The Shift from Technology Deficiency to the Expansive World of Cybersecurity

Lucy Marie-Antoinette Tyrteos, a junior transfer student majoring in Applied Computer Science with a concentration in Cybersecurity at the University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA), began her educational journey at the College of Charleston (CofC) before transferring to Trident Technical College, where she earned an associate’s degree in Cybersecurity.

Raised in Aiken, Tyrteos was no stranger to weak Wi-Fi connections and a lifestyle where technology wasn’t central to her everyday life. It wasn’t until she started college that she began to feel the pull of technology and the digital world.

Reflecting on her early college days, Tyrteos recalled, "It felt like stepping into a completely new world. I quickly developed an appreciation for networks and computers that others around me took for granted. I joined the Cybersecurity Club at CofC, and it was there that I was exposed to technology I had never imagined." This newfound interest quickly evolved into a deep passion for Cybersecurity.

Her journey into the field accelerated in 2023 when a family connection led her to an internship at Argonne National Laboratory in Illinois. She was accepted into the Malware Analysis Internship, an experience that proved transformative. During her time at Argonne, Lucy worked alongside fellow interns on the CyberFire exercises, a series of real-world cybersecurity challenges led by security experts from various national laboratories, including Los Alamos National Laboratory. She had the chance to explore topics such as Network Archaeology, Digital Forensics, Malware Analysis, and Operational Technology. What set this internship apart was the hands-on approach to learning. As Tyrteos put it, "Instead of focusing solely on theoretical research, we were learning by doing."

By the end of the summer, Tyrteos had taken on the role of a peer mentor for the CyberFire competition, a position that involved teaching others the same exercises she had worked on during her internship. Her focus was specifically on Malware Analysis.

Reflecting on the lessons she learned from her internship experience, Tyrteos shared, "I realized that stepping outside of your comfort zone is the only way to discover how far you can go. College isn’t just about academics, it’s about growing as a person when no one’s watching. Charisma isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you develop through exposure and experience."

Leveraging the skills and connections she gained at Argonne, Tyrteos' career trajectory took off. She secured a second internship at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, where she contributed to her first scholarly publication. More recently, she has been accepted for an internship with Savannah River Mission Completion this summer. "My internships have been invaluable," Tyrteos reflected. "They’ve given me a significant advantage in my job search while I work toward completing my bachelor’s degree."

For other students looking to follow in her footsteps, Tyrteos had this advice to share: "Attend conferences. Go to career fairs. Be proactive on LinkedIn. Join a club related to your field of study. Use every available resource, whether digital or academic, to its fullest potential."

Tyrteos' journey from a rural town with limited technological exposure to a rapidly advancing career in cybersecurity is a testament to her perseverance, curiosity, and dedication to learning.

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.