career aspirations and goals

My major area of study is cybersecurity, a field that is both directly related to my academic interests and my longterm career aspirations. My goal is to pursue a career as a red team analyst or engineer, where I will focus on simulating cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen security systems. I foresee myself working remotely at a cybersecurity company assisting commercial organizations by testing their defenses and reporting my findings. I chose this path because I have always enjoyed working with computers and recognized early on that this was an area where I could develop skills and knowledge that I would actually enjoy using. The combination of technical problem solving, creativity, and critical thinking outside the box in cybersecurity makes it a good fit for me.

I already have some valuable experience in this career area. As a member of the University of South Florida’s CyberHerd team, I have had the opportunity to participate in national competitions that test and practice skills in penetration testing, defense strategies, and team-based problem solving. These competitions have not only improved my technical abilities but also strengthened my teamwork and communication skills, which are important in cybersecurity career environments. In addition, I interned at CyberFlorida as a SOC (Security Operations Center) analyst, where I gained hands-on experience in monitoring and analyzing security alerts, responding to incidents, and working with professional tools in a real security environment. These experiences have given me a strong foundation and efficient practice on the type of work I want to pursue.

To further prepare for my career, I have used various online platforms and resources that specialize in cybersecurity training. Some of the most useful have been TryHackMe, HackTheBox, and MetaCTF, which provide interactive labs, modules, and challenges designed to mimic real-world scenarios. These resources have heavily helped me build technical skills in areas such as penetration testing, system exploitation, and digital forensics. Without these resources, I would not know nearly as much as I do now, and they taught me fundamental concepts that will stick with me throughout my cybersecurity career. They also give me the opportunity to practice in a safe, controlled environment while keeping up with the latest trends and tools in the field.

Looking forward, my plan is to continue building my skill set and resume so that I can land a position as a red team analyst. I aim to pursue additional certifications, such as the OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) and the CRTO (Certified Red Team Operator), which will demonstrate my technical abilities to future employers. At the same time, I will continue developing my practical skills through competitions, internships, and independent learning.

In conclusion, my academic background in cybersecurity, combined with my experience through CyberHerd, my internship with CyberFlorida, and online training resources, has prepared me well for my future career. By continuing to gain certifications and real-world practice, I am confident that I will achieve my goal of becoming a red team analyst or engineer. This career path not only matches my interests and abilities but also allows me to contribute to protecting organizations from evolving cyber threats.