Everything I still don't know...

 1. What did you know about your field 3 years ago, and what have you learned about that has 'wowed' you? (Supplemental questions: What did you used to think was an advanced topic in your subject, and what do you think is now? What was the experience that you feel you learned the most from?)

2. What do you want to learn about over the next 3 years? (Is it scientific or personal? Why do you want to learn it? How do you plan on developing this knowledge?)

I knew close to nothing about my field three years ago. When I think back, I thought it was legal hacking and really had no idea what that entailed either. I was wowed this year to find out that hacking, is at best, about 10% of what I might do, I do not have to be a hacker to work in cybersecurity. I think a big focus of cybersecurity should be in social engineering and in attempting to be more offensive vs defensive.  

Over the next three years I want to learn about cyber forensics and principles of cybersecurity that don't necessarily involve coding. This is the first semester that I am actually getting into cybersecurity and its my junior year so I feel I have so much to learn to be a cybersecurity expert. 

The Power of Mentors

 I am writing this blog to express my gratitude to one of my mentors. Dr. Robin Cotter, she has helped me and inspired me on my educational journey in so many ways. Dr. Cotter was the person who got me into undergraduate research. She encouraged me to apply to the TRAin scholarship even when I didn't think I would get it. To my surprise I received the scholarship and not long after Dr. Cotter asked if I would like to join her project and I was beyond happy to join the team. I truly believe without Dr. Cotter's support I would not have found the amazing experience of undergraduate research which has opened so many doors for me. I am so much further in my educational journey than I thought I would be and I am in such a good place that I should be able to graduate with my bachelors with no student debt. I know that I have put so much work and time in but without her guidance and support I don't think I would be so fortunate. Thank you Dr. Cotter, for being my mentor and for being a mother in STEAM that I can look up to, you truly inspire me. Thank your mentors and if you don't have one, I recommend reaching out to that professor that sparks your curiosity and you may just end up with an amazing mentor for life. 

Student mentor Post Spring 2021: Spring break

 Hey everyone! The mixer had a great turn out. I look forward to the day we can do it in person again. So I know midterms are coming and I hope that everyone is managing their time well. If you need any help please email or text me, I will help if I can. I am in the middle of two weeks of midterms since ASU decided that we will not have a spring break due to the virus and because of that I have had my midterms spread over two weeks. Which might sound nice but I find it a bit stressful because I am still getting homework in other courses but I'll get through it, we all will. I hope the projects are going well, if anyone needs to see examples of papers please just ask I am happy to share my past work and experience. Stay safe guys.  

Student Mentor Post Spring 2021: Come to the Mixer! You'll regret it if you don't

 Hey everyone! Once again sorry about my absence last week but I was completely engulfed in funeral stuff. I am back and although I am extremely busy this week with midterms and parent teacher conferences for my kids, I wanted to take this time to remind you about the mixer this Friday. Yes this FRIDAY! While I understand that the mixer is virtual, once again, which is kind of a bummer. I want to stress what an amazing opportunity this is. The professors at ASU are taking so much time out of their extremely busy day to meet with you. They come to answer any and all questions you might have and it is a great chance to meet a potential mentor. These professor are looking for new interns and even if you do not conduct research there is a big chance that they will be one of your course professors when you transfer. Get to know them a head of time before you are just a face in a sea of 60 plus students. Honestly take it from me and other train scholars, don't let this chance pass you by. It can be hard to find a mentor once you are lost in that big crowd. And do not be intimidated, last time this was very informal and you can move to any 'table' that you find interesting. I may be in and out because I have a cybersecurity conference that I am attending that day but thankfully it is virtual so I hope to see all of you there on Friday. 

PS think of questions to ask the potential mentors now like What are they currently working on? What do they expect of the interns? Courses you need so you can be ready? Specific questions about your degree program, really almost any thing you can think of they are willing to answer.