Annie's CS Journey

  Introduction For this project, I had the opportunity to interview Aisha Lalli , a CSUMB alumna who has established herself as a cybersecurity engineer and security-focused software developer. She holds a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity from New York University as part of the Cyber Fellows program and an NSA-certified Cyber Operations and Defense professional. In addition to her technical expertise, she has published research and built a strong portfolio of projects in areas such as penetration testing, static code analysis, and secure system design. I chose Aisha for several reasons. First, she is a fellow CSUMB alumna, which made her both approachable and highly relevant to my own educational path. Second, her background in cybersecurity connects directly to the parts of computer science that interest me most—where software engineering intersects with real-world issues of trust, privacy, and safety. Finally, I wanted to gain insights from someone who has not only built techni...

Part One. Educational Goals When I first entered the Computer Science program, I imagined the path ahead would be fairly straightforward; learn the material, complete the assignments, and progress smoothly toward graduation. However, I quickly discovered that the depth and pace of the coursework requires much more persistence, discipline, and resilience than I had initially anticipated. This realization has reshaped the way I approach my studies and clarified what I want out of my education. My goal now is not only to complete the program successfully but to immerse myself fully in the areas that will prepare me for a career in data science. I want to strengthen my abilities in programming, algorithms, and statistical analysis, while also building a deep understanding of databases and machine learning concepts. I know there will be difficult subjects along the way, but I see these challenges as stepping stones to mastering the skills I will need in the future. Ultimately, I envision m...

 Week 3 Journal - My CSUMB Journey Study Strategies Reflection In my last journal, I identified note-taking as one of my weaknesses, since I often rely too much on memory and my notes are not as organized or useful as they could be. From AcademicTips.org, I learned about the 2–6 Method , which helps separate main ideas from supporting details by dividing the page into columns. This would make it easier to quickly scan notes later instead of rereading everything. I also liked the advice to retype notes after class, turning quick phrases into full sentences while the material is still fresh. This not only organizes the notes better but also reinforces learning by reviewing the material right away. These strategies showed me that note-taking isn’t about writing everything down; it’s about creating a tool that I can actually study from effectively. Another weakness I recognized is test anxiety and stress management , which often affects my focus and performance even when I prepare wel...

 Week 2 Journal - My CSUMB Journey. Welcome to my second journal post, and it feels like my learning is connecting in bigger ways. Between reading, watching talks, and reflecting on my own habits, I can see how the skills I’m building now, like time management, project planning, and staying adaptable, are the same ones that professionals use in the fast-changing world of technology. The theme that stuck with me most this week is that the future really is happening right now, and I need to keep pace. The Future is Now – Review and Reflect Learning Strategy In the video “The Future is Faster Than You Think” by Peter Diamandis, he explained how technology is speeding up because so many areas like AI, robotics, sensors, and networks are all advancing at the same time and working together. He called this convergence, and it means that changes that used to take decades can now happen in just a few years. The examples he gave, from self-driving cars to personalized medicine, showed me th...

This week has been a good start to the program. I introduced myself to the class and had my first team meeting, which went well and helped me connect with my group. I also watched the lectures and completed the quizzes. I had already put together a weekly schedule for my work time as part of last week’s assignment, but I am still working on adjusting my routine and making sure I can manage everything effectively. One of the challenges for me has been balancing school with the responsibilities I already have. With three kids, asynchronous courses are a good fit, but scheduling team meetings that work for everyone can be tricky. It takes some effort to make myself available, but I am working on it and finding ways to make it manageable. Since I recently completed my associate’s degree fully online, I already feel comfortable with online learning. What feels different in this program is the emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, which I think will help me grow. Starting the industry an...