My Hometown
I grew up in Zephyrhills, Florida, a small city in Pasco County located about 30 miles northeast of Tampa. Zephyrhills is known for its natural springs and clean water — the city's name is even tied to its reputation as a source of fresh spring water, which has been bottled and distributed commercially for decades. Despite being a smaller community, Zephyrhills has a close-knit feel and sits close enough to the Tampa Bay area to offer easy access to everything a larger metro has to offer. The warm Florida climate, flat terrain, and relaxed pace of life make it a comfortable and familiar place to call home.
My Education and Plans
I am currently pursuing a degree in Information Systems with a focus on cybersecurity. The cybersecurity track has given me exposure to topics like network security, risk management, policy development, and emerging technologies in the security space. My goal after graduation is to work in a cybersecurity-related role, ideally in areas like security operations, information assurance, or IT risk and compliance. The field is growing rapidly, and I am interested in developing skills that translate across both technical and managerial sides of the discipline. Long term, I hope to pursue certifications such as the CISSP to further establish my credentials in the industry.
My Relationship with the Internet
The internet plays a central role in nearly every part of my daily life. I use it for coursework, research, professional communication, and staying current with developments in the technology field. Beyond work and school, I use it for gaming, streaming, and connecting with others. The most important thing about the internet, to me, is its role as an equalizer — it provides access to information and tools that would otherwise require significant resources to obtain. I probably spend several hours online each day across different devices, and that time spans everything from productive tasks to casual browsing. It is hard to imagine modern life, especially in a field like information systems, without it.