Her Story
About Kali
I am in the midst of an exciting career transition from emergency services to cybersecurity. After spending four years as a 911 dispatcher for the New York City Police Department, working the challenging midnight shift in the Information Technology Bureau, I discovered my true calling in cybersecurity. My journey into this field began when IT analysts would come to fix our systems, and I found myself asking endless questions, watching them troubleshoot, and even attempting fixes on my own. A senior IT analyst finally told me, 'Why are you here? You should be in an IT program,' and that conversation changed everything. When I researched IT programs, I discovered cybersecurity and realized that much of what the field involves was similar to what I used to do as a teenager, just exploring the internet at 2 in the morning. I am now pursuing my Master of Science in Cybersecurity at Fordham University, set to graduate in December 2026. While building my technical foundation, I serve as a Development Lead for the Women's Society of Cyberjutsu, a nonprofit where I coordinate sponsorships, outreach, and cybersecurity-themed networking events and technical workshops. I was recently appointed as the Cybersecurity Club president at Fordham, a role I am excited to leverage as I work to break into the field. I am also studying for my CISSP certification. My biggest challenge right now is breaking into IT as a career switcher without a traditional computer science background, but I am positioning myself strategically through visibility, networking, and hands-on involvement in the cybersecurity community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kali
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family and my support system. They have been there for me through every transition and challenge, and their belief in me has been fundamental to everything I have ever accomplished.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to have more visibility and to not be afraid of what other people are going to think of me, because anything can change in a moment's notice. I got this advice from someone I met at a networking event after I embarrassed myself by asking a question and getting emotional. They told me that what I did, I should never be afraid to do that again and again and again, because visibility is what gets you noticed. This has completely changed how I approach my career transition.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
If you are a young woman entering IT, more specifically cybersecurity, do not be discouraged by the lack of women in this field. First, you must seek out community because there are a lot of influencial women in this industry that you should know about and get connected with. Stay inspired, and let that inspiration give you the momentum to keep learning, building, and breaking.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
At the moment, I'm struggling with finding a good project to really sink my teeth into. As a career-switcher, it's important to demonstrate my transferable skills as well as the skills I've learned in my master's program. So ultimately, it's just about honing my skills.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are community, integrity, and communication. I believe cybersecurity is a team sport, especially on the blue team, where success depends on people trusting each other, sharing information, and working together during high-pressure situations. Empathy and patience are also important values I bring to my work because security incidents can be stressful, and not everyone has experience operating under pressure. My background as a 911 dispatcher taught me how important it is to remain calm, communicate clearly, and support others when the stakes are high.
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