From Classroom to Cybersecurity: Marissa’s Career-Defining Internship at Globe

Dive into the journey of Marissa Villaceran, a college student from the De La Salle University (DLSU) who transformed theory into practice during her impactful internship at Globe's Governance, Risk, and Compliance department. During her time, she crafted threat models for advanced technologies like Chatbot AI and AWS, collaborated with an inspiring mentor, and thrived in a supportive team environment. Discover the valuable lessons she learned and the passion for innovation and security that was ignited during her journey.

From July to December, I had the incredible opportunity to intern in Globe's Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) team, specifically with the Security Risk Assessment and Compliance (SRAC) under the Information Security and Data Privacy group. This experience not only enhanced my skills but also shaped my perspective on the professional world.

Globe's mission to uplift Filipino lives specifically inspired me.

As a third-year BS Computer Science student at De La Salle University, with a major in Network and Information Security, I was eager to apply my classroom knowledge in a real-world setting. When I discovered the internship position at Globe, it felt like the perfect fit for my goal of gaining hands-on experience in cybersecurity. I prepared extensively for the interview, leveraging guidance from my professors and practicing my presentations to effectively demonstrate my skills and enthusiasm.

Tasked by Miss Sharon to present our knowledge and expertise, I chose to present ethical hacking to the SRAC division.

Stepping into The Globe Tower in BGC on my first day was exhilarating. My onboarding introduced me to cloud technologies, security principles, and tools like Jira and Confluence, providing a strong foundation for understanding the team's processes. The warm welcome from my colleagues, including the supportive atmosphere fostered by my mentor, Ms. Sharon Mallorca-Torreverde, made me feel right at home. During "Tara, Kape!" meetings, I shared experiences and received constructive feedback, which encouraged my professional growth.

I witnessed how Globe values both security and quality in everything it provides, motivating me to be part of a team that upholds these standards.

Gathering with my co-interns and the GRC team after the seminar to discuss and catch up on our progress.

My role involved creating threat models for various services, identifying potential risks, and ensuring compliance with security standards. I worked with advanced technologies such as Chatbot AI systems and Amazon Web Services (AWS). One significant project was developing a threat model for Chatbot AI, where I learned the importance of a comprehensive approach to security. Feedback from my supervisor helped me refine my analysis, emphasizing the value of collaboration and critical thinking.

After a successful presentation with my co-intern, alongside my mentor and the SRAC division.

The hybrid work setup allowed me to engage in both onsite collaborations and remote meetings. In my weekly catch-ups with my team, I presented my progress on threat modeling, developing confidence and learning to communicate complex concepts in layman's terms. The collaborative environment fostered continuous improvement, not just individually, but as a team.

My internship experience at Globe has not only prepared me for my career, but has also instilled in me a commitment to making a positive impact in this field.

I was also fortunate to attend Globe events like GDay and plAI: Ground, where I explored transformative AI tools and connected with industry professionals. These experiences enriched my understanding of Globe's commitment to innovation and customer well-being, affirming the company’s values that resonate deeply with me.

Together with my co-interns at the plAIground seminar which discussed various AI technologies and their impact.

Globe's mission to uplift Filipino lives specifically inspired me. My role contributed to this mission by ensuring the security of services that protect customer data and foster trust. I witnessed how Globe values both security and quality in everything it provides, motivating me to be part of a team that upholds these standards.

My time at Globe solidified my desire to work in an environment where mentorship and growth are prioritized, and I aspire to return one day to contribute to innovative projects alongside exceptional leaders.

As my internship came to an end, I had the chance to demonstrate ethical hacking to the SRAC team, sparking engaging discussions around cybersecurity practices. The feedback I received, particularly about using storytelling elements in presentations, was invaluable and something I intend to apply moving forward.

Presenting Ethical Hacking to the SRAC division alongside my mentor, sharing insights and strategies.

Reflecting on my journey, I am grateful for the warm mentorship of Ms. Sharon. Her balance of authority and approachability created an enriching environment where learning thrived. She encouraged us to utilize resources such as LinkedIn Learning and invited us to participate in events that broadened our perspectives.

When I discovered the internship position at Globe, it felt like the perfect fit for my goal of gaining hands-on experience in cybersecurity.

My experience at Globe has ignited a lasting curiosity about emerging security technologies, particularly regarding their proactive security measures. I now feel more prepared to explore fields like cloud computing and AI security as I seek future internships to further develop my expertise.

Wrapping up the internship chapter with my mentor and co-intern, reflecting on our journey and accomplishments.

Having been inspired by my co-interns’ accomplishments and their passion for learning, I recently earned an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification. My time at Globe solidified my desire to work in an environment where mentorship and growth are prioritized, and I aspire to return one day to contribute to innovative projects alongside exceptional leaders.

As I prepare to graduate, I am excited about the future and eager to deepen my skills in cybersecurity and cloud computing. My internship experience has not only prepared me for my career but has also instilled in me a commitment to making a positive impact in the field.

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