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Your Journey Inspires Mine — A Few Questions?
Hello, my name is Abigail, and I’m a senior in college. I’m interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity, specifically as a cybersecurity analyst. I’m currently applying for a scholarship, and one of the requirements is to ask a professional in the field four questions from the list below. I would truly appreciate your time and insight, as I’m eager to learn more about this career path.
Please select any four questions to answer. Thank you so much.
What initially inspired you to pursue the industry you are currently in?
What is one important piece of advice you would give someone like me who is considering entering your field?
What was the biggest hurdle you encountered when you were first getting started, and how did you overcome it?
Which college courses had the most lasting impact on your career?
What aspects of your career did you not know about or consider when you were starting out?
What are some things I should be doing outside of school to prepare for a career in this field?
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3 answers
Amanda Quigley , MBA, PROSCI
Sr Program Lead Strategic Operations
1
Answer
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
Hi Abigail,
Congratulations on making it to the last year of college! I have had many "consultant/ program lead" positions and strategy positions within my career. When I first started my career I was not sure what I wanted to do when I grew up. Somedays I feel like I am still trying to figure it out. Each position within my career I have learned many valuable lessons along the way and have make some great mentors and leaders.
What initially inspired you to pursue the industry you are currently in?
I currently lead strategic operations ( across all business functions) for a company that has just been acquired in July 2025. Where I am today in strategy has come from the many different companies, many teams, and leadership positions I have held in the past. I have always wanted to make a difference in the world. I believe that people might not remember your name but they will always remember that you made them feel heard and valued. 10 years ago in corporate cyber security was a "buzz" word. Now it is an important aspect of all companies across the globe. This is an area that is serious and needs to always be learning the best ways to protect your company's assets.
* What is one important piece of advice you would give someone like me who is considering entering your field?
Cybersecurity is an extremely vast field, with hundreds of different paths and roles as well as always revolving and discovering new things. I would say the following three best pieces of advice I wish I had when I first started my career. 1- Always be a life long learner. This is important because in the world of technology and cyber security things change very quickly and some times unexpectedly. 2- Remain open minded and flexible. Change is challenging for everyone but it also what makes innovation possible by thinking outside the box and trying something different. 3- Your network is your net worth. Meaning that each person that you meet will have many ideas, opinions and ways they want things done. Take what you want and leave the other ideas behind. -- When you put that all together be flexible, open minded, and remember no idea is a dumb idea, and sometimes the best ideas are the ones that come from the people or yourself when least expected.
* What was the biggest hurdle you encountered when you were first getting started, and how did you overcome it? What aspects of your career did you not know about or consider when you were starting out?
When I first started out I was one of the very few women in IT and in security. Many times I would be in meetings and surrounded by men that didn't think that my thoughts and/or ideas were important. For me to overcome some of the challenges in the beginning of my career, I leaned on a "champion" within the organization, someone that would support and mentor me as I was learning and he helped me adjust to the company culture. He would always say that everyone has an opinion but not everyone's opinion matters. Always believe in yourself and trust that if you are doing your best work and working with integrity it will always work out in the end.
Those are some of my thoughts and ideas that I hope you find value in reading. I wish you all the best in your career. You are a star and continue to shine and always believe in yourself!
All the best,
Amanda
Congratulations on making it to the last year of college! I have had many "consultant/ program lead" positions and strategy positions within my career. When I first started my career I was not sure what I wanted to do when I grew up. Somedays I feel like I am still trying to figure it out. Each position within my career I have learned many valuable lessons along the way and have make some great mentors and leaders.
What initially inspired you to pursue the industry you are currently in?
I currently lead strategic operations ( across all business functions) for a company that has just been acquired in July 2025. Where I am today in strategy has come from the many different companies, many teams, and leadership positions I have held in the past. I have always wanted to make a difference in the world. I believe that people might not remember your name but they will always remember that you made them feel heard and valued. 10 years ago in corporate cyber security was a "buzz" word. Now it is an important aspect of all companies across the globe. This is an area that is serious and needs to always be learning the best ways to protect your company's assets.
* What is one important piece of advice you would give someone like me who is considering entering your field?
Cybersecurity is an extremely vast field, with hundreds of different paths and roles as well as always revolving and discovering new things. I would say the following three best pieces of advice I wish I had when I first started my career. 1- Always be a life long learner. This is important because in the world of technology and cyber security things change very quickly and some times unexpectedly. 2- Remain open minded and flexible. Change is challenging for everyone but it also what makes innovation possible by thinking outside the box and trying something different. 3- Your network is your net worth. Meaning that each person that you meet will have many ideas, opinions and ways they want things done. Take what you want and leave the other ideas behind. -- When you put that all together be flexible, open minded, and remember no idea is a dumb idea, and sometimes the best ideas are the ones that come from the people or yourself when least expected.
