Edition #9: GRATITUDE, GROWTH, AND GLOBAL PLANS

Every month teaches something new, and October reminded me how important it is to slow down, appreciate growth, and stay grateful for the journey even in the midst of chaos.

🚀 Milestones & Moments: Sharing My Story

This month gave me the chance to share more of my voice and experiences through two podcast appearances. I had a great time joining Blacks in Cyber and Devin Price on his show, The Talking Tech Podcast.

I also had the opportunity to speak at CyberFest, hosted by IT GRC Consulting. Thank you to them and Monique Holmes for the invitation. 

The event brought creators and other cybersecurity professionals together to raise awareness during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. 

My talk focused on AI in the SOC, and what trends, tools, and workflows I have been using and seeing as artificial intelligence continues to grow and shape the future of the SOC.

Later this month, I will be traveling overseas to Peru for the second time. I will be going with my dad, and both of us will be part of Warrior Retreats together.

This has been more than 10 years in the making since he went on the second iteration of it, and I attended Warrior Retreats Brotherhood last year.

Now we get to experience the tenth and final Warrior Retreat side by side, which feels like a full-circle moment for both of us. I am grateful that my career in tech has given me opportunities like this and experiences that go beyond the screen.

I know last month I mentioned preparing for my CASP+, but a few things changed, and I decided to shift my focus back toward Azure. 

I still plan to pursue the CASP+ in the future, but for now, I am studying for my Azure AI 900 certification and plan to take it within the next week. I feel that as AI continues to evolve, we as people need to do the same. 

So if there is any time you can get a certification, take a course, or do something to learn more about A.I., then do it. It’ll only benefit you in the future. 

🌍 The Youngest in Charge Playbook

I’m proud to share that The Youngest In Charge Playbook will be released later this month.

This playbook is a guide to help you level up in your career, improve your health and wellness, and move toward financial freedom. It’s been in the works for months, and I’m excited to finally bring it to life.

Inside, you’ll find the same tools, strategies, and mindset that have helped me along my path. If you’d like to receive early access details and updates when it launches, just reply to this email letting me know you’d like to stay in the loop.

Can't wait to share more. 

🛡️Cybersecurity Update: AWS Outage Causes Widespread Disruptions

A recent AWS outage caused hundreds of companies' systems to go down, including Snapchat, Reddit, Disney+, and many more.

It wasn’t a cyberattack, but it showed how much of the internet depends on cloud infrastructure and how the impact of an outage can be just as bad as a cyberattack. 

For more details, read the full article on Tom’s Guide.

🔒Breach One, Teach One

This month, I focused on cybersecurity awareness tips to safe along

🔹Cybersecurity Awareness Month Tip #1 | Enable MFA
🔹Cybersecurity Awareness Month Tip #2 | Turn Off Location Tracking on Apps That Don’t Need It
🔹The #1 Cybersecurity Certification to Start With 💻
🔹How I Handle the Pressure of Working in Cybersecurity as a SOC Analyst
🔹BEYA Career Day: How Bonnie Rushing Stays Motivated

If you want to keep up with my latest videos, Subscribe to My YouTube.

💪Your Health is Your Greatest Asset

Working in tech often means sitting for long hours, which can make your body feel stiff and tight. Over time, that tension adds up and affects how you move, think, and focus.

One thing that has helped me a lot is yoga. I try to practice at least five days a week while being in the sun. It has improved my flexibility, posture, and overall energy.

More than anything, it helps me slow down and reconnect with myself after long days in front of a screen.

Here are two people worth checking out on YouTube if you are looking to start:

• John Kempf

• Yoga With Adriene 

❓Question of the Month

How do you practice slowing down and staying grounded while continuing to grow personally and professionally?

🗓️Upcoming Events

BEYA Career Day:

On November 8th at 12 PM EST, I’ll be joining other student ambassadors live on the BEYA YouTube channel for Career Day, an open conversation centered around STEM careers, student journeys, and growth in the tech space.

🔗 Watch the Live Show

Techsgiving 2025 Summit:

Techsgiving takes place December 10th-13th in Washington DC. It is a great opportunity to connect with others in tech and learn from leaders across the industry.

📚What I’m Reading This Month

This month, I picked up Tribe of Hackers. It is filled with insights from some of the top cybersecurity professionals and offers real stories about breaking into the field and growing as a leader.

If you have any book or article recommendations, reply to this email and send them my way. I’m always open to new insights!

🔹Resource Spotlight: Asana

As I have grown in my cybersecurity career, the number of projects and responsibilities on my plate has increased. Staying organized is key to keeping everything up to date and completed on time.

I use Asana to manage my workflow and keep tasks in order. It is also helpful when working with a virtual assistant since I can assign tasks, include instructions, and track progress all in one place instead of sending multiple emails.

It can get a little pricey depending on how many people are in your organization, but it's worth it.

💭 A Thought to Keep in Mind

“You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it is better to listen to what it has to say.”

– Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

📩 Let’s Stay Connected

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Thank you kindly.