When Belief Becomes Momentum
by Lilyan Toma, Last Mile Alumna
My name is Lilyan Toma. I am a Computer Science graduate from Wayne State University, a current Security Analyst Co-op at Dauch Corporation, and an incoming LEAP Software Engineer at Fidelity Investments.
A few years ago, I never would have introduced myself that way.
I was a student trying to understand what I was capable of and whether all the work I was putting in would eventually lead somewhere. Today, I can look back and see how every challenge, opportunity, and person who believed in me helped shape where I am now.
When I first applied for a Last Mile award, I was balancing more than I thought I could handle.
I was carrying 17 credit hours at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, working a job, and attending the Apple Developer Academy four hours a day, five days a week. Most days felt like a loop: classes, work, studying, repeat. I was doing everything I could to build a future for myself. While it was exhausting, it was also a period that taught me resilience, discipline, and just how much I was capable of accomplishing.
Cybersecurity found me before I fully found it.
At that point in my life, I was still figuring things out. The more I learned, the more I fell in love with cybersecurity. It required critical thinking, patience, curiosity, and a willingness to keep learning. No two days looked the same. I quickly realized it was not just something I enjoyed studying; it was something I could see myself building a career around.
One of the most important people in that journey was my manager at Ford Motor Company. He saw potential in me before I fully saw it in myself and helped introduce me to the world of cybersecurity. His belief changed how I viewed my future and gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities that once felt out of reach.
At a time when I was working hard and trying to create opportunities for myself, Last Mile recognized that effort and chose to invest in my future. That type of support did not just help me in the moment, it gave me momentum. It helped me move forward with confidence, especially during a time when I needed that reassurance the most.
As I continued through school and into my professional career, I found myself surrounded by mentors, managers, friends, and organizations, all of whom recognized my potential. Their support helped me realize that success is rarely an individual achievement. Behind every accomplishment is a community of people who offered guidance, encouragement, and belief when it mattered most.
Today, I work as a Security Analyst Co-op at Dauch Corporation, where I investigate security events, analyze threats, and continue learning something new each day. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Every challenge reinforces why I chose this path and deepens my passion for growing in this field.
This August, I will begin a new chapter as a LEAP Software Engineer at Fidelity Investments. I am excited to continue growing in a world where software development and cybersecurity meet as I move forward in my career.
When I think about my journey, I do not think about the long nights or the challenges first. I think about the people. I think about the mentors who encouraged me. I think about the organizations that invested in students and created opportunities to keep us moving forward.
Those people helped shape the person I am today.
To any student reading this who feels overwhelmed or unsure of what comes next, know that you do not need to have everything figured out. Focus on learning, stay curious, and keep showing up for yourself. Opportunities often appear when you least expect them, and the effort you put in today has a way of opening doors tomorrow.
I am incredibly grateful for the support I received from Last Mile and for everyone who has been part of my journey so far. Their belief in me helped me believe in myself, and I hope I can continue to do the same for the people in my life today and everyone I have yet to meet.