Gabriela Patterson

Q: “Tell us about yourself: your family, friends, interests, and professional experience.”
A: “I am married to my wonderful husband and have two beautiful daughters. I also have three fur babies, and I love spending time with my family, reading, and learning new skills. I also love to nap and organize things.

I was active-duty Air Force for eight years as a diet therapist. I separated from the service in 2014 and returned to school after my second daughter was born. I rejoined the workforce in 2018, working in healthcare information technology. I worked as an electronic health record system administrator, a SQL database administrator, and then moved into the cybersecurity field. I currently work in cybersecurity as a civilian for the United States Air Force.”

Q: “What was your motivation for pursuing your degree?”
A: “I knew I wanted to get my master's degree, and I always want to be a good example for my daughters. I had gotten halfway through a Master of Public Health at another university, but fate had another path for me. When I hit a roadblock in being able to complete the practicum hours after moving to Germany and having to study for a certification for my new job, I took a break from the program. I then discovered a passion for cybersecurity that led me to explore other degree programs. A graduate I worked with had attended Norwich and raved about the cybersecurity program. Digging into it, I decided it would be a good fit and the best option for career progression and advancement.”

Q: “Why did you choose Norwich?”
A: “I loved the program layout, and the research showed me it was one of the top universities for my field. As a working mom, only having to take one course at a time is realistic, and the time commitment is manageable.

Currently, I am pursuing my MBA through Norwich, and my husband is also enrolled in the program. Because the workload is manageable, we are still able to spend quality time with our family and not overtask ourselves. The instructors are very understanding when issues arise and work with us when we need extra time. Because the students are so diverse, I feel it brings more unique perspectives to the classroom experience and creates an environment that stimulates critical thinking.”

Q: “Prior to beginning your courses, what were some of your expectations for an online degree program?” 
A: “I really only had one expectation going into it. I had the expectation that it would be difficult for me to stay up with my peers because I did not have a traditional information technology background. One great thing was the instructors were very willing to help beyond the classroom to help me understand concepts better when I was not understanding. I was not the only one coming from a different background than information technology. Once I discovered that I was not alone, some relief kicked in, and it created a sense of a team in that we were in the same boat working toward the same goal, and we were all going to hit some bumps together.”

Q: “What is one piece of advice you would give to future students enrolling into one of Norwich's online programs?”
A: “This may seem corny, but don't be afraid to put yourself out there a little with your classmates. One of the big things missed with online versus traditional is the personal connections you make with others. You can still do that, and you never know, you may end up with a job offer or a lifelong friend out of the deal.”

Q: “How do you plan to use your degree in your career?”
A: “Advancement in my career. Changing careers in my 30s was hard, but doing this degree has helped tremendously. Without this program, it would have taken me longer to gain the knowledge base I needed to be proficient and excel in the cybersecurity field. I am honest with my bosses that there is a lot I do not know, but I am willing to learn. This degree has given me a good foundation to build my skills.”

Q: “What has been your biggest personal or professional success since starting and/or completing your coursework and degree?”
A: “My current job and the job I will be moving to next month. The pay grade in the government civil service system goes from 1-15. At the age of 34, I am at grade 13. Many people work their entire lives to get up the scale, and this program has given me the advantage to jump to the higher end quickly.”

Q: “What aspects of your Norwich experience will you carry most strongly with you?” 
A: “I feel a sense of engagement with Norwich – more than I did with my previous online program at a different university. That creates a sense of pride and connection with the university that I will always have.”