Ethan Lawson <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Department of Cybersecurity, Old Dominion University <\/p>\n\n\n\n
IDS 493: ePortfolio Project <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr. Megan K. Mize <\/p>\n\n\n\n
March 13, 2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My time in the Cybersecurity program at Old Dominion University\u00a0(ODU)\u00a0has taught me invaluable technical and legal knowledge\u00a0that will help guide my career.\u00a0When I started at ODU, I was working as an IT Helpdesk Technician and had just completed my associate degree.\u00a0With only prior experience in programming,\u00a0troubleshooting, and customer service,\u00a0I considered this degree the best next step to entering the field.\u00a0I had uncertainties about\u00a0whether\u00a0pursuing further education was the right decision for me.\u00a0I have been blessed with professors\u00a0who\u00a0genuinely\u00a0care about their students and want to prepare them for future endeavors.\u00a0The skills I have developed here that I value most are networking, programming, U.S.\/international law, and the defensive\/offensive tools used in the field. I have learned these skills through classes such as Basic Cyber Programming and Networking, Cyber Law, Linux System for Cybersecurity, and Cyber Strategy and Policy.\u00a0I enjoyed the hands-on experience the most, learning about Linux, Cybersecurity tools, and programming languages like Python.\u00a0Overall,\u00a0I feel like my education has given me a solid foundation and prepared me for\u00a0a successful future in the field.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During my time here, there have been many courses, projects, and an internship that have shaped my growth. One notable experience was my internship as an IT Helpdesk Technician at Southwest Virginia Community College for my Cybersecurity Internship course. This real-world experience was invaluable to developing my professional and technical skills, which I go in depth about on my first experience page. Some courses I think contributed most to my growth as a cybersecurity professional include Cyber Programming and Networking, Cyber Law, and Linux System for Cybersecurity. I had prior experience with programming, but my knowledge of networking was superficial before my internship and this course. Cyber Law taught me the intricacies of U.S.\/international law and why a keen understanding is necessary for any cybersecurity professional. Linux System for Cybersecurity taught me to navigate different distros and how to use a wide array of cybersecurity tools available on them. A project that stands out to me is a server-client architecture I created for Basic Cyber Programming and Networking, which is available on my skills page. I have faced many challenges over the course of my educational endeavors, which I addressed through persistence and communication with teachers\/classmates. At first, I was uncertain about whether or not this degree was the right fit for me. However, the course content, discussions with classmates, and diverse career opportunities quickly reassured me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some overarching themes or patterns I recognize when examining my portfolio are my admiration for the technical side, offensive capabilities, cyber law, and ethics. These overarching themes support my career goal of becoming a penetration tester for the U.S. Government. These experiences connect to my professional values because I have strong ethics and respect for the law. Currently, my professional identity is limited by my experience. However, I do not doubt that these experiences will connect in many ways as I gain experience in the workplace. Some moments that stand out as turning points in my learning are my internship and being introduced to programming\/networking. Together, these experiences have shaped my education at ODU, my passion for cybersecurity, and my commitment to developing my skills to thrive in the field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think many, if not all, of the skills and insights I\u2019ve gained during my time at ODU will be applicable in my personal pursuit of a cybersecurity career. I have had many opportunities to develop my technical, people, and problem-solving abilities. Through my internships, I gained invaluable real-world experience where I learned to navigate the social dynamics of a professional setting. The main gap that I want to address is my lack of experience. This will be addressed by pursuing further education and getting experience from an entry-level job. I plan to continue my learning by obtaining certifications that apply to penetration testing. I have also considered obtaining a master’s degree in the future for more job opportunities. I plan to keep my portfolio updated with significant achievements, skills, and experiences while working. Continuously building upon it will make for a neat artifact in the future that I can show to friends, family, and colleagues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building an ePortfolio in IDS 493 has helped me create something I am proud to show employers and has made me realize how much I have learned throughout my time at ODU. Some areas that I learned to strengthen during this project are my ability to reflect on both educational and professional past experiences. I have also learned how to organize, design, and tell my story in a professional and visually appealing way. Some examples from my portfolio work that illustrate my growth in these areas are the experience and skills pages. Building a reflective portfolio has served as a new artistic medium for me. It has given me new ways to showcase my skills, experiences, and professional identity with unique tools. Some strategies or insights that I would give to someone just starting their personal\/professional portfolio are to focus on organization, professional colors, skills, and key learning\/development experiences. In the future, I could see myself adding more specific skills, experiences, and achievements that align with my career interests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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