Major: Computer Science and Engineering & Mathematics

• Internship: Foundation for Defense for Democracies
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulmatgeorge/
• Current Position: Not Available

 Tell us about your internship – what kind of work did you do? What did you find rewarding?

During my internship at Foundation for Defense for Democracies, I looked into cybersecurity practices employed by different sectors and companies. I would report back to my supervisor on a regular basis and complete write-ups that would later be used for company papers. Through this, I was able to become one of the authors of a technical piece.

I also compiled a comprehensive excel file on the recommendations for different sectors to make it easier to see how certain industries differ in their implementation. I looked at a case study on a Ukrainian Distribution Hack to compare cybersecurity practices at that time and the lessons learned from that. I enjoyed the research process and learning what the field of cybersecurity is like and its general goals. I also attended a water security conference and learned about the cyber security aspects present there. It was interesting to realize how susceptible companies are to cyber attacks and learn the process of how cybersecurity companies tackle these issues.

Have your career or life goals changed as a result of your internship? If so, how? 

Prior to UCDC, I wasn't sure what career path I should pursue. I was applying to many places in a variety of fields. After my internship, I had an appreciation for cybersecurity and realized that it might be the career track for me. Right now, I'm looking for security analyst positions so I can work my way to becoming a CISO, Chief Information Security Officer, which tends to be the peak in someone's cybersecurity career. Of course, I'm still open to other opportunities and time will tell.

Share an exciting memory from your internship – something unexpected, an accomplishment, someone you met. 

My supervisor and I met virtually since she doesn't live in the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia) area. However, she was holding a conference in DC so I had an opportunity to meet her in-person and have dinner, which she paid for. We talked about our interests, life and careers. That dinner inspired me to consider pursuing cybersecurity further within my future career.

Share a story about something special you did in Washington – an event you attended, a place you went, an exciting talk, etc. 

My class seminar, Washington Myths, went on a field trip to Ben's Chili Bowl towards the end of the quarter. We had the chance to hear the history of the restaurant, such as when it was established and the types of meetings that took place there. We met the owner too. It was nice to be able to connect with fellow classmates and reflect about our time in the capital.

How has living in the nation's capital for a quarter changed you?

I'm so grateful to have been in the nation's capital and experience the rich history of it from the monuments and museums to the people. I got a taste of working life and made a lot of new connections. I feel more prepared for the east coast the next time I visit.

Do you have any advice for future UCDC students?

I strongly recommend creating a to-do list of all the places you want to visit and the trips you want to take before coming here. There is a lot to do, so it might require advanced planning if you want to visit places like the White House, for example. I also recommend finding a community that suits you and connect with people who have lived in DC for a while, by joining programs like a running club or other small organizations. It's okay to be slightly overwhelmed with the city but you'll get comfortable soon!