In August, I faced an unexpected layoff just two weeks after being informed by my manager, who had to read a prepared script. It was a difficult moment for both of us, and I only had a brief window to try and find another position internally. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, I couldn’t secure another role within that timeframe.
The timing was especially challenging as I had just become a Mexican citizen and recently taken my parents on a much-anticipated trip to Disney in Florida. Growing up, they missed out on the childhood experiences they deserved, and I also missed out on similar opportunities due to financial constraints. Juggling these personal commitments with the layoff news was overwhelming. I had to hand over my responsibilities and relationships with partners and teams to someone I respected and considered a mentor, which was bittersweet. Many were surprised by how well I took the news, but I knew it wasn’t personal—I had recently been promoted and received a raise, so I understood it was a business decision.
I quickly managed my severance package, visited the doctor for final prescriptions, and went to the unemployment office to inquire about eligibility. Although the severance provided temporary relief, as the only child supporting my parents, I knew it wouldn’t last. I shared the news on LinkedIn and within my networks, and I was grateful for the support, messages, and job leads I received. However, after a few interviews, I recognized I needed time to recharge from the burnout of constant upskilling. With that realization, I shifted my focus to personal care and targeted growth.
In August, I also participated in the Colorwave Fellowship, which I began in June. Through the fellowship, I worked on a project with Keyfactor, a cybersecurity provider, and studied for the Certified Information Privacy Technologist (CIPT) exam by IAAP and the ServiceNow Admin exam. Unfortunately, I didn’t pass either exam due to time constraints and resource limitations, but I was determined to keep pushing forward. I applied to the Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS) mentorship program, attended the HACE Virtual Career Fair and an in-person Goodwill job fair, and even won an autographed copy of Stronger Together.
💼 Salesforce AI NOW Tour: I also had the chance to attend the Salesforce AI NOW Tour, which featured four workshops:
Data Cloud: Learned how to connect, unify, and activate data.
Prompt Builder: Developed prompt templates grounded in customer data.
Einstein Copilot: Explored extending Einstein Copilot with custom actions.
Advanced AI: Implemented prompt templates from anywhere.
September: Staying Engaged and Broadening My Network
September was all about staying engaged and expanding my network. I attended several conferences and events, each providing valuable insights and connections:
Elevate Conference by Girl Geek X Community 💻: This event featured sessions on data engineering, generative AI, and job search strategies. I connected with inspiring professionals and gained fresh perspectives.
BITCON Atlanta 🎟️: Despite a flat tire, I made it to BITCON, where I volunteered at the registration area, organizing badges and meeting attendees. It turned out to be a rewarding way to contribute and connect with people in tech.
Atlanta Developers’ Conference 💡: Sessions on game development, architecture, and machine learning were highlights. Reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones reinforced the importance of community in my journey.
BSides Atlanta 🛡️: I participated in the OSINT CTF sponsored by CG Silvers Consulting and attended sessions like The Hunter Method and Neurodiversity in Information Security, which provided new insights.
Women In Technology (WIT) Career Fair 🏢: I engaged with companies like Cisco, Fiserv, and The Home Depot, took part in resume reviews, and practiced mock interviews. Networking with attendees and recruiters opened doors to new possibilities.
Official Cybersecurity Summit Atlanta 🔐: This summit featured panels on cloud security and SBOMs, offering a fantastic chance to deepen my knowledge in DevSecOps and quantum computing.
Latinas in Tech Recruit Job Fair 💼: I attended the Latinas in Tech Recruit job fair, connecting with tech companies actively seeking diverse talent and reinforcing my commitment to representation in the industry.
In addition to attending these events, I was thrilled to be accepted into several new programs, each offering unique learning experiences:
Digital Marketing Internship Program with Girls in Marketing provided me with valuable insights and skills in the field.
I also joined Latinas In Cyber’s FCP Network Security Certification Program and the Customer Discovery as a Salesforce Consultant Sprint with Clicked, where I'm working on a project scenario with Delta Airlines.
Additionally, I was accepted into Clicked's Career Catalyst program focusing on AI + CRM + Data, which is helping me develop a comprehensive skill set in these critical areas.
Incident Response and Review Mini Sprint with WiCyS and Clicked 🛡️: I gained hands-on experience in cybersecurity incident response, and I was excited to learn that I advanced to Tier 2 in the WiCyS Scholarship.
October: Expanding Impact and Skills Through Community and Learning
October continued to be filled with exciting learning opportunities, impactful projects, and community engagement:
🌐 Combatting Disinformation with Tech Training: I served as a support trainer for this bilingual training organized by Maria del "Rosario" Palacios. Working alongside Rosario was inspiring, and I'm thrilled to congratulate her on her new book, Project Management for Xingones, which has already been an incredible read.