* What was the biggest hurdle you encountered when you were first getting started, and how did you overcome it? What aspects of your career did you not know about or consider when you were starting out?
When I first started out I was one of the very few women in IT and in security. Many times I would be in meetings and surrounded by men that didn't think that my thoughts and/or ideas were important. For me to overcome some of the challenges in the beginning of my career, I leaned on a "champion" within the organization, someone that would support and mentor me as I was learning and he helped me adjust to the company culture. He would always say that everyone has an opinion but not everyone's opinion matters. Always believe in yourself and trust that if you are doing your best work and working with integrity it will always work out in the end.
Those are some of my thoughts and ideas that I hope you find value in reading. I wish you all the best in your career. You are a star and continue to shine and always believe in yourself!
All the best,
Amanda
Thank you so much, Amanda!
Abigail
Updated
Siva’s Answer
Hi Abigail,
These are thoughtful questions. I want to start by saying that it is completely okay to feel uncertain while you are still in college. Very few people truly know where they will land at this stage, and that uncertainty does not mean you are behind. Looking back at my own journey, every experience I had, including the ones I did not fully understand at the time, shaped who I am today and prepared me for the work I do now. Stay curious, keep learning, and trust that consistent effort will create clarity over time.
What initially inspired you to pursue the industry you are currently in?
I currently lead technology for a cybersecurity startup, even though I did not have a cybersecurity background when I first entered the space. What truly inspired me was not the field itself, but the purpose behind the work. My passion has always been to save patients’ lives in healthcare by using technology, which is where my strengths lie. When you use your strengths to meaningfully add value to the world, inspiration and motivation follow naturally. That purpose continues to push me to work harder and grow deeper in the field.
* What is one important piece of advice you would give someone like me who is considering entering your field?
Cybersecurity is an extremely vast field, with hundreds of different paths and roles. A few habits can put you ahead of the curve: commit to learning every day, consistently ask how you can add value, and invest in communication skills. It is one thing to be technically capable, but it is equally important to explain complex ideas in a way others can understand. That skill alone can set you apart.
* What was the biggest hurdle you encountered when you were first getting started, and how did you overcome it? What aspects of your career did you not know about or consider when you were starting out?
Even with decades of experience in technology and leadership, entering the cybersecurity space as a newcomer was challenging. I had to intentionally upskill by continuously learning, practicing, and engaging with communities through groups and forums across different platforms. What I did not fully anticipate was how important self confidence would be. I had to create a clear plan, execute it consistently, and prove to myself that I could grow into the role. That process was critical in building confidence.
* What are some things I should be doing outside of school to prepare for a career in this field?
Focus on identifying your strengths and continuously improving them. Seek out projects, internships, or volunteering opportunities where you can apply those strengths and gain real world experience. Most importantly, stay curious and eager to learn. Consistent effort outside the classroom is what bridges the gap between education and career readiness.
Hope this helps. Best wishes!
- Siva
These are thoughtful questions. I want to start by saying that it is completely okay to feel uncertain while you are still in college. Very few people truly know where they will land at this stage, and that uncertainty does not mean you are behind. Looking back at my own journey, every experience I had, including the ones I did not fully understand at the time, shaped who I am today and prepared me for the work I do now. Stay curious, keep learning, and trust that consistent effort will create clarity over time.
What initially inspired you to pursue the industry you are currently in?
I currently lead technology for a cybersecurity startup, even though I did not have a cybersecurity background when I first entered the space. What truly inspired me was not the field itself, but the purpose behind the work. My passion has always been to save patients’ lives in healthcare by using technology, which is where my strengths lie. When you use your strengths to meaningfully add value to the world, inspiration and motivation follow naturally. That purpose continues to push me to work harder and grow deeper in the field.
* What is one important piece of advice you would give someone like me who is considering entering your field?
Cybersecurity is an extremely vast field, with hundreds of different paths and roles. A few habits can put you ahead of the curve: commit to learning every day, consistently ask how you can add value, and invest in communication skills. It is one thing to be technically capable, but it is equally important to explain complex ideas in a way others can understand. That skill alone can set you apart.
* What was the biggest hurdle you encountered when you were first getting started, and how did you overcome it? What aspects of your career did you not know about or consider when you were starting out?
Even with decades of experience in technology and leadership, entering the cybersecurity space as a newcomer was challenging. I had to intentionally upskill by continuously learning, practicing, and engaging with communities through groups and forums across different platforms. What I did not fully anticipate was how important self confidence would be. I had to create a clear plan, execute it consistently, and prove to myself that I could grow into the role. That process was critical in building confidence.
* What are some things I should be doing outside of school to prepare for a career in this field?
Focus on identifying your strengths and continuously improving them. Seek out projects, internships, or volunteering opportunities where you can apply those strengths and gain real world experience. Most importantly, stay curious and eager to learn. Consistent effort outside the classroom is what bridges the gap between education and career readiness.
