Graduate Spotlight: Polina Shebolaeva

Name: Polina Shebolaeva
Program of Study: Information Technology and Security
Hometown: Marshall, MI
Year of Graduation: 2020

What made you choose Baker College to get your Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Security?

I had no idea what I wanted to do during my senior year of high school. A Baker College representative came to my school and mentioned that academic advisors at Baker College help students figure out what they want to do. When I came in, the advisor asked me a few questions and based on my interests told me about Cyber Defense. I had never heard of the field and had not even considered going to school for IT. Based on how my mind works, I knew what I wanted to pursue at that moment. I decided to go to Baker College because I had heard good things about their program and it was close to home.

What's your favorite thing about Information Technology and Cybersecurity?

The scope of possibilities. I have always had a curious mind and I enjoy solving puzzles. Cybersecurity offers so much to explore and technology is constantly changing, which means there is always more to learn.

What's a favorite memory from your time here at Baker College or in your program?

I always enjoy going to conferences and learning something new. One of my favorite events that I went to was BSides conference in Detroit. It was an all-day event with various presentations on cybersecurity. There were opportunities to get help with your resume and to learn how to lock pick. I had a great time networking with people working in the field and hearing about some interesting topics.

What are your post-graduation plans?

My initial goal is to get into offensive security and become an ethical hacker. In order to achieve that goal, I plan to gain experience in a general Information Technology field while I work on getting certifications such as CEH, CISSP, and OSCP.

What advice do you have for incoming IT students?

Use your classmates to learn. Attend conferences and workshops. Browse tech forums, news websites, and magazines. The information technology field is rapidly growing and it is important to stay up to date on the latest information. Get an internship as soon as possible and get your foot in the field, so that when you are graduating you have some experience and a solid resume.