From the First Mile to a PhD
Amanda Steinberg | Last Mile Awardee
When I reflect on the path I’ve taken in cybersecurity, it’s hard not to see the fingerprints of Last Mile Education Fund woven throughout every major milestone. What began as a spark of interest during my associate’s degree has transformed into a full-blown career and academic journey—one shaped and supported by Last Mile’s unwavering belief in potential, resilience, and equity.
From Community College to Cybersecurity Calling
My cybersecurity story started in 2018 at the College of Southern Nevada, where I enrolled in the Cybersecurity–Digital Forensics associate’s program. Like many students, I balanced coursework with financial uncertainty, family responsibilities, and the pressure of being a first-generation college student on both sides of my family. That’s when Last Mile Education Fund stepped in, awarding me with funding that helped purchase the books I needed to continue studying. That support made it possible for me to stay on track and stay focused on building a future in cybersecurity. Then came the pandemic.
Finding Stability—and Strength—Through Crisis
COVID-19 tested all of us, but for my family, it brought a storm of instability. Between grocery shortages, job disruptions, and stretched resources, there were moments where I worried if I’d have to put my education on hold. Once again, Last Mile was there—not just for academic support, but as a lifeline. I was awarded emergency funding that helped me purchase groceries and other necessities during one of the most challenging periods of our lives. That support wasn’t just about money, it was a reminder that someone believed in me and my future, even when times were tough.
With their help, I completed my associate’s degree in 2020 and transferred to Western Governors University (WGU) to pursue a Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. While there, I earned multiple scholarships, joined the National Society of Leadership and Success, and graduated in 2022 with a clear mission: to keep pushing forward.
A woman with a plan: Amanda gets Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance | WGU Class of 2022
Breaking Through: Recognition, Representation, and RSA
In late 2022, an opportunity came that changed everything. I entered the Microsoft Security Immersion Program’s Shadow Hunter Competition, hosted by Last Mile. To my astonishment—and deep gratitude—I won. The award wasn’t just a title; it came with a fully paid trip to San Francisco to attend the RSA Conference, where I received an award on stage from Microsoft’s CISO. That moment was surreal. For someone who had saved up every paycheck from their very first tech job to buy a laptop and take a chance on a cybersecurity career, suddenly being recognized on a stage in front of industry leaders felt like stepping into a dream.
The RSA experience was more than a trip, it was a catalyst. I connected with mentors and professionals who reinforced that there’s space in cybersecurity for driven, determined individuals from all walks of life. I left inspired, empowered, and more committed than ever to giving back.
Since then, I’ve completed two master’s degrees — an MBA in IT Management and a Master’s in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance — while earning multiple scholarships, excellence awards, and leadership recognitions along the way. I now work full-time as an Information Security and Compliance Analyst, managing PCI compliance, risk management, and security auditing. On weekends, I’m a professor at Nevada State College, helping the next generation of cybersecurity students earn their CompTIA certifications and find their footing, just like I once did.
Pushing forward in 2023: MBA in IT Management and a Master’s in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
A PhD, a Mission, and a Movement
And I didn’t stop there. I’m now pursuing my PhD in Cybersecurity at National University, specializing in Governance, Risk, and Compliance, while proudly maintaining a 3.93 GPA. I’ve joined several national honor societies, mentor students through the Nevada Promise Program, and serve as a Global Ambassador for the WomenTech Network. I also volunteer with Girls Who Code, Women in Cloud, and several other organizations focused on equity and representation in tech.
And yet—through all the degrees, accolades, and milestones—I’ve still been using that same laptop I bought in 2018 with the first few paychecks from my entry into tech.
That’s why I’ve once again turned to Last Mile Education Fund, applying for support to purchase a new laptop. Not as a handout, but as a bridge to continue the work, education, and mentorship I’ve built my life around. Technology is our most critical tool in cybersecurity, and having reliable, current hardware will help me continue researching, teaching, and innovating without limits.
To say that Last Mile has been fundamental in my journey is an understatement. They’ve shown up at every crucial point—not just financially, but emotionally and symbolically. They’ve reminded me that students from underrepresented backgrounds deserve to finish their degrees, deserve to thrive, and deserve to be seen.
They believed in me when I was just beginning. They supported me when times were hard. And they celebrated me when I stood on that RSA stage. Now, as a PhD student, cybersecurity professional, educator, and mentor, I carry their legacy forward—by helping others cross their own finish lines.
Thank you, Last Mile, for investing in me and thousands of others like me. You didn’t just help me survive the journey—you helped me conquer it.
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