Update on my online presence

 Hello friends, well here it is https://mrodriq6.wixsite.com/website. My website! It’s not that exciting but I can always update it and change it as I please. Now that we have had several classes and assignments about our online presence I can say mine is better after it all. The website makes such a huge difference in helping me stand out. With a name like mine, I get lost in the crowd on the web. I didn’t add any new social media accounts because between FB and LinkedIn I find it would be counterproductive and I truly feel that my personal website does far more than SM. I think anyone looking for a job or trying to get in a school or special program should make a personal website, highlight yourself and stand out from the crowd. It was free on Wix! And easy, definitely worth a try.

My online presence?

 Hello everyone! Nice to be back and entering my senior year. recently we (in class) have been discussing our online presence and after evaluating mine, I have to admit that it is pretty weak. I currently use Facebook for personal reasons. I love sharing memes, political posts, pictures, and just my random thoughts and opinions. I use LinkedIn in a whole different way. LinkedIn is much more professional for me. I network by adding, searching, and following different companies and influential people in Cybersecurity. I don’t share anything personal there, just my academics and relevant experiences. I have to say that just between those two SM sites I’m exhausted, I’m not sure I could juggle more than those two but it is worth a try. For our TRAin class we will be building a personal website. I will definitely keep you guys updated and share the link when it’s ready. TTYS 

The future...

 1. What are your professional goals, 1 year, 5 years and 10 years into the future? What will accomplishing these goals let you do? How will accomplishing these goals impact those around you and what will it make possible for those in your community? 

My professional goals for 1 year would be to be enrolled in grad school and to have an internship in cybersecurity secured. For 5 years, I would say that my goal would be to have a stable career that continues to grow. I hope that I continue to learn and develop my skills. In 10 years I hope to be in a position of leadership, wether that is in industry or in academia. Accomplishing these goals would mean socioeconomic stability and independence for me and my family. Accomplishing theses goals impacts everyone around me, I intend to be in a career where I can make a positive difference in peoples lives. I want to protect all people form cyber threats.  

2. What are societal challenges that matter to you that you think it's important to deal with now? What do you think are the challenges that will matter 10 years in the future, and 20 years in the future? How do you think these challenges will be addressed, and what will need to happen to make sure that they are?

I think that global warming and micro plastic contamination are the some of the most important challenges that face everyone on the planet. I believe that these two issues will still be a major concern in ten years and even twenty years, even if we make changes to mitigate the issue. I think education is huge here. If the average person cannot understand basic terminology then they will not be able to address the issue. If people can't understand the issue how can they fix it and why would they care. 

3. What is something that makes you optimistic about the future, and why? This could be something big and impersonal (improving price of Li-ion batteries) or something small and personal (a new pet). Please describe how it feels to focus on this thing that makes you optimistic, and discuss whether you think it is a good idea to be intentional about being optimistic. 

Something that makes me optimistic is that most people understand that progress is the answer, that we must continue to evolve and that change is nature. We can not stagnate as a species, we have to come together and continue to push civilization forward, whether that means new governments or completely new ideas for society, I feel pretty certain that we will continue to raise humans that want more and want to move forward. 

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.