From Uncertainty to Unstoppable: Creating my Path in Cybersecurity and AI with Confidence

March 15, 2024 Felicita J Sandoval MSc., CFE

Artificial Intelligence Researcher | Cybersecurity Professional | Governance | Co- Founder | Speaker | PhD (Candidate)

Those who are familiar with me know that my dedication to working, learning, growing, and contributing back is deep-rooted. As a cybersecurity professional and advocate for individuals seeking to enter or transition into this field, I want to share the pivotal role confidence plays in confronting challenges fearlessly. However, before getting into this, it's crucial to acknowledge that confidence is foundational for both personal and professional advancement. Without it, achieving full success can be significantly hindered.

We, as humans, often crave attention and affection. Yet, the essence of progress lies in self-love and self-belief, eliminating the desperate need for external validation to pursue our ambitions. My journey to securing my dream role in cybersecurity and pursuing groundbreaking AI research in technology's most exciting sectors underscores the transformative power of confidence. It has been the cornerstone of my achievements, guiding me through the complexities of my career with resilience and determination.

The Pillars of My Confidence

Self-Esteem: The Foundation

Understanding our worth and competence is essential. Belief in oneself is crucial for emotional well-being, significantly influencing our motivation and behavior, and playing a vital role in our mental health.

My journey began with doubts about my intelligence, rooted in childhood experiences of struggling with exams and learning at a slower pace than other students. While I marveled at my brothers' academic ease and excellence, I had dreams of a career as a scientist but felt stuck by my perceived lack of intelligence, diverting instead to fantasies of Hollywood filmmaking—a different story altogether that I will tell you another day.

However, I will always find myself pulling towards technology, so one day I decided to explore a free course in mathematics through Coursera. It wasn’t that bad, I understood more about mathematics in that course than I did as a teen. So, then I decided why not try an overview course in cybersecurity, turned out to be the best decision I ever made. You can only imagine the euphoria I felt when I wrote “Hello World” in the terminal, I felt like one of the characters in the movie, Hackers, ready to be chased by the bad guys, and save the world. Taking the course in cybersecurity, allowed me to participate in my first in-person Capture The Flag (CTF) competition, despite the nerves, it marked a turning point. Completing three out of fifteen levels might seem modest, but it was monumental for my self-esteem. It planted the seed of the possibility that perhaps I was indeed smart enough.

Throughout this journey, the crucial lesson was learning to respect myself and abandon the self-doubt that had clouded my perception. Building my self-esteem was the first step toward becoming a more confident woman, demonstrating the profound impact of self-belief on personal and professional development.

Indifference to Others' Opinions: The Freedom to Explore

Solidifying my confidence also meant learning to ignore negativity. With a strong self-esteem and unwavering belief in my abilities, the challenge was to rise above external discouragement. Like many, I experienced bullying from childhood, a sadly common narrative, but facing it as an adult required a different level of resilience. Many years ago, I had an assistant manager who claimed there were complaints from the office about my hair and that I should do something about it. She told me to start wearing my hair in a ponytail to stop causing discomfort in the office. It was such a shock! I mean, up until then, my hair had always been something people in the office seemed to love. I started to wonder if all those nice comments were just for show, and maybe, behind my back, there was this whole other story, laughter at my expense. It was one of those moments that really made me pause and rethink things. Seeking clarity from the branch manager the following day, I was reassured that the complaints were not true. That was a lesson in learning others' hidden intentions and resilience against baseless negativity.

Another moment of realization occurred during a team meeting when a colleague's dismissive behavior highlighted the unjust biases that can happen in professional environments. His disrespect and interruptions only strengthened my resolve to actively participate and question, refusing to be silenced by prejudice. These experiences underscored a vital lesson: not everyone will appreciate your contributions, often for reasons unrelated to your competence or character.

From these encounters, I chose to focus less on others' perceptions and more on delivering quality work and offering meaningful support where it's valued. Ignoring detractors, without disrespect, has proven transformative. I no longer dwell on the opinions of those around me but concentrate on learning, contributing positively, and empowering others with my expertise.

Believing in Myself: The Power to Persevere

While I was working on building my self-esteem, a sense of self-doubt lingered. Despite recognizing my intelligence, I struggled to fully believe in my ability to achieve my goals. I've always prided myself on being a strong, independent woman, embodying a mindset of creating opportunities when none are presented. However, breaking into the tech industry posed a unique challenge. Reflecting on my seven years in the banking sector, I appreciated the career it gave me but yearned for a change.

My interest in technology directed me towards a goal: becoming an information security auditor. While I was researching different auditing roles in technology, I was looking for the skills I needed to land the role, I realized the need for both auditing and tech experience was crucial. Adopting a step-by-step approach, I leveraged my financial background to pivot into auditing, eventually securing a role as a fraud investigator for the government. Embracing this title with a hint of pride—allow me this small indulgence—I developed a skill set encompassing auditing, forensic accounting, interviewing, report writing, and numerous soft skills.

This phase of my career, filled with growth and accomplishment, enhanced my self-belief. My experiences as a fraud investigator, combined with my initial venture into Capture The Flag competitions, paved the way for further education in cybersecurity. Ultimately, this journey led to my dream job as a Cybersecurity Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) analyst—a role that surpassed my own expectations. This newfound belief in myself provided the confidence boost I needed to learn, excel, and find my place in the industry I had so diligently worked to be a part of.

