My interest in cybersecurity grew out of my broader passion for computer science. While I’m not specializing exclusively in cybersecurity, I’ve been exposed to various security-related concepts through my coursework and personal projects. I find the field fascinating because it combines problem-solving, creativity, and diligence in a way that few other areas of technology do. Cybersecurity is all about digging beneath the surface, reverse-engineering issues to understand the root causes, and figuring out how to thwart potential threats or malicious attacks. There’s a certain thrill in being able to track down a bug or vulnerability, understand how it works, and then devise a strategy to prevent it from harming a system or network. One of the challenges I initially faced was gaining a clear, holistic understanding of what cybersecurity actually entails. There’s so much more to it than hacking and firewalls—topics range from cryptography and network security to social engineering and risk management. To overcome that sense of overwhelm, I turned to multiple resources, including online courses, forums, and discussions with peers who had more experience in the field. By steadily working through tutorials, capturing the flag (CTF) challenges, and reading about real-world security breaches, I started building a more complete picture of how cybersecurity operates on various levels. Another obstacle involved the sheer volume of information and the constantly evolving nature of online threats. It can feel like a never-ending race, where attackers develop new exploits as quickly as defenders patch the old ones. However, I’ve come to see this as part of the excitement. Cybersecurity is not a field where you can ever be truly complacent; it demands continuous learning and adaptation. Embracing that mindset helped me shift from seeing it as an insurmountable challenge to recognizing it as an opportunity for perpetual growth. These experiences have definitely shaped my perspective on the role of security in all of my future projects. Whether I’m coding a simple website or diving deeper into networking concepts, I always have security at the back of my mind—how do I protect user data, prevent unauthorized access, and ensure that any potential loopholes are closed off? Ultimately, when we’re on the internet, we expect a safe environment, and I take that responsibility seriously. In my future goals, I plan to carry forward this awareness and commitment to safety, not just for myself but for everyone interacting online. By continuing to explore cybersecurity within the broader scope of computer science, I hope to help build systems that people can trust, ensuring that innovation goes hand in hand with protection and peace of mind.

I’ve always been the type of person who believes in the importance of helping others, but it wasn’t until I started volunteering at the St. Francis House in downtown Boston that I truly began to understand the difference even small acts of kindness can make in someone’s life. The St. Francis House is a shelter that provides meals, clothing, and a safe space for people who are experiencing homelessness or are otherwise in need. My role there was to prepare meals, which meant arriving early in the morning to help set up the kitchen, chop vegetables, cook food, and ensure that everything was ready to serve by the time the guests arrived. Walking into the shelter for the first time, I’ll admit I felt a little anxious, not knowing exactly what to expect. However, the staff and other volunteers welcomed me with open arms, and I quickly realized that every single person there had the same goal: to help people feel less alone and more cared for. Together, we worked in a busy but harmonious kitchen, exchanging stories and laughter as we prepped ingredients and tried out new recipes. I was struck by the incredible sense of community that forms when individuals from all walks of life come together for a common cause. It reminded me that every person has unique strengths and experiences, and when we pool those talents, we can make a huge impact. One of the most eye-opening parts of volunteering at St. Francis House was getting to know some of the people who relied on its services. I learned that many of them faced challenges I’d never even considered before mental health struggles, a lack of family support, or simply falling on hard times and not having a safety net to catch them. I realized that homelessness isn’t some distant or abstract problem; it’s a reality that could happen to any one of us if certain circumstances lined up in the worst possible way. Hearing these stories made me more aware of how fragile our personal situations can be, and it deepened my empathy for people who find themselves in that position. Moving forward, I plan to continue this work by looking for ways to offer support in my everyday life. Sometimes, support might mean offering practical help related to my field of study maybe I can share my knowledge or skills with someone who’s trying to get back on their feet. Other times, it could be as simple as offering a few dollars for a meal or an Uber ride if that’s what someone needs to make it to a job interview or a doctor’s appointment. Even though these gestures seem small, I’ve seen firsthand how they can make a big difference in someone’s day. Volunteering at St. Francis House opened my eyes to the true power of compassion and community. It taught me that no one is immune to hardship and that kindness can go a long way toward helping people regain their dignity and hope. I plan on carrying these lessons with me wherever I go, and I hope to inspire others to look for opportunities to help, no matter how big or small. I genuinely believe that if we all pitch in even just a little we can create a world where no one has to feel alone in their struggles.

