Research, Trouble Shooting and Welcome Challenges
When she arrived in Port Angeles from Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, Aline Becker-Carneiro hoped to strengthen her English skills at Peninsula College and see what interested her academically. She had a bachelor’s degree in Tourism in her native country, but wasn’t sure she wanted to stick with the field.
Last spring, after some exploration, Aline decided to focus on getting her associate’s degree in Information Technology, and once done, will transfer to Western Washington University for her bachelor’s degree.
Along the way, she also became interested in pursuing an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, saying the program is attractive from a computer forensics, cyber security angle. She enjoys challenges and working with people, but was surprised how much she liked the field, after her advisor suggested taking a single class in the program.
Not surprisingly, this member of the PC Tech Club and Phi Theta Kappa names cybersecurity instructor Eric Waterkotte as a favorite because his unique teaching approach.
“He is hands-on, he listens to student’s suggestions, and he’s up to date on things,” she said. “He is something else. He props you up and gives you confidence.”
Aline took part in the annual Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition or PRCCDC last spring. The competition gives students a taste of defending information security assets as a real world IT professional would. She said it was a great way to improve her skills and see how the real world works.
While completing her associate degree in Cybersecurity and Computer Forensics she has worked in several capacities at PC. She started out in the music department, followed by Human Resources, then volunteered in the Information Technology (IT) department. Later, she was hired part time as an Information Technology Specialist in the College IT department, where she did her internship. She plans to continue working while pursuing her college education.
Off campus, she enjoys anything to do with the outside and horses, including competitions and trail rides, and used to live on a farm where she was able to do that. She also enjoys hiking, working on computers, and going places.
As for where she will land after graduation, that is still up for discussion. Aline said she and her boyfriend, who is also in the Cybersecurity and Computer Forensics program, have talked about working in either Brazil or in the US in IT and/or Cybersecurity field.
“My work allows me to troubleshoot and research, and has taught me a lot about the field,” she said.
For program information contact: (360) 417-6270 | ewaterkotte@pencol.edu
