From uncertainty to cybersecurity: PBSC grad finds her path in tech

As a first-generation college student, Denise Barrera often felt uncertain about which career path to pursue after high school. Still, she graduated from Glades Central High School in 2020 not only with her diploma but also an Associate in Arts degree from Palm Beach State College.

Her first plan was to become a nurse. That fall, she enrolled at Florida Atlantic University and began taking prerequisite nursing courses. But she soon realized that the emotional demands of the job were more than she wanted to take on long-term.

That realization prompted a major pivot: the Armed Forces. After researching different branches, she set her sights on the Air Force. She took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), a test that helps predict academic and occupational success in the military. To her surprise, she scored highest in electronics information, a section she hadn’t previously considered. When her recruiter explained the career possibilities tied to her score, an entirely new direction emerged.

“That opened my eyes to the number of jobs in that field and what that field could be about,” Barrera said.

Intrigued, she began exploring technology careers. The more she researched, the more she learned about cryptology, analyzing, securing and interpreting encrypted information, a skillset central to cybersecurity. She discovered that PBSC’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Management offered cryptology coursework. Paired with her positive dual-enrollment experience, returning to PBSC felt like the next chapter.

“Imagine having tunnel vision on nursing and even the military, and then suddenly doing a complete 180—starting over with entirely new plans,” Barrera said. “I told myself, ‘OK, if you’re going to start college again, you need to really get involved this time.’”

Barrera started the Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Management with a concentration in Security and Network Assurance in 2023 and quickly made her mark. She joined the Ethical Hackers Club, sharpening her cybersecurity skills, connecting with like-minded peers, and networking with industry professionals. Her dedication earned her a leadership role as vice president. She also gained real-world experience through an internship with PBSC’s Information Security Office and became a student worker in the Information Technology department at the Belle Glade campus.

One of her proudest moments was moderating a Cyber Week panel focused on women in information technology. The panel featured speakers from the CyberMINDS Research Institute, Women in Security and Privacy (WISP) and PBSC’s Information Security Office. Barrera left the event inspired and now encourages more women to explore opportunities in cybersecurity.

Before graduating on Dec. 16, Barrera secured a full-time role as a client technology specialist at PBSC’s Belle Glade campus. She credits her family and friends for supporting her through every shift and uncertainty.

“It takes a village sometimes to keep going,” she said. “I’m surrounded by people who push me and encourage me to pursue any ideas I have.”