📘 Finding My Path Forward in Cybersecurity | Part 3

After earning my Network+ certification and diving into the world of networking, it became clear that I had a real knack for this — and more importantly, a genuine passion. IT and Cybersecurity just clicked for me. I loved learning how networks worked, how systems talked to each other, and how vulnerabilities could be found and fixed. But after a big life move, I had to ask myself: What now? Where do I go from here?

🎯 Searching for the Right Next Step

Living in a new state meant new opportunities, but also new obstacles. I started looking for schools or programs that could help me continue where I left off — somewhere I could deepen my knowledge in IT and Cybersecurity. Thankfully, I discovered that a well-known university was practically in my backyard (metaphorically speaking). The only catch? Like many universities, the price tag was steep.

In the meantime, I found a job at a call center as a Senior Supervisor, where I spent about a year and a half learning the ins and outs of call flow systems. I was fascinated by how traffic was routed and tracked — it gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how tech powered business operations. It wasn’t a tech job exactly, but it kept my brain working and added a layer of understanding about real-world infrastructure.

🎓 A Game-Changing Opportunity

Then, an opportunity opened up at that local university — a job with real potential. If I could get in, my Bachelor's degree would be covered 100%. I applied, went through multiple rounds of interviews, and even had to complete a mock call to demonstrate how I handle pressure and problem-solving. After all that, I was thrilled to be offered the job.

Naturally, once I was in, I started looking into their tech and cybersecurity degree programs. I was ready to go — motivated, excited, and finally back on track. But like many things in life, it wasn’t that simple.

🚧 Roadblocks from the Past

When I tried to enroll, an issue from my past came back to haunt me. The school I had previously transferred to (after my original program shut down) had some unresolved financial issues, and those complications made it difficult to obtain my transcripts and move forward with admissions and financial aid.

It was a frustrating setback — especially after making so much progress — but it didn’t break my motivation. If anything, it added to the story of persistence and resilience that continues to shape my journey.

Part I | Part 2 | Part 4