Yves Guerilus

As an immigrant from Haiti, I always saw the United States as a country where dreams come true. However, my path here was not easy. In 2010 I survived the Haitian earthquake that devastated my country. I lost countless friends and family members. After twelve days of no food or water, living in the rubble, I was lifted out of Haiti's devastation and began my new life in the United States. Although that time was challenging for me, I was grateful to have the opportunity to start again in the land of possibility.
When I was facing Haiti's most significant challenges, I clearly remember members of the United States military ascending on the land. Because of this memory, I knew that I wanted to give back. I then enlisted in the United States Army and finally served the country that had brought me hope. After nearly three years, I was honorably discharged after an injury that forced me to undergo seven knee surgeries. Although the multiple surgeries caused me once again to worry that my life would change forever, I had to keep my eye on the possibility of healing myself. Today, I am still recovering from the injury, but I know that I am doing the best I can in the face of yet another significant challenge.
Although I should have given up in the face of the challenges I have seen in my life, I look back and see what seemed impossible is now happening. After serving in the military, I enrolled at the San Antonio College, graduating with two Associate's degrees in Business Administration and General Science. After graduating with my Associate's degree, I enrolled at the University of Texas at San Antonio in the College of Business to pursuit a Bachelor's degree in cybersecurity. After multiple knee surgeries, I judged it would be imperative to continue serving the country in uniform. I plan to use my education to continue the undying loyalty and service to the country. According to the July 12, 2016, Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Strategy memorandum: "Both Federal and private sector executives cite the lack of professionals with the requisite knowledge and skills as a significant impediment to improving their cybersecurity. However, there simply is not a sufficient supply of cybersecurity talent to meet the increasing demand of the Federal Government…." Being a student at the #1 ranked cybersecurity program in the nation, I want to amass the training, skills, and experience to respond to the dearth of qualified applicants facing the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce. I aspire to become a great information security analyst and a highly-skilled cybersecurity expert to protect the national security interests against foreign and domestic adversaries or those who wish to harm the nation.

Acquiring a Bachelor's degree as a first-generation student would help provide validation and love for my mother, who has always pushed me to do what seems impossible, and to the United States, the nation that welcomes me in the time of my darkest challenges.