CCBC Student, Cybersecurity
Mary is on an exciting path to a new career in cybersecurity.
After spending years working in retail management, Mary found herself drawn to technology and the opportunities it offered.
"I always enjoyed working with computers, and I felt like cybersecurity was a growing field with a lot of potential," she said. "It’s something I wanted to do for myself — to make a career change and build a future that excites me."
Mary began her studies at CCBC in 2022, eager to build a solid foundation for her new career in CCBC’s Cybersecurity program.
"I chose CCBC because of its reputation and affordability," she said. "CCBC has a strong academic focus, and the smaller class sizes make it easier to get personalized attention from the instructors."
Mary quickly found the resources at CCBC to be invaluable.
"The staff here is incredibly helpful, especially the academic advisors," she said. "They guided me on course selection and helped me plan for the future."
She was also drawn to CCBC because of the flexibility it offered, allowing her to balance school with her part-time job and personal commitments. Taking classes online or in the evenings makes it easier for her to stay on top of her coursework.
Her love for technology and problem-solving drives her studies in cybersecurity.
What excites me most about this program is the hands-on learning," said Mary. "Cybersecurity is all about solving real-world problems, whether it’s protecting networks, securing data or preventing cyber attacks. It’s a field that requires both critical thinking and technical skills, and that’s what makes it so rewarding.
Mary also applauds her professors in the Cybersecurity program.
"They are experts in the field and genuinely care about our success,” she said. “They make the material engaging and relevant, which helps me stay motivated."
Mary’s long-term goal is to work in network security, incident response or IT management.
"My goal is to get my foot in the door with an entry-level position after graduation, and then continue my education and certifications to move up in the field," she said. "CCBC has given me the tools and resources to start this journey, and I feel confident about the future. CCBC is helping me build a career in cybersecurity while allowing me to grow and challenge myself.”
Mary is one of CCBC’s 2024-2025 Fresh Faces student representatives.