Parth Oza
MSIM alum
Q: Please share any additional academic plans (dual degree, research focus, minor, specialization, etc.) you may be pursuing.
A: In spring 2023, I graduated with a Master of Science in Information Management with a specialization in Information & Cyber Security from the Information School. During my time at the iSchool, I pursued a number of challenging certifications and industry-recognized exams in cloud computing, solution architecture, IT audit, and security risk management.
Q: Please tell us about your background and why you decided to come to the iSchool.
A: I completed my bachelor鈥檚 degree in information technology, which provided me with a solid foundation in the IT field. After graduation, I worked with Ernst and Young (EY), a Big 4 consulting organization for about 3 years, specifically in their technology risk practice. My work at EY involved conducting IT audits, identifying technology process improvements, and assessing security programs for Fortune 500 organizations. This exposure allowed me to work with diverse teams, solve complex problems, and develop a strong understanding of the critical role information security plays in today's digital landscape.
Motivated by my experiences and the desire to make a greater impact, I decided to pursue further education at the Information School. I was excited to learn from esteemed faculty, collaborate with my peers and contribute to the school鈥檚 mission of driving meaningful change in the information landscape. 911爆料网's vision and mission resonated with me, as it aims to produce information leaders who can address and solve the information challenges that transform lives. I aspire to become a leader in the information security field, and I believe that the iSchool鈥檚 comprehensive program and flexible curriculum definitely help in achieving career goals.
Q: What excites you about the information field?
A: The ever-changing landscape of the information field and the need for continuous learning due to rapid innovation ensures that I am always learning and adapting to new challenges. Technological advancements offer new opportunities to explore and solve problems across various sectors, such as health care, IT, e-commerce, etc.
Safeguarding information is essential for enabling its translation into business value and social good, and this is where cybersecurity plays a vital role. Information and cybersecurity are crucial in protecting knowledge and ensuring the safety of individuals and organizations. I am excited about the endless growth and problem-solving opportunities in this field, which enable me to make a positive impact on society.
Q: What鈥檚 been your favorite iSchool course or learning experience (i.e. directed fieldwork, research project, etc.)?
A: I enjoyed Cybersecurity Foundations, Cybersecurity Trends, and IMT 598: Emerging Technologies courses the most at iSchool. Cybersecurity Foundations provided a comprehensive overview of security fundamentals, attack analysis, and security controls. The final projects and engaging case studies involved analyzing real-life security breaches and gave me valuable insights into implementing effective controls for a well-established security posture.
IMT 598: Emerging Technologies, which covered cloud computing, low-code/no-code platforms, and digital transformation, was a great learning experience as well. These topics hold significant relevance in today's world as organizations strive to leverage these technologies for a competitive edge. The course structure, particularly the projects, not only deepened our understanding of the technologies but also highlighted their business advantages and technical implementations.
Overall, these courses provided in-depth knowledge and practical skills necessary in the field of cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
Q: Tell us about an experience you鈥檝e had at the iSchool that has informed or reshaped your career goals.
A: My interactions with faculty at the iSchool, especially those working with technology giants within the industry, have provided me with clarity and exposure to the kind of problem-solving happening in the field of cybersecurity. All of these conversations with faculty help transition the skills we are learning at the iSchool to the internships and jobs we end up doing. It鈥檚 been great to learn how faculty is using emerging technologies to solve problems in all kinds of organizations. Learning from the expertise of such faculty has helped expand and reshape the way I think and the way I solve problems working in the industry. Professor Andrew Reifers in particular is someone I worked closely with throughout my time at the iSchool, and I was able to learn a lot from his experience as a security leader in the industry. I also learned a lot from Professor Fawad Khan, who works at Microsoft. All of these interactions have been very memorable and a valuable learning experience, allowing me to develop soft skills and leadership qualities and learn from the professional journeys of all the knowledgeable faculty at the iSchool.
Q: What about your iSchool journey thus far are you most proud of?
A: As a first-generation, international graduate student, I鈥檓 most proud of my leadership role within the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) at the University of Washington. ISACA-UW is a student organization focused on contributing to the future of the digital trust and cybersecurity profession. As vice president, my role for the chapter was related to student outreach and helping bridge the gap between students and resources related to a career in cybersecurity. We organized a number of guest speaker sessions with professionals and faculty that came and shared more about their journey. Hosting ISACA-UW events and the leadership opportunities it has provided have been a great moment of pride for me. Even now as I鈥檓 transitioning to life post-graduation, I am excited to join the ISACA Seattle chapter as part of their education committee.
I am also proud of the diverse scholarships that I have received, including the Institute of Internal Auditors Student Scholarship Award three years in a row from 2020-2022 and the University of Washington-Coalfire Richard E. Dakin Cybersecurity Scholarship for 2022-2023. As a first-generation student who was worried about how I would complete my education without any significant debt, these scholarships have really helped open up opportunities for me.
Q: What is next on the horizon for you?
A: I am excited to continue my journey into the field of cybersecurity with a focus on becoming a security leader. I will be joining Salesforce as a senior analyst in the cybersecurity governance, risk and compliance domain. I plan to utilize the knowledge I have gained at the Information School to tackle real-world cybersecurity challenges, particularly in the areas of cloud security, security compliance and customer trust. With the recent focus on efficiency and effectiveness, one of my goals will be to introduce automation into the security landscape to solve challenges at scale.
I aspire to transition into a role as a security compliance thought leader or even a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Through my work, I aim to protect people, processes, and technology within organizations, ensuring that emerging technologies like AI can be adopted and used safely without compromising security, privacy and trust.
Furthermore, I am committed to giving back to the University of Washington and the Information School community. Mentorship from the iSchool played such a significant role in helping guide me through my journey, and I would like to give back and do the same for other students through my involvement with ISACA-Seattle. By getting associated with and volunteering for cybersecurity industry chapters, I would like to contribute to the future of the profession and help aspiring security professionals.
Q: What鈥檚 the best advice you have ever received?
A: The best advice I ever received was from Professor Mike Doane during my first quarter at the iSchool. I was taking his class, Foundations of Information Management, and he shared a lot about the importance of networking in our professional journeys. 鈥淚t's all about who you know and who knows you,鈥 he said. Because you never know where your next job might come from and who you might work with in the future, so it鈥檚 all about building your network and making a good impression.