Key Takeaways
- Military service can be a powerful springboard into a cybersecurity career. Inez Whitley built her technical foundation as a Navy Information Systems Admin before earning her master’s in Cyber Security Engineering at USD and landed her dream job at Boeing before graduating.
- An advanced degree gives career changers a competitive edge, even when pivoting from an unconventional background. Inez started in childhood development and teaching before the Navy steered her toward technology and, ultimately, cybersecurity.
- USD’s program offers dedicated resources and support for military and veteran students. Inez’s VA advisor worked closely with USD’s Military and Veterans Program to ensure she had what she needed to succeed.
- Networking opportunities built into the program create real industry connections. Inez credits professor-organized networking sessions with helping her build professional relationships that extended well beyond the classroom.
- A commitment to lifelong learning is a hallmark of successful cybersecurity professionals. Now at Boeing, Inez continues growing her skills on the job and is already pursuing her CISSP certification.
From a teaching career to active duty in the U.S. Navy to working at Boeing, Inez Whitley is a self-proclaimed life-long learner. She enrolled in USD’s Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering in 2020 and secured her dream job at Boeing before graduating.
“I Had No Interest at All in Computers Growing Up”
As a kid, Inez wasn’t overly interested in technology. She remembers “this big box computer and it was dial up and just thinking, oh my gosh. I had no interest in it at all.” Growing up, Inez’s mom was a foster parent, so there were a lot of foster kids in the home. Some of them had emotional difficulties or physical disabilities, which shaped Inez’s interest in working with children.
After briefly considering a medical career, her interests led her to education. She received her undergraduate degree in 2017 in childhood development, and pursued a teaching credential. It was around this time that Inez experienced some life changes and decided to join the Navy.
Making Waves
Inez joined the U.S. Navy in August of 2009 as an Information Systems Admin. She was encouraged by her older brother, who at the time was retiring from the U.S. Army as an IT professional. In January 2018, Inez joined the Navy Reserves as an Information System Technician. After building her tech skills, Inez knew she wanted to pursue an advanced degree in cyber security engineering.
Enter the University of San Diego
Inez’s training and experience in the Navy working with IT systems made her realize she wanted to continue to grow professionally and personally. Her goal was to get back into the workforce, and she knew that an advanced degree would put her ahead of the competition. Having grown up in the area, Inez was familiar with the University of San Diego, its degree programs and the beautiful campus. Inez applied and was accepted into the program in 2020. Her Veterans Affairs advisor worked closely with USD’s Military and Veterans Program to provide Inez with the resources and support that she needed.
“What stuck out to me was that the degree program was widely known and respected in the industry.”
Beyond the Classroom
With support from her VA advisor, USD staff and professors and her peers, Inez successfully navigated the program, growing both professionally and personally. She enjoyed the entire experience, especially getting into the weeds of penetration testing and the challenge of coding. She took part in networking hours set up by professor Nicholas Behar in which students could meet professionals in the industry. Inez keeps in touch with both her professors and peers, who she considers “extended family.”
Never Stop Learning
Today, Inez is working her dream job in government and compliance policies at Boeing, using the skills she learned at USD everyday. She’s still learning as much as she can from her coworkers who have been at Boeing for 20+ years. She’s also looking ahead and considering her Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.
“The Opportunities Are There”
Inez highly recommends the program to anyone looking for a career change or looking to break into the cybersecurity industry. Two important pieces of advice: have a reliable computer at or above the program requirements and take advantage of the networking opportunities. Students have different levels of experience, so the learning opportunities extend beyond the classroom. Inez’s advice? “Don’t be afraid to ask questions. […] You’ll find that support, not only with the staff and professors, but even with your peers.”
frequently asked questions
What does a security compliance role in cybersecurity involve?
A security compliance role in cybersecurity focuses on whether an organization’s security practices meet applicable laws, regulations, contractual obligations and internal policies. Typical responsibilities include assessing systems against required controls, maintaining security documentation, preparing for and supporting audits, tracking findings through remediation and helping other teams interpret requirements. The work often involves substantial writing and cross-functional coordination and requires attention to detail. Depending on the position, compliance professionals may also work directly with security tools and systems, although the role generally involves less system configuration than many engineering-focused positions.
How does military experience transfer into a cybersecurity career?
Military experience can transfer well into cybersecurity, particularly when service members have worked with information technology, networks, information security or formal security procedures. Experience administering systems and networks, protecting controlled information, following established security procedures and working within structured organizations can provide relevant skills. Defense contractors and federal agencies may also value familiarity with military environments and terminology. Professionals transitioning to civilian cybersecurity roles may need to translate their military experience into language civilian employers recognize and build familiarity with commercial tools, technologies and workplace practices.
What education benefits are available to veterans pursuing a cybersecurity degree?
Veterans and service members may have several options for funding a cybersecurity degree, including Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and, at participating institutions, the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Post-9/11 GI Bill can provide education benefits for eligible students, while the Yellow Ribbon Program can help cover additional tuition and fees at participating schools when a student’s eligibility and the institution’s agreement meet program requirements. Many universities also have dedicated military and veterans services offices that can help students navigate enrollment certification and education benefits. Because eligibility, benefit amounts and participating institutions can change, prospective students should confirm current details with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and their institution.
Why do some cybersecurity professionals pursue certifications after earning a master’s degree?
Some cybersecurity professionals may pursue certifications after earning a master’s degree because degrees and certifications serve different purposes. A master’s degree provides broad academic preparation, while a certification can demonstrate knowledge or skills in a specific area and may align with requirements for particular roles. Some employers, particularly in government and defense, list specific certifications as required or preferred qualifications. Certain certifications also have professional experience requirements that cannot be satisfied through academic coursework alone. For professionals already working in cybersecurity, earning a certification can therefore provide a way to demonstrate specialized knowledge or meet the requirements for a particular career path.
