Study abroad crystalizes student's career plans in cybersecurity
Natalie Sylvester and her classmates broadened their knowledge of cybersecurity and explored career options in 苏格兰 while immersing themselves in a new culture.
Along with exploring Scottish culture, Natalie Sylvester found the niche within cybersecurity she wants to pursue.
When Natalie Sylvester enrolled in a course that included 10 days at Abertay University in 苏格兰, she hit the higher education trifecta: She deepened her knowledge of the cybersecurity analytics and operations major, 巩固了她的职业规划, and met the Scots people and experienced their way of life.
在这门课之前, I wasn’t sure what area I wanted to go into because with cybersecurity, 机会无穷无尽,她说. "I’ve always been really interested in forensics, and at Abertay University, we explored forensics. The students there talked highly of these programs, so it showed me that a career in cyber forensics is what I plan to do."
The cross-disciplinary course in information technology, criminal justice and psychology exposed the rising third-year student to new facets of her field of study.
“This course was focused on criminal justice and gaming, so we were able to attend different lectures in those disciplines,她说. "We heard from graduate students who were conducting research in criminal justice, and we also heard from a psychology professional about her research."
This is the second course Sylvester enrolled in at 阿宾顿 with a short-term study abroad component. 去年, her first venture outside of the United States took her to Germany for a combined business and technology class.
“I chose these courses because I thought it would be a cool way to experience another culture and see a different part of the world, 同时也在学习,她说. "Meeting people from another nation is special because it really allows you to be immersed into a new culture and see how different things are in another country."
The 阿宾顿 students and faculty found the Scots to be welcoming while they explored the rich history and stunning landscapes of Dundee, 苏格兰, 以及它周围的环境.
“We did a lot of different tours, which I loved because it showed us history that we don’t hear much about,西尔维斯特说. "We saw castles and learned a lot about the royals who lived there and what their lives were like. We also did some hiking, which I loved!”
The cross-disciplinary course Sylvester enrolled in is known as an 嵌入式程序, which features short-term travel abroad during the semester breaks. Students are accompanied by 阿宾顿 faculty, and scholarships and financial aid may be available to defray costs of the travel portion of the course. Recent 嵌入式程序s have included social media in Jamaica, 中国和德国的技术, 以及冰岛的气候变化.
“Traveling through the 嵌入式程序s that 阿宾顿 offers is truly a once in a lifetime experience, 所以如果你有机会, 你一定要接受,西尔维斯特说.
Since returning from 苏格兰, she is using the summer to gear up for her third year at 阿宾顿. The South Jersey resident is a student athlete who competes on the track and field team and in club cheerleading. She’s also a senator in the Student Government Association and a member of two honor societies, the I’m First program for students who are the first in their family to attend college, and the Cybersecurity and IT Student Association.
