For many students, an online degree can be exciting, convenient and flexible. When you reach beyond the screen, it can also serve as a launching pad for personal and professional growth.
Boise State’s online Bachelor of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience student Ashlyn Nguyen is an example of someone who reaches beyond the screen. Her journey demonstrates that succeeding in higher education is about more than getting good grades.
Now a senior, Ashlyn has embraced every opportunity that has come her way.
Turning challenges into opportunities
Nguyen was born and raised in Idaho’s Treasure Valley. Her parents came to the United States from Vietnam before she was born. Both passionate about higher education, her parents became first-generation college graduates. Through hard work and sacrifice, they overcame cultural and financial barriers, creating opportunities for Nguyen to achieve her dreams. With her heart set on cyber, and a little coaxing, Nguyen’s family was soon 100% on board.
“I am merely a product of their efforts, and I am so fortunate that I have been able to pursue the cyber security program,” Nguyen said.
When Nguyen started looking into colleges, it was during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Right before I graduated [from high school] I was trying to choose a career. During the pandemic especially is when [my parents] were really worried,” she said. She and her family discussed the probable job security that could come with a degree in the health sciences.
But after finding Boise State’s online cyber operations and resilience program, she knew this is what she wanted to do.
“I did a lot of pitching to [my parents] about how cybersecurity is obviously something that is used in every industry — just not every industry knows it yet,” she said.
Opening doors through communication
Early in the program, Nguyen faced a challenge.
“We just go through so much every seven-week session, one of my biggest barriers in the program was trying to find ways to apply it in my life when I wasn’t working in a related field,” Nguyen said.
She leaned into something she values: communication. Nguyen reached out to her instructor and the program director. That conversation led to a role as a teaching assistant. In this role, she helped students understand course material.
“This really helped me by being able to explain the content I was learning to other students, especially when you explain it one way and they don’t understand, so you have to choose a different way to explain it,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen naturally has a knack for adventure, and she also knows firsthand the value gained through experience. She’s had to work hard for her achievements. “I had already dealt with being denied internships and having some interviews that just weren’t successful,” she said. Undeterred and unintimidated, she persevered.
Several months after Nguyen was hired as a TA, she sought another position as a student engineer at Boise State’s cyber laboratory. From there, the doors of cyber really began to open.
Turning opportunity into momentum
As a student engineer, Nguyen supervised and guided student interns through designing and building an escape room. The escape room had an “Office Space” theme and was a fun way to teach cybersecurity concepts and best practices. It was presented by the student engineers and interns at the 2025 Boise Information Systems Security Association conference. The success of the escape room led to its return for ISSA 2026.
“At the conference I met so many students from CWI and Boise State. They would come test out the escape room and I got to talk to them about their school and how it’s been, and about what they are doing right now, which I thought was really awesome and really rare,” Nguyen said.
Nguyen continued to attend events and connect with others in the field. Over time, she began to recognize familiar faces at different events, like the Boise Cyber Alliance “lunch and learns.” She also worked with Idaho’s Information Technology Services at a cyber discovery event and attended the Idaho Digital Government Summit.
Attending conferences is one of the best ways to network with others in a chosen field. There will most likely be speakers with the latest and most relevant information concerning the conference topic.
“I tried to get as much experience as I could outside of what I was learning in the classroom, the program really helped me in getting the opportunities I’ve had,” she said.
Nguyen’s commitment to reaching out and embracing new experiences earned her a competitive internship with Ada County as an IT security engineer. In this role, she is able to consistently apply the tools and concepts developed throughout her coursework. One of her favorite formative moments has been achieving the autonomy at her internship to work independently and conduct her own research.
Earning more than a degree
As Nguyen prepares to complete her senior year, one of the most defining moments of her college career happened. She was awarded the Department of War (DoW) — formerly known as the Department of Defense (DoD) — Cyber Service Academy scholarship. She was one of only 50 people in the country to win the award.
Not only does the scholarship help lift financial burden, but it also opens the door to a guaranteed position after graduation — a position that promises unparalleled experience and exposure in the field of cybersecurity. As part of accepting the scholarship, she was able to attend the DoW Cyber Service Academy bootcamp last summer, further cultivating essential hands-on knowledge.
One thing Nguyen hopes more students realize is how powerful a simple conversation can be. The instructors of the cybersecurity programs are extremely knowledgeable and well-connected in the cyber community. Often all it takes is reaching out and asking for help for a student to unlock the support and guidance that’s already waiting for them. When it comes to succeeding in an online environment, she also recommends staying organized and sorting through all the deadlines ahead of time.
“Be ready to have an appetite for learning on your own, because instructors will give you the tools to start out, but you need to have the drive to go deeper into topics,” Nguyen said.
A journey defined by action, not just achievement
The opportunities that shape a college experience don’t just appear — they must be pursued.
Through perseverance and dedication to higher learning, Nguyen’s family helped pave the way for her to study what she is passionate about. And by embracing the opportunities that surround her, Nguyen feels she’s honoring the sacrifices that made her path possible.
Her story is a reminder that the purpose of college extends beyond a GPA — it’s a chance to craft your future with intention and courage.
Learn more about the cyber operations and resilience program
Boise State’s online cyber operations and resilience program can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online program is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.
Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.