Alumni spotlight

• Embraced exploration and emerging tech, gaining hands-on experience with blockchain and crypto through a practicum project that sparked her interest in Web3.
• Found clarity through CMU-SV events and peer connections, using those insights to align her skills with roles in the cybersecurity and crypto space.
• Now a Security Engineer at Coinbase, where she applies both technical expertise and lessons from CMU-SV to solve real-world problems in a rapidly evolving industry.

If you could go back and reassure your first-semester self, what would you say about career exploration?

I would tell myself: "Stay curious and open-minded. Career paths are rarely linear, and every experience, whether it leads to clarity or uncertainty helps you grow and learn. Trust the process and lean into opportunities that resonate with your interests, even if they feel outside your comfort zone.”

As part of my journey, I had the opportunity to work on a practicum project focusing on blockchain and crypto technology. This was my first hands-on experience with Web3, and it significantly deepened my understanding of cryptography and its applications. That experience was transformative. It not only enhanced my technical knowledge but also opened doors for me to explore career opportunities in an emerging and exciting field.

Today, I work at Coinbase, one of the leading companies in crypto, where I apply the skills and knowledge gained during my coursework and practicum to solve real-world problems in the industry. Reflecting on this progression, I would encourage my first-semester self to embrace challenges and experiment with cutting-edge projects, as they can lead to unexpected and rewarding career paths.

Was there a moment during your time at CMU-SV when you realized what kind of role or company you wanted to pursue? What led to that insight?

CMU-SV provided me with numerous opportunities to connect with like-minded peers in my domain and engage with industry experts. These interactions whether through events like alumni mixers, fireside chats, or casual discussions were instrumental in gaining insights into the expectations for various roles and understanding how to better align my skills and interests to meet those expectations.

During these conversations, I gained clarity on my strengths and identified areas for growth. I focused on building the skills that felt foundational for the roles I aspired to pursue. By targeting roles where I had both a deep understanding and the potential to thrive, I developed a clear vision of my career path early on. These moments helped me consciously aim for roles tailored to my capabilities and ambitions, setting the groundwork for my journey into the crypto and the tech space.