How Confidence Fueled My Passion for Cybersecurity GRC and AI

My confidence solidified, marking my transformation into the assured woman I aspired to be, capable of chasing my ambitions. The journey over the past three years has been an enriching path of growth, navigating the complexities of cybersecurity and AI with excitement. This surge in confidence propelled me to pursue a lifelong dream: a doctoral degree in Computer Science, focusing on AI, turning what was once a distant hope into a tangible reality.

Each day, I'm engrossed in the synergy between cybersecurity and AI, pondering how I can contribute to the upcoming advancements. This curiosity fuels my passion for research, allowing me to dive deep into specific technological domains, enhancing my skills, and uncovering innovative solutions to share globally.

This growth and confidence have motivated me to support the tech community, guiding those eager to embark on a technology career. It's become clear that my journey isn't solely about my achievements; giving back is equally vital, and it brings me immense joy.

One of my proudest endeavors has been co-founding Latinas in Cyber (LAIC) with a group of women I greatly admire. LAIC has become a platform for empowering others, offering mentorship, certifications, and enriching webinars led by industry leaders. Witnessing the determination and passion of individuals keen on carving out their place in this field, and knowing I play a role in their journey, is profoundly rewarding.

Additionally, my involvement with the Miami AI Club, to which Nima Schei, MD graciously invited me, has been a source of daily inspiration. Engaging with club members, sharing ideas, and fostering a collective zeal for artificial intelligence, I'm confident in our potential to make significant contributions to both the community and our nation.

Cultivating Confidence: Steps for Personal and Professional Empowerment

Personal and professional empowerment is about taking control of your life, setting goals, and making positive changes to boost your confidence, self-esteem, belief in yourself, and resilience against negativity. Here are the key steps I follow that has helped me on my journey and I hope it helps with yours:

1. Set Clear Goals

• Define Your Vision - Understand what you want to achieve in both personal and professional realms. Be specific about your goals.

• Action Plan - Break down your goals into manageable steps and set deadlines for each milestone.

2. Cultivate a Positive Mindset

• Practice Positive Affirmations - Regularly affirm your strengths and capabilities to foster a positive mindset.

• Mindfulness and Meditation - Engage in practices that enhance present-moment awareness, reducing stress and negative thoughts.

3. Develop Your Skills

• Continuous Learning - Invest in your personal and professional development by learning new skills relevant to your goals.

• Seek Feedback - Constructively use feedback for improvement, and don’t let criticism undermine your self-worth.

4. Build a Support Network

• Seek Mentorship - Connect with mentors who can guide you, provide advice, and support your growth.

• Foster Positive Relationships - Surround yourself with people who encourage and believe in you.

5. Enhance Your Self-Awareness

• Reflect Regularly - Spend time reflecting on your progress, understanding your strengths, and identifying areas for improvement.

• Embrace Your Uniqueness - Recognize and value your unique qualities and experiences.

6. Take Action

• Step Out of Your Comfort Zone - Challenge yourself with new opportunities that align with your goals.

• Be Persistent - Stay committed to your goals, even in the face of setbacks. Learn from failures and keep moving forward.

7. Practice Self-Care

• Physical Well-being - Engage in regular physical activity and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

• Mental Health - Prioritize your mental health by ensuring you have time to relax and unwind.

8. Assert Boundaries

• Learn to Say No - Protect your time and energy by setting healthy boundaries in both personal and professional settings.

9. Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity

• Growth Mindset - View failures and setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow rather than signs of weakness.

10. Visualize Success

• Use Visualization Techniques - Regularly visualize achieving your goals and the steps needed to get there. This can boost confidence and motivation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my journey to success in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence has been a testament to the transformative power of confidence. This odyssey from self-doubt to becoming a confident professional and advocate illustrates how foundational confidence is for personal and professional advancement. Through overcoming challenges, pursuing advanced education, and contributing to the field, I've seen firsthand how self-esteem, belief in oneself, and resilience against negativity can unlock doors to opportunities and growth.

Do moments of self-doubt and imposter syndrome occasionally surface? Absolutely, but they're fleeting—lasting less than a minute—because I quickly remind myself that I am precisely where I'm meant to be, affirming my belonging and purpose here.

I urge you all to share your journeys and foster confidence, especially if it's something you find yourself in short supply of, to realize your aspirations. When you align your work with your passions, your life naturally becomes more fulfilled and joyful.

Felicita Sandoval is a multifaceted professional with an interesting background in cybersecurity and a passionate commitment to advancing knowledge in Artificial Intelligence (AI). As a Security GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) Analyst at LiveRamp, Felicita plays a crucial role in safeguarding the company's digital assets and ensuring compliance with the myriad of regulatory requirements.

Felicita is deeply invested in academia as a Doctoral student at Colorado Technical University, where her research is focused on the ever-evolving field of AI. This dedication to her field signifies a profound engagement with cutting-edge technologies and a drive to contribute to the scholarly community.

An articulate speaker, Felicita frequently takes the stage to share her insights on Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity career development. Her talks are known for not only illuminating the technical aspects of these sectors but also for inspiring action and encouraging more individuals to explore the dynamic and challenging pathways in tech careers.

As the Co-Founder of Latinas in Cyber (LAIC), Felicita demonstrates her commitment to inclusivity and diversity within the tech industry. LAIC is an organization dedicated to empowering Latinas through advocacy, mentorship, and networking opportunities in the cybersecurity domain. Further extending her influence, Felicita serves as the panel host for the Cyber C-Suite x La Jefa Interview Series, a platform under LAIC, where she engages with leaders in the field to converse about AI technology and cybersecurity best practices.