Finding her Passion

Maria Fermin Porte had graduated from Fanshawe with a business diploma and was having a successful career working in business management. But something was missing.

Maria has long had an interest in web development and after some research and obtaining advice from a student success advisor, she was accepted into Fanshawe’s cybersecurity program, finding her true career passion.

Maria enjoys the variety of the cybersecurity program, calling it very well-rounded as it touches on many topics and concepts. She also highlights the program’s hands-on approach.

I realized that just because you’re good at something, it doesn’t mean it’s going to make you happy and that was the case with my career at the time,” Maria says.

“I love getting the opportunity to work in a real server room,” she says. “Many people currently in the industry haven’t had the chance to physically touch some of the devices that a lot of us in the program have. Having the opportunity to cable networks and physically see your work is amazing.”

Maria was able to apply the skills she’s learned in her co-op placement with IBM. “I felt like a kid working in a toy store,” she says of the experience. “Everyone there was amazing, from the Human Resources staff in the U.S. that held a super welcoming remote conference for the new IBMers, to my coworkers in the office and around the world who made me feel part of the team from day one. Their culture is all about uplifting one another, helping solve problems and being inclusive in every sense of the word.”

That inclusivity is important to Maria as a female working in what has typically been a male dominated industry. “I have been lucky enough to find great allies in my classmates, professors and other people in the industry,” she says. “I have met many male allies that either don’t see any separation whatsoever when it comes to gender and capabilities or that recognize that women can sometimes bring a new approach or way of thinking that is equally valuable to the industry.”

Maria doesn’t know what path she will take in her career and is hoping two more co-op terms will help her narrow it down. But as the mom of a young daughter, she feels a sense of duty to protect our most vulnerable.

Keeping children safe online will play an important role for me and will always remain at the top of my cybersecurity career goals.