Graduation marks both an ending and a launch point. It’s a moment filled with ambition, reflection and big plans on the horizon. We wanted to feel some of that excitement again, so we reached out to the Cyber@UCI Club to hear from some graduating students about cybersecurity, their dreams and where they’re headed next. Two members of the club shared their experiences with us. Sterling Gip is a Computer Science major, and Kristen Chung is an Informatics major.
Sterling Gip: Computer Science Major
What are your immediate plans after graduation?
Go back to my hometown and see friends and family before I start my Vulnerability Research internship.
What about cybersecurity interests you?
Cybersecurity interests me because it allows me to put in practice a bunch of theoretical ideas that I find kind of cool, as well as see how it plays in almost every single app I have. I also like the very technical concepts and distinct categories in the big field of cyber.
What is your dream job? Dream company?
My dream job would be a role in low-level development, low-level security, or both at the same time! My dream company / team would be to work in Google Project Zero, Apple, or Hex-Rays. Working independently as a security researcher would also be interesting.
What are you most excited about regarding your future?
In the technical aspect, I’m very excited to see interesting things in security as well as work on new technologies. Overall, I’m excited to develop more of my hobbies and artistic side!
What’s your top concern about technology today?
My top concern about technology today is the lack of protection on personally identifiable information as well as the culture on software development putting security as an afterthought. Personally, I don’t have a large online presence, but even then, I’m worried about how others can gain information on me just through my basic internet usage.
Learn more about Sterling on his LinkedIn profile.
Kristen Chung: Informatics Major
What are your immediate plans after graduation?
After graduation, I will be moving to San Francisco and working as a full-time systems engineer at Okta. I also plan to travel and spend as much time with friends and family before I start working.
What about cybersecurity interests you?
I like how cybersecurity is a very hands-on field. I enjoy learning about the infrastructure side of things, and I can apply what I learned directly to my own homelab. I feel like there’s always something new to learn, which keeps me engaged and curious.
What are you most excited about regarding your future?
I am most excited to experience living in a new city and getting to work in the cybersecurity industry. I am also looking forward to meeting new people and continuing my hobbies like climbing and pottery!
What’s your top concern about technology today?
One of my top concerns is in regards to artificial intelligence and how it can be leveraged. I recently competed at the Western Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, where red teamers were given full access to AI tools to carry out attacks. Getting to witness firsthand how AI could be used was both interesting and a bit unsettling. I am also concerned about the broader impact AI has on the job market and education, and what can be done to address these issues.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for my university’s cybersecurity club, Cyber@UCI. Finding a community here allowed me to grow, learn, and meet some amazing people. I am very grateful for the opportunities and the connections I made here throughout my undergrad journey.
Learn more about Kristen on her LinkedIn profile.
Learn more about how the students in the Cyber@UCI Club toured a cutting-edge cybersecurity command center at the 15th UC Cyber Security Summit in 2024 in our blog.
