As a kid, I always loved solving math problems and playing on computers. But never did I think back then I’d pursue a career as a software engineer.

It probably would have taken me longer to find my career path had I not considered the military as an option. For that, I owe a debt of gratitude to my aunt, a Naval Academy grad and a commissioned Marine who spoke so highly of her military service that it made me also curious to see if the military could be an attractive avenue for me to pursue. After graduating from the Coast Guard Academy, I launched a five-year mission that not only fulfilled my desire to serve our nation, but also honed my technical skills.