💼 HashiConf Journey: As a HashiConf Scholar, I had the chance to connect with remarkable people, including AWS reinvent alumni. I shared my experiences in both English and Spanish, capturing the incredible sense of community and knowledge sharing at the event.
🎓 Graduated from Colorwave’s Technical Residency (TRAC) Program: I completed this residency in AI and cybersecurity, which included intensive coursework, a real-world project with Keyfactor, and valuable mentoring from industry leaders.
🔓 Open Source Security Foundation’s (OpenSSF) First Conference: Attending OpenSSF’s inaugural conference was a highlight of the month. I met inspiring new people and reconnected with old friends. I highly recommend OpenSSF’s free Developing Secure Software (LFD121) course to anyone interested in enhancing their secure software skills.
🛡️ TryHackMe and KubeCon Preparation: I completed the TryHackMe Web Fundamentals & Junior Pentester modules as part of my WiCyS scholarship CTF preparation. With a travel grant from the Linux Foundation, I’ll be heading to KubeCon in Nov and diving into the CTF afterward, excited to continue growing my cybersecurity expertise.
📜 IBM Z Day 2024 - AI & Data Certificate: Adding this certification has been incredibly rewarding, pushing me deeper into AI and data exploration.
🤖 AI en ACCION Cohort with the Latin American Association: I began the AI Fundamentals course on Coursera with my cohort, brainstorming AI projects using ChatGPT or Gemini. The interactive resources like PAIR Explorables have made the learning process enjoyable, and I’m looking forward to graduating from this program soon.
💬 Generation Data’s Election Misinformation Initiative: I assisted with bilingual sessions in Atlanta aimed at combating election misinformation. Working with Rosario again was a meaningful reminder of the importance of community-driven tech initiatives.
☁️ Código Facilito Cloud Databases Bootcamp: With a scholarship from Código Facilito, I joined the Bootcamp de Bases de Datos en la Nube, which has helped me enhance my cloud database skills and expand my technical terminology in Spanish.
🎉 Selected as a RenderATL 2025 Ambassador: In exciting news, I was selected as an ambassador for RenderATL 2025! I'm looking forward to contributing to the tech community in meaningful ways as we prepare for this impactful event.
Google DevEcosystem Communities Invitation: I’m honored to have received an invitation to join the Google DevEcosystem Communities! This program offers unique opportunities to connect with other professionals, stay up-to-date on Google’s latest technologies, and participate in exclusive events. I’m looking forward to diving in and bringing these insights back to my projects and network.
November: New Sprints, Certifications, and Career Growth
As we move into November, I’m diving into more opportunities to grow my skills and expand my expertise:
🌐 Three New Sprints: Having completed the Creating and Implementing a Cybersecurity Program sprint with Clicked & WiCyS, I’m now taking on three additional sprints. Each one builds upon my experience and pushes me closer to my goals in cybersecurity.
🔒 FortiGate Studies: I’m wrapping up my studies for the Fortinet Network Security certification, which will add another layer to my cybersecurity knowledge. I’m eager to apply this in real-world scenarios and continue growing in the field.
🎓 CareerCon 2024: On November 1, I’ll be attending CareerCon, a one-day immersive conference designed to prepare diverse professionals for tech opportunities, especially at Intuit. I’m excited for workshops on professional development, career pathways, negotiation, and more—new insights and networking await!
📜 Certification Preparation: Alongside job applications and interviews, I’m preparing for additional certifications like the Terraform Associate to further enhance my DevSecOps skills. These certifications will give me a competitive edge as I navigate the job market.
And let’s not forget the upcoming WiCyS scholarship CTF and KubeCon in Utah—both amazing opportunities to further expand my cybersecurity expertise! 😊 I’m also excited to share that I’ve made it to the final round of the National Leadership Council (NLC) Atlanta 2025 Institute.
Reflections on Networking and Community
This journey has been eye-opening, especially seeing how quickly some people disengage once they realize I’m between roles. It’s a reminder that genuine connections are built on mutual support and shared values. Through this mindset, I’ve been lucky to find a network of people who are truly there for me—offering encouragement, job leads, and opportunities to learn. I’m beyond grateful for those who’ve shown up, especially on days when I question if I still belong in tech.
Final Thoughts
Balancing all these new opportunities while job hunting isn’t easy, but I’m staying focused and resilient. Every experience and connection along the way is helping me grow, and I know it’s setting me up for the next chapter. If anything, I’m learning the importance of celebrating achievements, even the small ones, even though I don’t always take the time to do it. I’m genuinely grateful for everything that’s come my way.
For those who’ve been asking for updates about my job hunt, I’m open to new roles—even if it means starting from scratch. If you know of opportunities where my skills could make an impact, let’s connect! 😊