GIJOBs

OCT 2017

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G.I. JOBS | OCTOBER 2017 | GIJOBS.COM 48 48 threats into our everyday lives. Physical luxuries are becoming more and more affected by cyber influences. We as Americans enjoy the multiple benefits that come from advances in technol- ogy, but might not appreci- ate the threat that could be potentially involved with that luxury." After leaving active duty, Cunha continued his service with the Navy Reserve and was selected for a job in the Pentagon; he currently is serving in OPNAV N9, specifically assigned to the surface warfare community. He routinely drills with a Reserve unit in Pittsburgh, which has been supportive of his school and Navy com- mitments. In addition, Cunha has a paid internship with the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Division at the Software Engineering Institute, which is based at CMU. There he helps develop training products for government customers who are looking to build their cybersecurity workforce. Cunha, who shares a home with his Golden Retriever, Oscar, advises transitioning military who are applying to school to "adequately, but appropri- ately, represent your previ- ous service." He also advises taking the time to research and understand the benefits and programs available to veterans. He advises all transition- ers to weigh what getting out of the military will entail. "When decision time comes around, do not let the 'unknown unknowns' of life outside of the military be the motivating factor for your decision," Cunha says. "It can be intimidating to make such a big change and not neces- sarily know if you will have a steady paycheck or access to insurance and health care when needed, but the desire to pursue something different is powerful enough. Trust things will work out and you made the right deci- sion. There will be challeng- es and unexpected obstacles ahead, but knowing you are chasing your dreams will make it all worth it. "Lastly, don't underesti- mate the power of network- ing. Ensure you follow up conversations with a hand- written note and respond to emails or phone calls you had with people trying to help. That sense of appre- ciation and professionalism will help leave an impres- sion on people that could open doors you don't even know are available." GRAD STUDENT VETERAN Will Cunha Degree pursuing: Masters of Science in Information Security Policy and Management Carnegie Mellon University Heinz College Expected graduation: May 2018 Age: 29 Branch: Navy (2011-2016) Navy Reserve (2016-Present) Rank: Lieutenant (O-3) Designator: Surface Warfare Officer Other degree and certifications: Bachelor of Science, Information Technology, United States Naval Academy, 2011, and Eagle Scout student," he says. He draws upon his military experience to surmount those hurdles and succeed. "Being in the military taught me how to man- age my time, prioritize the multiple tasks in front of me and ensure I put 100 percent effort into everything I do," he says. "In addition, the discipline instilled in me the Naval Academy taught me the importance of the 'little things,' such as making class on time, getting to know your instructors or asking for help when needed. I try to approach my academics like I did my job as an officer, not just viewing from the next assignment or project as a check in the box to get me one step closer to gradu- ating, but as an opportunity to learn and better prepare myself for the career ahead." He hopes his pending career will be a job with the government that lets him tackle the most pressing problems facing the country in the cyber domain. "We have to understand the technology we have in order to best deploy it," Will says. "With everything from washing machines to power plant generators connected to a global Internet, there are 'smart devices' that are bringing real-world G.I. JOBS | OCTOBER 2017 | GIJOBS.COM

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