Computers are important machines. People use them every day. How do we keep computers safe? Tessa D’Souza (TD) knows. She’s a cyber engineer! She talked to News-O-Matic (NOM) about how she protects computers.
NOM: What do you do for your job?
TD: I make computers safer for everyone. I write instructions for the computers. These are called programs. Then, I watch the computers follow my instructions. I check if there are any problems.
NOM: Why did you become an cyber engineer?
TD: I’ve always loved taking things apart and putting them back together! In cooking, I like following recipes. But I like making up my own recipes more. Cyber engineering has problem-solving and creativity like this.
NOM: How did you become a cyber engineer?
TD: In school, I enjoyed math, reading, and writing. I found out
use all of these. So, I learned to
. I studied computer science.
NOM: What is your favorite thing about your job?
TD: I learn new things every day. I have
who help me grow. We don’t need to do everything “right” the first time. We celebrate getting things wrong. That means we’re learning!
NOM: What is a challenging part of your job?
TD: It takes a lot of energy to problem-solve all day! Sometimes it can be hard to focus. It can be discouraging to spend a whole day fixing a problem. So, I take breaks, drink lots of water, and get sleep. That gives me energy to do my best.
NOM: Do you have advice for kids interested in this work?
TD: Find books about computers. Ask a grown-up to help you find cyber engineers. They can tell you about their jobs. Practice patience, curiosity, and investigation. Solve puzzles and read good books. Ask lots of questions and learn something new!
Updated September 1, 2023, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Hannah Marcum
