Looking Towards 2024, Taking My Dream Along
Jan. 1, 2024
Many People Have Dreams
Give me the backlash for not being cultured enough (oops…🙊),
I confess: I've never actually heard Dr. King's legendary "I Have a Dream" speech in full. Scandalous, I know. But hear me out!
For what it's worth, my glimpse into that iconic moment came through the filter of Marcus Scribner acting “Junior” on the American Sitcom Black-ish.
Blame it on a cultural blind spot, if you must, or the fact that it was some kind of black American swindle but being Black and African, my heroes wore different capes.
Meanwhile, I did hear CS’ version (yup, I'm talking about the most celebrated woman in cybersecurity🤗).
Besides, I definitely related to it more. Not only because she is a woman I admire and was talking about a shared passion for cybersecurity we have, she did it with so much proess and vivacity.
I love that she exists to inspire, motivate, train and make the whole difference!
Here are extracts of her formidable speech
" I have a dream...
I have a dream that every individual, regardless of their race, their gender, their backgrounds, their socio-economic status will have the opportunity to succeed in the cybersecurity industry, and I want to charge you with that dream.
I also have a dream that one day, the tech industry will become a global melting pot where diverse perspectives and experiences come together and fuel innovation and drive positive change.
I also have a dream that one day, the gender gap in tech will be a thing of the past , and women (and other minority groups) will have equal representation and leadership roles throughout the industry.
I have a dream, that the tech community will embrace neurodiversity, creating an inclusive environment where individuals on the autism spectrum for example, can contribute their unique talents and excel.
I have a dream, that under represented communities, including people of colour and individuals with disabilities will no longer face barriers in accessing education and employment opportunities in the cybersecurity industry.
Still, I am dreaming that companies will prioritize diverse hiring practices, fostering an inclusive workforce that reflects the rich tapestry of our global society "
I Have A Dream Too!
This brings us to the pertinence of this article, I have a dream too!
But here's the thing – dreams don't just float around like fluffy clouds. I never always had it figured, and only had half clues.
Dreams need builders, makers, engineers like yours truly. I guess that's where I come in:
Fresh out of undergraduate studies taking a Computer Engineering Major, I am happy to have earned a network engineering degree with first-class honors (yeah, I brag a little! 🙈),
Therefore, I am diving headfirst into the world of cybersecurity. My graduate studies are fueling my fire, and I'm hungry for opportunities to put my skills to the test.
So, what does an engineer do, you ask? We're the architects of the digital world, the bridge builders between the physical and the virtual. We're problem solvers, critical thinkers, and above all, passionate about the magic of technology.
So, to my fellow dreamers, the ones with fire in their eyes and circuits in their veins, I say this: stay passionate, stay curious, stay critical. Question everything, build everything, and never let anyone tell you your dreams are too small, too different, too "oops.”
Because in the end, it's not about who heard which speech or where they came from. It's about the collective power of dreams, the ones that whisper possibilities and ignite the fire of innovation.
Paying It Forward —A Community
And that brings me to my other passion project – Girls in Cybersecurity!
This community is my way of paying it forward, creating a space where women like me can connect, learn, and inspire each other. We're building a sisterhood of techsperts (yup!, I just made up that word from technology + expert 😌), ready to conquer the cybersecurity world together.
Of course I am not alone on this project, I have amazing tech sisters for the ride:
Meli Tchouala Imelda, Ketcha Nzoueto Leonelta Karen and Lydie Tsoupou
So, if you're reading this and your heart beats to the rhythm of ones and zeros, join the dream!
Let's build a future where everyone has a seat at the digital table, where our differences become our greatest strengths, and where cybersecurity isn't just a career, it's a revolution.
This is just the beginning of my story. Come along for the ride, and let's see what dreams we can build together!
P.S. I am still on the journey and enjoy every part of the process.
Thank you for reading 😉