Hope this helps. Best wishes!
- Siva
Thank you so much Siva. Your responses relate to me in a way. I truly appreciate your answers to the questions
Abigail
Updated
Pawanesh’s Answer
Hi Abigail,
All of your questions are excellent and completely understandable for someone interested in starting a career in cybersecurity. I’d be happy to share some insights from my industry experience.
* What initially inspired you to pursue the industry you are currently in?
For more than a decade I worked on Legacy Systems called Mainframes which process tremendous amount of data every millisecond but this work field was getting modernized as many companies started moving away from Legacy Systems to more modern and less expensive ones. I started learning a product called Identity Security Cloud which is an Identity Governance and Administration product. The reason I chose this product is because I wanted to learn more about cloud systems and also get into Cyber Security domain which is very well connected to it.
* What is one important piece of advice you would give someone like me who is considering entering your field?
Cyber Security is a very vast field and I am aligned with Identity and Access Management where we need to bridge technical expertise (such as authentication, authorization, directory services, and security protocols) with an understanding of how people, processes, and regulations impact access controls. Success in IAM isn’t just about configuring systems—it’s also about aligning solutions to real-world business needs. You should have interest in topics like what happens to an Identity (person who joins a new company, moves to a new title/department or leaves a company).
* What was the biggest hurdle you encountered when you were first getting started, and how did you overcome it?
Coming from a legacy mainframe background, I was used to environments where a deep, one-time understanding of a product could take you a long way. That experience didn’t fully prepare me for the world of cybersecurity, where change is constant—new attacks and issues emerge almost daily, and experts are always devising new solutions. When I began learning this product, I found myself having to refresh and update my skills continuously, and I still do to this day. Every day brings a new challenge, but I’ve grown to genuinely enjoy this dynamic environment.
What are some things I should be doing outside of school to prepare for a career in this field?
* In case if you are interested in Cyber Security Identity then there are various companies who support this platform. For example SailPoint and Saviynt. Check their portals and get more information. Employers value curiosity, practical skills, and up-to-date knowledge—showing you’re engaged outside the classroom will set you apart in interviews and early roles. Some of the tips that I can give are:
a) Practice with Open-Source Tools: Explore tools like FreeIPA, OpenLDAP to understand real-world IAM concepts.
b) Follow Industry Trends & News about Cyber Security.
c) Attend Capture The Flag (CTF) Competitions :
- https://tryhackme.com/
- https://ctftime.org/ (This can give some event details and timing)
Hope this helps.
Best regards
Pawanesh
All of your questions are excellent and completely understandable for someone interested in starting a career in cybersecurity. I’d be happy to share some insights from my industry experience.
* What initially inspired you to pursue the industry you are currently in?
For more than a decade I worked on Legacy Systems called Mainframes which process tremendous amount of data every millisecond but this work field was getting modernized as many companies started moving away from Legacy Systems to more modern and less expensive ones. I started learning a product called Identity Security Cloud which is an Identity Governance and Administration product. The reason I chose this product is because I wanted to learn more about cloud systems and also get into Cyber Security domain which is very well connected to it.
* What is one important piece of advice you would give someone like me who is considering entering your field?
Cyber Security is a very vast field and I am aligned with Identity and Access Management where we need to bridge technical expertise (such as authentication, authorization, directory services, and security protocols) with an understanding of how people, processes, and regulations impact access controls. Success in IAM isn’t just about configuring systems—it’s also about aligning solutions to real-world business needs. You should have interest in topics like what happens to an Identity (person who joins a new company, moves to a new title/department or leaves a company).
* What was the biggest hurdle you encountered when you were first getting started, and how did you overcome it?
Coming from a legacy mainframe background, I was used to environments where a deep, one-time understanding of a product could take you a long way. That experience didn’t fully prepare me for the world of cybersecurity, where change is constant—new attacks and issues emerge almost daily, and experts are always devising new solutions. When I began learning this product, I found myself having to refresh and update my skills continuously, and I still do to this day. Every day brings a new challenge, but I’ve grown to genuinely enjoy this dynamic environment.
What are some things I should be doing outside of school to prepare for a career in this field?
* In case if you are interested in Cyber Security Identity then there are various companies who support this platform. For example SailPoint and Saviynt. Check their portals and get more information. Employers value curiosity, practical skills, and up-to-date knowledge—showing you’re engaged outside the classroom will set you apart in interviews and early roles. Some of the tips that I can give are:
a) Practice with Open-Source Tools: Explore tools like FreeIPA, OpenLDAP to understand real-world IAM concepts.
b) Follow Industry Trends & News about Cyber Security.
c) Attend Capture The Flag (CTF) Competitions :
- https://tryhackme.com/
- https://ctftime.org/ (This can give some event details and timing)
Hope this helps.
Best regards
Pawanesh