I’m currently working toward my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, and I’m excited about all the possibilities my future holds. I’m focused on expanding my knowledge in areas like software development, data structures, and algorithms, while also learning about emerging technologies that could shape the way we live and work. Once I graduate, I hope to secure a position at a tech company where I genuinely enjoy working or starting a company that has a meaningful impact on individuals. Both of these paths would allow me to contribute meaningful solutions to the tech world. In my free time, I enjoy participating in coding challenges and reading about groundbreaking topics in tech that could revolutionize industries, such as artificial intelligence or blockchain. With this approach, I’m learning to become more adaptable, creative, and open-minded. With each step forward, I’m reminded that success in technology isn’t just about writing great code, but also about making a positive difference in society. I also look forward to contributing more extensively to open-source communities, since sharing knowledge and collaborating with others can spark new ideas and bring about meaningful progress. Outside of school, I stay connected to my community by regularly attending services at my local church. It’s a place where I can meet new people, grow spiritually, and find support when juggling coursework and personal responsibilities. Through church activities and volunteering, I’ve seen how giving back and staying involved can truly make a difference in people’s lives and strengthen the bonds that hold our community together. One of my biggest achievements so far has been building up my coding portfolio. Each project, whether it’s a simple web application or a more complex software tool, teaches me something new and challenges me to think in different ways. These hands-on experiences give me the confidence to tackle larger-scale projects in the future and push the boundaries of what I can create. As soon as I start paying down my student loans, I’ll have more freedom to invest in both my personal and professional growth. I plan to split the funds I save between a savings account for financial stability, a trading account to potentially grow my investments, and courses or workshops that will help me sharpen my skills. Whether it’s attending tech conferences or mentoring peers, I’m committed to reinvesting in myself and contributing to the broader community. Ultimately, this strategy will help me become a more effective developer, a better leader, and a stronger supporter of those around me.

Growing up in Boston, my neighborhood and the city's sports culture shaped a lot of how I see things, especially when it comes to learning and problem-solving. Calculus might seem like a complicated and intimidating subject to many people, but it’s similar to what Boston sports taught me: it’s not just about trying hard, it’s about understanding how things work, how they change, and how small adjustments can make a big difference. Just like watching the Celtics win championships, calculus is about thinking strategically and staying a step ahead. In STEM, calculus is everywhere. It’s essential for solving tough problems, whether you’re writing a basic computer script or programming an AI project. Coding, for example, isn't just typing out commands, it’s about understanding how your code interacts with data and how to make it run better. Calculus is the math behind that. In AI, it’s what helps machines learn from their mistakes and improve over time, just like how a coach adjusts plays based on what’s happening on the court. When I think back to how I had to make decisions about who to hang out with in my neighborhood, calculus is similar, it’s about figuring things out based on what’s happening and making adjustments accordingly. But here’s the thing: calculus has a reputation for being scary, especially for young students. If we could introduce calculus in a way that feels fun and relatable, I think more young students would be interested in it. The same way Boston sports showed me that effort can lead to continuous wins, I believe that showing students the practical, hands-on side of calculus could make it feel less intimidating. Whether it’s through coding games, building simple projects, or connecting it to real-life things they care about, they’ll start to see calculus as a tool to achieve their goals, not as some impossible hurdle. For instance, imagine teaching students to code a game where the characters move faster or slower based on their distance from an object. They’re using calculus without even realizing it! That’s how we can make math more fun and show them how it applies to things they’re already interested in, like technology or even sports. It turns something abstract into something they can see and interact with. Calculus is more than just a class. It’s a way of understanding how the world works, just like how growing up in my neighborhood and watching Boston sports teams shaped the way I approach life. It helps you recognize patterns, make decisions, and improve outcomes. By introducing future generations to calculus in a friendly, approachable way, we can help them realize their potential, not just in STEM, but in anything they want to achieve. The same way Boston inspired me to work hard and aim high, I believe calculus can be that tool to help them push forward and succeed.

