Advancement and innovation are indeed the lifeblood of technology. Is it why we continue to improve systems whose potential most would say has been fully realized. The unknown future drives us to discovery, with the only limitations being the minds of those who endeavor to create it. I love the vastness of the tech landscape. The variety of fields matches the nuances into which one can delve. From life-saving training for medical professionals in virtual reality, to using biometrics in mobile devices to make passwords a secondary option, to 2-nanometer semiconductor chips with transistors smaller than a strand of DNA, current-day advancements appear to be expanding as quickly as the space around us. However, there is one Achilles to each of these examples, security. I have always loved computer science and some of the cybersecurity sector. However, seeing identity theft up close and observing how detrimental it can be to the average person solidified my passion for security. A new phone with the best specs, state-of-the-art medical equipment, and the fastest CPUs are useless if the systems in which they are placed are teeming with vulnerabilities. The tools we use to deliver medical care can become points from which information is extracted and held hostage by bad actors. The same goes for smartphones with lax security protocols and computers not set up to handle cyberattacks. The possibilities mentioned above are why cybersecurity is so necessary and the need for cyber analysts so great. Currently, I am entering the field of cybersecurity through IT. I currently work with Fortbend ISD in Houston, TX. My responsibilities include troubleshooting devices for software malfunctions, checking inventory, checking for physical damage, and creating reports for IT analysts to check. I find that understanding the nuances of a school's VPN not behaving properly or a device's wireless card needing a driver update helps me understand larger matters, such as virtual students not being able to attend class. In addition to gaining experience in my current position, I use the tools around me to expand my understanding of networks, home security vulnerabilities, and mobile devices. Setting up a home lab to test weaknesses in my own devices has broadened my understanding of cybersecurity and IT further than any other medium I have used. I love learning new ways an attacker may take advantage of a small business or home office to defend myself and those around me better. If I were to sum up my passion into one mission statement it would be that every person should be able to enjoy the fruits of innovation without sacrificing peace of mind.

Advancement and innovation are indeed the lifeblood of technology. Is it why we continue to improve systems whose potential most would say has been fully realized. The unknown future drives us to discovery, with the only limitations being the minds of those who endeavor to create it. I love the vastness of the tech landscape. The variety of fields matches the nuances into which one can delve. From life-saving training for medical professionals in virtual reality, to using biometrics in mobile devices to make passwords a secondary option, to 2-nanometer semiconductor chips with transistors smaller than a strand of DNA, current-day advancements appear to be expanding as quickly as the space around us. However, there is one Achilles to each of these examples, security. I have always loved computer science and some of the cybersecurity sector. However, seeing identity theft up close and observing how detrimental it can be to the average person solidified my passion for security. A new phone with the best specs, state-of-the-art medical equipment, and the fastest CPUs are useless if the systems in which they are placed are teeming with vulnerabilities. The tools we use to deliver medical care can become points from which information is extracted and held hostage by bad actors. The same goes for smartphones with lax security protocols and computers not set up to handle cyberattacks. The possibilities mentioned above are why cybersecurity is so necessary and the need for cyber analysts so great. Currently, I am entering into the field of cybersecurity through IT. I currently work with Fortbend ISD in Houston, TX. My responsibilities include troubleshooting devices for software malfunctions, checking inventory, checking for physical damage, and creating reports for IT analysts to check. I find that understanding the nuances of a school's VPN not behaving properly or a device's wireless card needing a driver update help me understand larger matters, such as virtual students not being able to attend class. In addition to gaining experience in my current position, I use the tools around me to expand my understanding of networks, home security vulnerabilities, and mobile device. Setting up a home lab to test weaknesses in my own devices has broadened my understanding of cybersecurity and IT further than any other medium I have used. I love learning new ways in which an attacker may take advantage of a small business or home office in order to better defend myself and those around me. If I were to sum up my passion into one mission statement in would be that every person should be able to enjoy the fruits of innovation without sacrificing peace of mind.

Computers have always acted as the conduit for the intangible to become a reality. I became interested in the architecture upon which they were based around age sixteen. My interest sparked from a summer class that I took during the summer of 2017, on a whim. Learning about how computers were built, in both the physical and software sense, was mind-blowing; each part of the computer could be interchanged or upgraded. The mere fact that the physical hardware, software, visual components, and inputs could all be altered to mirror the mind of its creator or user opened innumerable possibilities to my mind. Since my initial discovery of computer science, I have constantly surrounded myself with resources and people dedicated to computer science and software engineering. Any chance I can make, I am reading up on new coding project ideas, developing future business models revolving around software, and thinking of new ways to incorporate safety measures and privacy protection into our ever-growing computer-reliant society. I hope to one day make mobile applications and desktop software safer to use, on a wide-spread scale, without the use of privacy-compromising features or intrusive data-gathering. After my degree completion in Computer Science and Business Administration, I will immediately begin working on my Master's degree. I hope to learn as much as I can while in my career until I feel that I have the resources necessary to build a company that specializes in cybersecurity. The software firm will develop and maintain online security solutions tailored either to specific issues or general security. The company will help to create new jobs within the growing STEM fields and will aid to close the deficit between the current workforce and those required to fill future career positions. In addition to the software firm, I will found and fund educational resources focused on sending free electronics, computer software, and books to underprivileged children (ages 10-18) within the United States. One belief that I hold dear is that the lack of education is the root of most of the world's hate, ignorance, crime, lack of resources, and greed that is seen today. Computer Science is a growing field and resources for those that are uneducated are not growing at the same rate. Those that seek to make a difference in the world must first understand the world itself. If they are not properly prepared with the adequate tools and educational resources necessary for them to flourish, those same people will become victims, not leaders. I know that I am the best candidate for the Chris Jackson scholarship as I have a goal that reflects Chris' character. I want those that feel that their situation defines them to have the resources to push themselves to the height that they desire. I believe Chris was a great listener because he cared for people. I wish for people to feel cared for so that they do not feel as though they have to walk alone on their path to change the world.