MY FUTURE GOALS
S C H O L A R S H I P E S S AY • C Y B E R S E C U R I T Y & D I G I TA L I N F R A S T R U C T U R E
A red padlock icon on a black computer screen. That was the entirety of the ransom note that brought
my family’s independent community pharmacy to a complete standstill during my senior year of high
school. For nearly twenty years, my parents had faithfully dispensed medication to our
neighborhood, but in a matter of seconds, a ransomware attack locked us out of our patient database,
inventory logs, and billing systems. Watching my parents scramble to manually verify prescriptions
while turning away vulnerable patients was devastating. That week taught me a harsh reality:
cybersecurity is not just about protecting multinational tech conglomerates; it is about safeguarding
the critical infrastructure of everyday life.
My future career goals are deeply rooted in that moment of absolute vulnerability. I am currently a
sophomore majoring in Cybersecurity with a minor in Business Administration. My primary
objective is to become a digital forensics and security analyst specifically focused on designing
scalable, affordable security frameworks for small businesses, local healthcare clinics, and
community non-profits. These organizations are frequently targeted by cybercriminals precisely
because they lack the massive budgets required to maintain enterprise-level security protocols.
To achieve this goal, my academic roadmap extends beyond standard university coursework. The
cybersecurity field requires continuous, hands-on adaptation. Alongside maintaining a 3.85 GPA, I
am an active competitor on my university’s collegiate cyber defense team, where we simulate real-
time network intrusions. My next immediate goal is to secure my CompTIA Security+ and Certified
Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) associate certifications before graduation, which
will allow me to immediately enter the field as a qualified consultant.
