My Journey in IT: From Rooting Phones to Cybersecurity
What Got Me Into IT/Security
It all started Freshman year of high school when I got my first Android phone, a Samsung Galaxy S Blaze. My friend had one very similar, and one day in class he told me about jailbreaking. He explained that by "rooting" his phone, he could install custom kernels and essentially run different versions of Android.
I was running Jellybean at the time and immediately asked him to root my phone. He warned me that it wasn't a guaranteed process—my phone could become "bricked" and rendered useless. But I was undeterred. We attempted it, but unfortunately, he wasn't successful. That's when I decided to take matters into my own hands.
Going home that day, I dove into the process myself. This was my first real exposure to the "matrix-like" universe of terminals and scripts. I remember the anticipation as I watched lines of code scroll by, wondering if the custom bootloader would work or if the phone my parents bought me would end up as an expensive paperweight. When it finally worked, I was hooked. I had discovered that technology had barriers, and more importantly, that those barriers could be overcome to create a more open and customizable experience.
My Journey So Far
When I started at California State University, San Bernardino, I wasn't entirely sure about my career path. It wasn't until the end of my sophomore year when I met with my counselor that reality set in. She informed me that I had nearly completed my General Education credits and needed to declare a major within weeks.
I took home the brochure listing all available majors and began flipping through the options—communications, liberal studies, art, psychology—nothing quite clicked until I reached the IT department section. There it was: Cybersecurity. The moment I saw it, something just felt right. It was as if all my tinkering, problem-solving, and curiosity had been leading me to this point.
Looking back, my decision-making process might not have been the most methodical, but I know I made the right choice. My journey from that uncertain student to where I am now has been filled with challenges, learning experiences, and moments of profound satisfaction.
What I Love About IT/Technology
What excites me most about IT and cybersecurity is the constant evolution. The field never stands still—there's always something new to learn, a fresh challenge to tackle, or an innovative solution to discover. I'm particularly drawn to the problem-solving aspect, whether it's securing systems, optimizing performance, or finding creative workarounds to complex issues.
I also love how technology empowers people. From the early days of rooting phones to now, I've seen firsthand how the right technical solution can open up new possibilities and remove limitations. There's a certain magic in making technology work for people, not the other way around.
Where I See This Taking Me
Looking ahead, I see myself growing into roles that allow me to combine technical expertise with strategic thinking. I'm particularly interested in cloud security and penetration testing, where I can help organizations strengthen their defenses against ever-evolving threats.
Beyond technical skills, I want to be someone who can bridge the gap between complex technical concepts and practical, real-world applications. Whether that's through leadership, education, or innovative solutions, I'm excited about the opportunity to shape the future of technology in meaningful ways.