“I’m Cassandra Chibueze, a fresh Pharmacy graduate from the University of Ilorin. But wait, there’s a twist! My journey took an exciting detour into the world of cybersecurity in 2022, during a 9-month school strike. The idea of safeguarding digital health ignited a spark in me, leading me to the CyberGirls Fellowship program. The best part? My twin sister and I embarked on this adventure together!
My journey into cybersecurity began in 2022, during a 9-month school strike. As a Pharmacy student at the University of Ilorin, I was trained to focus on the physical health of people. However, I often found myself wondering about the digital health of individuals and businesses. Who were the people ensuring safety in the online space? This curiosity led me to the field of cybersecurity. The more I learned about cybersecurity, the more I fell in love with it. I was particularly drawn to the aspect of protecting digital health, which seemed like a natural extension of my Pharmacy training. During this time, I stumbled upon the CyberGirls 3.0 application form through a post shared with me on Instagram by my twin. Seeing it as a perfect opportunity to delve deeper into cybersecurity, my twin sister (who also shares a keen interest in the field) and I decided to apply. Thankfully, we both got accepted into the program.
For my sister and I, balancing the demands of the CyberGirls Fellowship and our final year of Pharmacy was challenging, but we helped each other through it. We would teach each other what we learned in our respective courses and work on our assessments together. In addition to my sister, I was fortunate to have the support of my mentors and friends. My mentors provided invaluable guidance and insights, helping me navigate through the complexities of the cybersecurity field. My friends, on the other hand, offered moral support and encouragement, which kept me motivated during tough times. This collaborative approach not only helped us graduate as pharmacists in December and as CyberGirls in November 2023 but also prepared us for our future careers in cybersecurity.
One of the most valuable skills I gained from the CyberGirls Fellowship was a foundational understanding of cybersecurity. This knowledge was instrumental in landing my first job in cybersecurity. The incident response simulation project that I carried out with my team during the Fellowship significantly enhanced my understanding of incident response, a topic that came up during my job interview. CyberGirls Fellowship equipped me with the technical knowledge, soft skills, and professional network that I needed to hit the ground running in my first cybersecurity job.
Life after the CyberGirls Fellowship has been a thrilling roller coaster ride! The Fellowship was our golden ticket to an internship at Digiss. Out of 1000 applicants, my twin sister and I both made it to the top 6!…
