When Alexis Piliponskiy started her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland, she knew she was interested in business and project management. Recognizing that she wanted to work for the federal government, she sought out ways to combine business and IT, discovering an interest in making an impact through cybersecurity. Now, after graduating in 2023 with a Business Management major and an ACES minor, Piliponskiy works as an IT Project Manager at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). 

When her advisors pointed her towards the ACES Minor application, Piliponskiy thought she had no chance of getting in. She had a background in business, not computer science, and did not have the same technical knowledge as those with other backgrounds. However, when she was called back for an interview, she realized that the value she brought to the table was in her desire to explore the overlap between her field of business management and the technical side of cybersecurity. “A lot of people are experienced technical project managers,” she explained. “They know about circuits and other technical parts of cyber, but my business background means I have a skillset that others don’t bring to the table.”

Once she was accepted into the ACES Minor, Piliponskiy embraced technical and non-technical ACES courses. One course that she remembers fondly is HACS408P, Project Management for IT Professionals. Learning more about the business side of cybersecurity proved to her that part of what makes a successful technical team is a person who knows how to manage partners, vendors and other key players in cyber projects.

Piliponskiy also participated in the Scholarship For Service (SFS) program, which helped to fund her undergraduate degree and gave her access to cybersecurity-related opportunities with the federal government. “Without SFS, I don’t think I would be as passionate about cyber topics,” she expressed. “SFS and ACES gave me background knowledge on what cyber attacks really mean and motivated me to commit to defending against cyber threats.” By networking at the SFS career fair, Piliponskiy was able to secure an internship with DISA, where she continued to work part-time after her internship was completed. Following graduation, she transitioned to a full-time position, leading to her current role as IT Project Manager.

Reflecting on what she would say to her younger self, Piliponskiy advises students not to be discouraged if you don’t have a particular certification or piece of cyber knowledge. “As a recent graduate, you’re not expected to know everything or be a subject matter expert,” she remarked. “The most important thing is to do your research and communicate that you are eager to learn.” Communication was especially important to Piliponskiy when thinking about her time with the ACES program. “I was an outsider in a way because I didn't know the technical language…I had to learn to talk to people with different communication styles and create a space of collaboration.” Piliponskiy’s communication skills have served her well through professional networking, learning on the job and developing mentoring relationships with colleagues and supervisors.

Alexis Piliponskiy’s academic and professional experiences demonstrate how there is more to IT than file logs and circuits. Managing the business and communicating with colleagues and partners go a long way in ensuring that projects are successful. Applying yourself to networking and developing your people skills across professional backgrounds is just as important as your technical knowledge for your future cybersecurity toolbox.

The ACES Minor Application is open until Tuesday, October 20th, 2026.