The Charger Blog
Courtney Hassenfeldt Ӱԭ18, Ӱԭ20 M.S. says sheӰԭs grateful for the variety of transformative opportunities she had as a Charger, which included cutting-edge research, volunteering for a "Girls in STEM" program, and attending conferences across the United States and in the United Kingdom.
January 17, 2020
I made the decision to go to the University of New Haven when I was in middle school. Back then, I wanted to study forensic science. I first came to the University for a summer forensic science camp, and, even then, I loved the feeling of being on campus. I knew this is where I wanted to go to school.
I applied and was accepted into the UniversityӰԭs forensic science program, and I began my first year in fall of 2014. Before long, I decided to switch my major to information technology with a concentration in network administration and security. Halfway through my first semester, the University introduced a cybersecurity program, which included classes in cyber forensic science and computer security, and I soon switched my major again.
After my sophomore year, I earned an IT internship with . Later, I started my first research project, titled ӰԭA Survey on Smartphone UsersӰԭ Security Choices, Awareness, and Education,Ӱԭ which was later published.
After graduating with my bachelorӰԭs degree in May 2018, I accepted an information security internship at . By the end of the summer, I was offered a full-time position. At the same time, I was offered a competitive graduate assistantship to return to the University of New Haven to pursue my master's degree in cybersecurity and networks. I ultimately decided to return to school to pursue my masterӰԭs degree, and I am so glad I did.
"As a student, I enjoyed volunteering at a variety of events, including a program for Girl Scouts on campus during which we taught the girls about digital forensics and cybersecurity. Courtney Hassenfeldt Ӱԭ18, Ӱԭ20 M.S.
From day one as a graduate student, my adviser, Dr. Abe Baggili, challenged me, and I am grateful for the opportunities and that he took a chance on me. In addition to my work as a research assistant for Dr. Baggili and collecting digital artifacts for the University's , I served as a teaching assistant for the ӰԭIntro to Cyber Forensic ScienceӰԭ and ӰԭSmall Scale Digital ForensicsӰԭ classes.
My studies enabled me to attend multiple conferences, including the conference in Hartford, Conn., where Professor Liberty Page was a featured speaker. I also presented a poster at in Portland, Oregon. A month after that, I was in Canterbury in England at the , where I presented a paper I co-authored called ӰԭMap My Murder: A Digital Forensic Study of Mobile Health and Fitness Applications.Ӱԭ I also went to , an information security conference, where I took part in a competition in which I finished in eighth place overall.
As a student, I enjoyed volunteering at a variety of events, including a program for Girl Scouts on campus during which we taught the girls about digital forensics and cybersecurity. I was thrilled to have been a part of a "Girls in STEM" (science, technology, engineering, and math) event for elementary school girls in which Professor Page and I taught the students about cryptography.
It was also amazing to help at the UniversityӰԭs GenCyber Camp that was held over the summer.
"From day one as a graduate student, my adviser, Dr. Abe Baggili, challenged me, and I am grateful for the opportunities and that he took a chance on me."Courtney Hassenfeldt Ӱԭ18, Ӱԭ20 M.S.
With the help of Professor Page, I started a WiCys (Women In Cybersecurity) student chapter on campus. Our first event was extremely successful. More than two dozen students attended our Ӱԭsnack & studyӰԭ event, and some amazing teaching assistants, as well as Professor Page, came to help students study. I think this shows how supportive we all are of one another. WiCys is a great organization that also holds an annual conference, which Cinthya Grajeda Mendez Ӱԭ17, Ӱԭ20 M.S. and I received scholarships to attend.
Throughout my time at the University, I have been grateful for the assistance and guidance of my professors, as well as the UniversityӰԭs staff members. Everyone is extremely helpful and dedicated to the students. The University fosters a great environment for learning and growth. When talking with other people at different schools, I quickly realized how unique the University of New Haven is, and I was happy to have been a part of of this community.
After completing a cybersecurity internship last summer at MITRE, a nonprofit that manages federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) supporting several U.S. government agencies Ӱԭ including a national cybersecurity federally funded research and development center Ӱԭ and working part time for the organization during the fall semester while I completed my masterӰԭs degree, I was offered a full-time position. In March, I will begin my role as a cybersecurity engineer with the organization.
I am excited for the future, and I know the University of New Haven has prepared me for success.
The Charger Blog
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The Charger Blog
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