Ann Githuki #HerCyberStory

My name is Ann Githuki, a proud Kenyan and this is my hashtag#HerCyberStory
I graduated in December 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and started sending out applications for mostly tech-related jobs. But in January, I was called for a sales executive interview.
While waiting for my turn in the interview room, a former classmate I had graduated with walked by and was delighted to see me. He worked as a software developer, and I couldn’t tell him I had come for a sales job interview. I had seen the software developer advertisement but did not think I would make it. Long story short, I got the sales job, but that got me thinking…
About a year later, I resigned from my job and started sending out applications for IT roles, trying to return to my passion, technology. I saw the advertisement for the CyberGirls Fellowship intake from a friend’s WhatsApp status. It was a golden opportunity. I have always had an interest in cybersecurity but I did not have enough money to enroll in a cybersecurity course or attain the coveted Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) training. Did I mention my laptop had recently crashed?
I completed the CyberGirls application anyway. When I got the email that I had made it into the cohort, I was thrilled. I started learning with my phone but soon started borrowing laptops from friends here and there. The pre-requisite stage at the Fellowship was challenging, but I was happy. I had made it back to technology and was pursuing my dream course; pinch me!
Around the same time, I applied for an internship position, got called for the interview, and passed. I would contribute my insights at the Company when there was an incident, thanks to the knowledge from CyberGirls training and modules. I could determine the appropriate remediation and mitigation measures for both informational and high-risk incidents. This earned me an additional three months of internship.
I could not believe it when I got an offer letter for a Security Analyst role. Not only had I made my way back into tech, but I also now had a chance to do what I love and get paid for it. We only ever dream about such things.

The CyberSafe Foundation impact on launching women into cybersecurity cannot be understated. I had always thought getting into cybersecurity would be very hard, especially for me as a woman. Women who are role models are not as many as men. However, the female mentors in the program proved me wrong. With the CyberGirls Fellowship, I see women like me from diverse backgrounds excelling in cybersecurity. Indeed, a cybersecurity career is a CyberGirls Fellowship away!

I would like to thank the CyberSafe Foundation for guiding me back to tech and for being a major factor in landing this role. I cannot thank you enough.”