Editor’s note: The ISACA Foundation awards yearly Women’s Month Scholarships for global students who identify as women and are pursuing a degree in IT audit, risk, security, assurance, or cybersecurity. Awardees will receive funding for their undergraduate or graduate degree and a career-building bundle; find out more about the open scholarship and how to apply here by 28 May 2024. See the Q&A interview below to learn about several of last year’s scholarship winners. For more information on the program, contact foundation@isaca.org.
How far along are you currently in your educational path, and what is your main area of focus?
“I am currently in the last semester of my undergraduate studies. I am studying Cybersecurity at Brigham Young University. My main focus areas in Cybersecurity have been defense and working for the SOC team."
- Angela Milova
“ My course of study is computer science, which is a four-year program, and I am currently in my second year of study. Studying computer science has been my dream, as it provides the foundational knowledge for my main area of focus and pursuit in information technology and security."
- Omolara Esther Hamzat
“I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Computer Software Engineering at Northeastern University in the United States. My main area of focus is web development, with a particular emphasis on the smooth interaction between the front and back end, as well as data manipulation and security."
- Yen-Chen Shih
“I'm currently a master’s student. I plan to focus on cybersecurity for vulnerable communities, looking at which communities are most impacted by a lack of cybersecurity knowledge, then looking at how we can bring this knowledge in a way that is people-oriented and understandable."
- Chanthea Quinland
What are your future career goals?
Angela Milova: My career goal is to excel in cybersecurity, with a focus on defense. Starting as a Security Analyst, I aim to transition into roles like Security Engineer and Threat Intelligence Analyst. I'm also particularly interested in using AI to improve cybersecurity, especially in threat detection and mitigating phishing attacks.
Omolara Esther Hamzat: My future career goal is to obtain a degree in computer science, which will make me more relevant for pursuing greater opportunities alongside the experience I am gaining while in school. I am currently navigating my way toward building a career as an information technology and security professional with expertise in managing and protecting organizational systems and information.
Yen-Chen Shih: My future career goal is to become a software engineering manager with decision-making authority. I hope to lead companies and teams while dedicating myself to developing more products that benefit human welfare and striving to maintain information security. I firmly believe that the loss of data security would cause immeasurable harm to humanity. This is why I aspire to be an influential software engineering manager.
Chanthea Quinland: My future career goals are to work in the training and awareness sector of cybersecurity. I plan to either be an educator, working with schools to produce cybersecurity material for children, or work with corporate entities, helping workers and clients with cyber safety. Overall, my passion is ensuring that others are educated about safely using technology.
Which aspects of this scholarship award are you most excited about, and why?
Angela Milova: I’m particularly excited about two aspects of this scholarship award. Firstly, the financial support it offers will significantly alleviate the burden of educational expenses, allowing me to focus more on my studies and extracurricular activities. Additionally, I'm thrilled about the mentorship opportunities provided as part of the scholarship, as recipients can be part of the local ISACA communities.
Omolara Esther Hamzat: I am most excited about the fund grants, as they ease the burden/limitations that might arise from financing my education for earning a degree and professional certifications to support my career goals. This has helped break many barriers I faced as a woman in a male-dominated field such as tech.
Yen-Chen Shih: The aspect of this scholarship award that I am most excited about is the mentorship program. As a female from Taiwan and a career changer, I sometimes find it challenging to understand the true nature of the tech industry. Therefore, I deeply appreciate the resources and advice that mentors can provide. I plan to apply for the mentorship program during the summer break, and I am very much looking forward to it.
Chanthea Quinland: For me, the most exciting aspect was having access to the learning resources. When I started learning about cybersecurity, I did so through self-learning with material found online. Having access to the course allowed me to explore other areas of cybersecurity without having to worry about the cost.
How can a community like ISACA help students to reach their career goals?
Angela Milova: ISACA helps students reach their career goals by providing networking opportunities, educational resources, and job placement assistance in the cybersecurity field. It's challenging to secure a full-time job in cybersecurity as a student or someone with little experience, so communities like ISACA help make this transition easier. ISACA's local chapters often host job fairs and recruitment events where students can interact with potential employers.
Omolara Esther Hamzat: By providing a community where students are supported in bridging the gap between academia and the industry, ISACA offers scholarships, memberships, mentorship, organizes webinars, and hosts conferences for skill development regularly. These initiatives put students on the right track to pursuing their career goals. I commend ISACA for their efforts and encourage them to continue these impactful acts for students.
Yen-Chen Shih: Communities like ISACA can help students achieve their career goals by organizing summits, seminars and social events. Students can participate in these activities to stay updated on the latest developments in the tech field and interact with people from diverse backgrounds, thereby gaining broader perspectives.
Chanthea Quinland: I think the biggest benefit I received was the sense of community. Having a network of people you can connect with and ask for support can mean the world to someone. A community like ISACA can help students reach their career goals by continuing to offer channels for connecting people, such as forums, and by promoting the importance of mentorship and encouraging students to reach out for support.