As current president of Valencia College’s cybersecurity club, Kacie Paulk wants to give back to the community that has helped her so much. Kacie is working to finish her Associate in Science degree at Valencia, and then earn her bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity from the University of Maine at Augusta, which is Valencia’s online partner for cybersecurity students.
“Cybersecurity is so huge, I’m still figuring out where I belong,” she says. “I like (cybersecurity) a lot for the same reason I enjoy ‘capture the flag’ competitions. You’re just solving a puzzle – and I happen to like puzzles a lot.”
Kacie has an eye toward earning three certifications: a Certified Cisco Network Associate (CCNA), Security Plus and Certified Ethical Hacker. She has also competed in the NCL team competition with fellow Valencia students, and the U.S. Cyber Challenge, where the organizers invited her to a cybersecurity boot camp at Virginia Tech during the summer of 2018.
In October 2018, Kacie was among five students recognized by Valencia College, the Aspen Institute and the Siemens Foundation as Siemens Technical Scholars. The students each received $5,000 scholarships – and, in return, are asked to help spread the word about education programs in STEM, such as Valencia’s network engineering program.
“One of the things that has made a huge difference for me is being surrounded by people who are equally excited to learn about this field,” says Kacie. “That’s why the cybersecurity club has been a wonderful experience. And now that I’m president, I can help other students the way that the more experienced students and faculty members have helped me.”
To read more about how Kacie Paulk found her cybersecurity niche at Valencia College, click here.
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