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Graduate Finds Her Place at MITRE as a Woman in Cybersecurity
“I don’t think that I would be where I am if it wasn’t for my time and experience at Embry-Riddle. The university gave me the resources to help me grow my skills and confidence. I was able to take those to the next level at MITRE.” MITRE’s mission is to solve problems for a safer world, discovering cybersecurity solutions for the whole of the nation. As a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), MITRE works with government sponsors to solve some of the biggest challenges facing the 21st century. Adams’ advice for young women who are interested in cybersecurity is to find their place, regardless of their current skill level. “For those looking to get into cybersecurity, no matter at what stage in your career, you do belong!”
Cyber Intelligence and Security alumna Michaela Adams (’21) aspires to be a mentor for young women looking to enter the traditionally male-dominated field of cybersecurity. “I knew I was going to be outnumbered,” said Adams. “When I started my undergraduate degree in 2017, women represented only 11% of the cybersecurity field.” Embry‑Riddle’s Arizona Campus is home to the nation’s first College of Business, Security and Intelligence. Adams, who graduated in 2021, credits Embry‑Riddle for providing her the confidence to lead in a field that has historically underrepresented women. “It can be intimidating being the only [woman] in the room,” she said. “Finding other women in cybersecurity helped me realize that I belong, that my voice matters and I can do whatever I set my mind to.” After graduating, Adams was hired at MITRE in Washington, D.C., and has recently been promoted to senior cybersecurity engineer, focusing on threat hunting and detection engineering.
An Elite Program in Cyber Intelligence and Security The B.S. in Cyber Intelligence and Security prepares students to identify, assess, mitigate and respond to cyber threats. Students practice cybersecurity techniques and reverse engineer malware in the Cyber Lab, also called the “Hacker Lab.” Graduates leave the program ready to enter the workforce, just like Michaela.
Find out more at prescott.erau.edu/cbsi
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