From Deploying Troops to Defending Data: Mutya Yanamura's Mission-Driven Cybersecurity Journey

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Mutya Yanamura, a graduate of the Fullstack Academy Cybersecurity Bootcamp, exemplifies the power of a mission-driven mindset in navigating a career pivot. With over a decade of experience in project management, including deploying troops for the Department of Defense, Mutya's background wasn't in traditional tech. However, a spark ignited when her sister-in-law, a software engineer, introduced her to the world of coding. This initial curiosity in coding evolved into pursuing a passion for cybersecurity and enrolling with Fullstack Academy.

“I actually started looking into coding, but then I started digging more into it and found cybersecurity. And I knew right away it was because I had such a mission-driven mindset," Mutya recalls, highlighting the natural alignment between her past experiences and the critical nature of cybersecurity. She fully immersed herself in Fullstack Academy's cybersecurity bootcamp, praising its "gamified version, the teaching style... it was just so fun."

Mutya credits Fullstack Academy with providing the foundational knowledge and confidence she needed to transition into a new field. “Being able to attend Fullstack [Academy] and being confident enough to say, ‘hey, I had hands-on experience with that. I have familiarity with this tool. I don't know all of it, but I'm teachable and I'm ready to learn,' and they're [employers] all about it from my experience."

While breaking into the field took persistence and strategic networking, Mutya's dedication paid off. She secured her first role as a System Administrator (“Sys Admin”), which led to another Sys Admin position with a school district, and then a contracting role at NASA. Today, Mutya is thriving as a Security Engineer for a Medicare provider in Northern California, a role she describes as “loving it ever since" she started at the company.

Mutya emphasizes the significance of community in the cybersecurity world, highlighting that it's a close-knit group of passionate individuals. “The community is quite small," she shares, adding that it's made up of "really cool nerds who just want to talk about their craft and are so excited to dive into it.” She stresses the importance of finding networking and organizational groups that resonate with your personal interests, which is key for growth in the field.

If you're ready to transform your passion for problem-solving into a rewarding career, Fullstack Academy Tech Bootcamps offers immersive programs that equip you with the in-demand tech skills employers are seeking.