Graduate Finds Her Place as a Woman in Cybersecurity

Increasing Women's Role in Cybersecurity

Cyber Intelligence and Security (CIS) alumna Michaela Adams (’21) aspires to be a mentor for young women looking to enter the traditionally male-dominated field of cybersecurity.

“I knew that going into a STEM-related field, I was going to be outnumbered,” said Adams, one of Aviation Week Network's 20 Twenties. “When I started my undergraduate degree in 2017, women represented only 11% of the cybersecurity field. This scared me a bit.”

Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott Campus is home to the nation’s first College of Business, Security and Intelligence, training tomorrow’s leaders in cyber intelligence and security. Adams, who graduated from the program in 2021, credits Embry‑Riddle for providing her the confidence to lead in a field that has historically underrepresented women. 

“It can be intimidating being the only [woman] in the room, knowing that it is your job to speak out and work harder than anyone else, just to prove that you belong,” she said. “Finding other women and allies in cybersecurity helped me realize that I truly belong, that my voice matters and I can do whatever I set my mind to.”

After graduating from Embry‑Riddle, Adams was hired as a cybersecurity engineer at MITRE in Washington D.C. and has recently been promoted to senior cybersecurity engineer where she focuses primarily on threat hunting and detection engineering.

For Adams, the journey to Embry‑Riddle started with an interest in computers.

Why choose Embry‑Riddle to study cybersecurity?

I remember my sophomore year of high school, I received a letter in the mail about a degree in Cyber Intelligence and Security from a school in Prescott, Arizona. That summer, my family and I drove from California to visit the campus. From that point on, there were no other options. I knew I wanted to pursue my passion while being able to protect people.

Because of the people I met, the resources the college provided and the opportunities for career and professional growth, I knew my journey would thrive.

What is it like being a cybersecurity major?

Starting freshman year, it was terrifying. I moved to a different state, didn’t know anyone and had little knowledge about cybersecurity. Throughout my years in the program, my confidence grew. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and made lifelong friendships.

I gained skills in multiple areas of cybersecurity, including network security, aviation cybersecurity and malware analysis. Small class sizes allowed me to form beneficial connections with my professors and grow with my peers.

All this contributed to the professional experiences I had, including three internships, three conferences and two certifications. The people, classes and networking all prepared me to be brave, open and confident in the next step of my journey.

What extracurricular activities did you participate in?

I joined multiple groups during my time in school, including the Cyber Defense Club and the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) affiliate. I saw firsthand how people learned from each other, extended opportunities for growth and supported each other in their wins.

One of my most memorable moments was going to my first cyber competition. I competed twice in the Department of Energy’s CyberForce Competition, a two-day competition focused on cyber-physical infrastructure cybersecurity. The competition felt like my first big break and helped me grow confident in my abilities.

Extra curricular involvement helped me learn new skills outside of the classroom and across disciplines. Much of the time, it didn’t feel like extra work but just friends getting together to learn about things we were passionate about.