"Resilience is not about avoiding hardships; it's about facing them head-on, learning from them, and becoming stronger in the process." - Unknown One winter afternoon, as the sun was starting to set and the streets were covered in a light blanket of sleet, I was headed to my cousin's house. Little did I know, that would be the day that scarred me. Both my car and the vehicle involved in the crash had a slight collision and were damaged. All parties involved were able to walk away but some events occurred after that I had to overcome. There was emotional distress. This car accident resulted in emotional distress such as shock, anxiety, fear, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for a short period. The emotional impact of the car accident affected my mental health, relationships, and daily functioning. It also resulted in a fear of driving and being a passenger in a vehicle, which limited my mobility and independence. This accident was also a financial burden. What most don't realize is, even a minor car accident can result in financial costs, such as repair or replacement of the damaged vehicle, medical bills, insurance deductibles, and potential legal fees. During this accident, food and grocery delivery was my primary source of income. So without my car, I could not work for a whole month and I had to use Lyft to get around most of the time. These unexpected expenses put a strain on my finances and lead to financial setbacks, especially since I did not have adequate insurance coverage or savings to cover the costs. No matter how big or small your accident was, it can disrupt your routine. A minor car accident can disrupt individuals' daily routines, such as commuting to work, attending appointments, or engaging in recreational activities. This disruption can result in missed opportunities, delays, or inconvenience, which can impact individuals' productivity, relationships, and overall well-being. As I mentioned previously, I was using my vehicle as my primary source of income doing food delivery, so that set me back financially for a bit. While there were minor physical injuries, these injuries could have caused pain and discomfort and may have required medical treatment, rehabilitation, or time off from work. What I learned is that the impact of a car accident can vary depending on the circumstances and individuals' resilience and coping skills. This whole experience helped me deal with challenges that I would be facing later on in life.

"Constant elevation causes expansion" - Jay-Z I remember first hearing that quote in a Rap Radar interview with Jay-Z and it stuck to my mind like glue. He further explains it's about not restricting or limiting yourself when it comes to anything in life. He also continues to reiterate that quote almost like he's trying to cement it in your mind. Growing up, kids from my community had a very narrow point of view when it came to their "dream jobs". It usually consisted of being a rapper, professional athlete, or an illegal activity and that was due to the lack of visibility of other careers. I would not advocate against pursuing a career as a rapper or a professional athlete but the chances are very slim and as a community, we should not pigeonhole ourselves when it comes to career options. Our career options should be plentiful. Now, with social media, conferences, and platforms like AfroTech highlighting black people in tech, there's much more of a focus on it and I love that. AfroTech was founded by Blavity and it’s where founders and employees of some of the fastest-growing tech startups present the tactics & strategies they use to grow their products and businesses. When I receive my BS in Computer Science, I will use my degree in several ways. First, I will increase representation. Having my degree can lead to greater representation of us in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, promoting diversity and inclusion in these industries. Secondly, when I move up the corporate ranks and or start my own company, I will provide career opportunities. When we can provide or obtain more career opportunities and higher-paying jobs, it will lead to increased economic mobility and stability for individuals and families. Thirdly, I will make sure it helps us become better problem solvers. When we equip individuals with the skills to analyze and solve complex problems, it can be applied to address challenges facing our community, such as health disparities and limited access to resources. Lastly, I will focus on community development. With my mind and others, we can leverage our mindsets to develop new technologies and innovations that can improve the quality of life in our communities and promote sustainable growth. By pursuing a career in STEM, I can contribute to the growth and development of our communities and help address some of the challenges we collectively face.