Making the transition from military service to a career in technology was one of the most challenging and rewarding decisions of my life. After eight years as an Information Security/Cyber Security Professional and System Administrator in the U.S. Army, I knew I wanted to continue in tech, but the path wasn't always clear.
The skills I developed in the military—problem-solving under pressure, attention to detail, and the ability to learn quickly—translated well to software engineering. However, I had to learn that the military and civilian tech worlds operate very differently.
In the military, hierarchy and chain of command are clear and strictly followed. In tech, especially in startup environments, decision-making is often more collaborative and flat organizational structures are common. Learning to navigate these different dynamics while still leveraging my military discipline and work ethic took time and intentional effort.
One of the biggest challenges was overcoming imposter syndrome. Despite my technical background in cybersecurity and system administration, entering the world of software engineering felt like starting over. I had to remind myself that my diverse experience actually made me a stronger engineer, not a weaker one.
The GI Bill was instrumental in making this transition possible. It allowed me to pursue formal education in Computer Science at Oregon State University-Cascades, where I graduated cum laude. Later, I was able to complete a Master's in Information Technology at University of Denver with a perfect 4.0 GPA and receive an Academic Excellence Award.
Being selected as a 2020 SVA Google Scholar and receiving multiple Grace Hopper scholarships validated that my unique background and perspective were valued in the tech community. These opportunities opened doors and provided networks that continue to support my career growth.
The transition taught me that different doesn't mean deficient. My military experience provides unique perspectives on security, process optimization, and team leadership that many traditional Computer Science graduates don't have. Rather than trying to fit into a standard mold, I learned to embrace and leverage these differences.