My Experience at Champlain College
Champlain College has played a huge role in shaping how I think about technology, cybersecurity, and real world problem solving. From the beginning, the focus was never just theory. Classes consistently pushed hands on work, lab based learning, and projects that reflect what actually happens in industry.
Through my coursework, I gained experience in networking, system administration, digital forensics, incident response, and automation. Many assignments were structured like real enterprise environments, where planning, documentation, and verification mattered just as much as making something work.
One of the most impactful parts of my time at Champlain has been collaborative project work. Working alongside other students forced me to communicate technical ideas clearly, troubleshoot under pressure, and think critically about design decisions. These experiences helped bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional expectations.
Capstone Experience
My capstone project brought everything together. Working with Connor East and Seraphim Gerber, I helped design and build an automated virtual lab focused on malware remediation using Proxmox and Ansible. The project challenged us to think beyond individual systems and focus on infrastructure, repeatability, and verification.
This was not a one time build. We treated the lab as a living system that could be improved, broken, rebuilt, and tested again. We dealt with real challenges like network segmentation, automation failures, artifact validation, and time constraints. Those challenges were where the most learning happened.
The capstone showed me how much stronger solutions become when automation, security, and documentation are treated as equally important parts of a system.
Growth Beyond the Classroom
Champlain also encouraged learning outside formal assignments. I spent a lot of time building homelabs, experimenting with tools, and applying what I learned in class to personal projects. This helped reinforce concepts and gave me confidence working independently.
More importantly, Champlain helped me develop a mindset focused on continuous improvement. Technology changes fast, and the ability to learn, adapt, and iterate matters more than memorizing tools.
Looking Forward
As I continue building and refining my capstone project, I am applying the same mindset Champlain emphasized throughout my education. Test often, automate where possible, document clearly, and always verify results.
My time at Champlain College prepared me not just to enter the field, but to keep growing in it.