Meet Isabel, a student in the Networking & Cyber Defense program at Gaston College and a member of the Carolina Cyber Network (CCN).
Isabel’s path into cybersecurity started with curiosity. As a kid, she was fascinated by hacking and how computers worked — not to cause harm, but to understand systems from the inside out. That curiosity led her to earn Google IT certifications, where she discovered a strong interest in networking and security.
Through CCN, Isabel has been able to explore multiple areas of cybersecurity, gain hands-on experience with Python (including building a web scraper), and work with real businesses and teams. Along the way, she’s built technical skills, professionalism, and confidence — even pushing through anxiety by stepping outside her comfort zone.
Her journey is a powerful example of what CCN offers students:
- Real-world experience
- Space to explore different cyber paths
- Technical depth and professional growth
Isabel’s story shows that you don’t have to have everything figured out — you just have to be willing to learn, try, and grow.