Photo By William Roche | April Taylor-Melton is an Information Technology Specialist (Customer Support) for the...... read more read more
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Hometown: A proud Navy brat from Long Beach, Calif.
Duty Position: Information Technology Specialist (Customer Support), 781st Military
Intelligence Battalion (Cyber), Fort George G. Meade, Md.
QUICK SKETCH:
-- Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity
-- Has earned her CompTIA S + CE certification, a global baseline computer security certification
-- Volunteers as a CyberPatriot mentor at Meade High School on Fort Meade. CyberPatriot is the Air Force Association’s National Youth Cyber Education Program for middle and high school students.
ON WHY SHE VOLUNTEERS AS A CYBERPATRIOT MENTOR:
“I volunteer with the Meade High school CyberPatriot team to show other females and minorities that they have a place in the cyber community. I initially started in Information Technology 15 years ago as a private first class in the Army. During my many years on the job there have been very few females, let alone minority females, in my field. Currently I am the only female that works in the S6 shop at 781st. I would like others to see that it is very possible to not only work in the field, but be successful. The things that we teach the students at CyberPatriot will help set them up for success in the real-world industry. The things that we are teaching them are things we were required to get our jobs and maintain them in the ever-evolving world of technology.”
ON WHY SHE CHOSE TO BE AN ARMY CIVILIAN:
“I served in the U.S. Army for 10 years as an Information Technology Specialist (Military Occupational Specialty 25B). After my career was cut short due to a medical board I continued to work in the field as a DoD contractor. When the opportunity presented itself to me to become a part of the Army once again and finish out my career doing something I really enjoy, I jumped at the chance. I now get to work in the S6 as a civilian and put everything that I learned as a ‘green suiter’ to use wearing jeans.”
ON WHAT SHE WOULD RECOMMEND TO OTHERS SEEKING A SIMILAR PATH:
“I would suggest they start with the help desk. It allows you to learn everything hands on and it allows you to see all the pieces of the bigger IT picture. Since starting this career 15 years ago I have learned networking, information assurance, cybersecurity principles, and even troubleshooting from Tier One to Three.”
ON HER FUTURE GOALS:
“My future goals are to complete my master’s in cybersecurity and eventually move over into a cybersecurity role. I would also like to achieve my 20 years of service with the U.S. Army.”
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
“This is my all-time favorite quote because a big part of my job is customer service. It requires more than just fixing someone’s problem. A lot of the time it requires listening to their frustrations, empathizing, and giving them reassurance. When a call is done and a ticket is closed, they will hopefully remember me as someone who was there for them when they needed help.”
For information about civilian and uniformed career opportunities with Army Cyber Command, visit our website at www.arcyber.army.mil and click "Careers"
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ABOUT US: United States Army Cyber Command directs and conducts integrated electronic warfare, information and cyberspace operations as authorized, or directed, to ensure freedom of action in and through cyberspace and the information environment, and to deny the same to our adversaries.
| Date Taken: | 03.05.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.05.2019 10:52 |
| Story ID: | 312930 |
| Location: | FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 262 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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