyber security, vulnerability management, and incident response (just to name a few areas that are massive all by themselves). I realized I want to start thinking more holistically about the field to supplement the rigors of endpoint management. I want to better understand how business needs and security needs are met (somewhere in the middle?) to balance each of their goals without burdening people and financial resources. I learned there is still a steep hill to climb there. This opened a door in a hallway full of more doors. I get to go open more doors now. Without this experience, the hallway will likely still elude me. In other words, I am happy to be in the hallway to pursue what’s next.
What did you want to be as a child, and how has that journey led you to where you are today?
Oh, interesting question. By the time I was in college, I wanted to be a veterinarian but wound up in IT because I could not handle the emotional burden of death in the practice. (wow heavy emotions there) Needless to say, I dropped out of my clinical vet internship early on. I was steered into IT because a career counselor thought my yearbook experience of mastering an Apple pc in the lab sounded like a good fit. I do remember being excited about computers from that moment forward. In hindsight, I mastered Adobe, not Apple but hey I cannot hold that counselor accountable forever. Maybe add a footnote about a missed boat for an art career in graphic design!! But hey I do get to make epic PowerPoint presentations when we present at Statewide IT.
Do you have any advice as a woman in a leadership role?
Sure, I would say do the research. Stop making assumptions based on old data. It used to be that men dominated the security sector, and that is no longer the case. Surveys are indicating younger female talent is starting to occupy more security leadership positions. They are bringing more degrees and certifications to the industry and filling more roles than their non-degree/certification-holding peers. (see reports on isc2 media releases) I would also strongly coach others to know that career changes are not impossible later in one's career. The key is forward motion! Keep climbing, keep learning, and don’t get stale in one place unless you choose to be still. Lead from where you are has never been more important. Do what is needed now, the rest will fall into place.
Would you recommend others to apply for a Professional Development Grant?
Certainly yes, I learned it acts as a catalyst to study harder. For example, the pressure to succeed is heavier when you know you are holding yourself accountable for the opportunity given.
What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
I love digital art and creating digital work for anyone that needs a graphic. I think that yearbook experience still lives on in me in that respect. I also love audiobooks. I love both work-related (professional development) AND science-fiction books. I have to admit I love being in my car – it’s my portal to the infinite realm of entertainment and knowledge. Oh and fitness, but they keep telling me no one wants to talk about CrossFit. HAHAAHA- my current obsession is F45.