Hello.

Hi, my name is Joey Russell. I am a student at CBU. As a kid, I was always interested in things I did not understand—fascinated by MythBusters and eager to create my own gadgets like Batman. I soon learned that building these things costs money, so I got a job at a machine shop and used that money to build many projects. One area that particularly intrigued me, even though I had little understanding of it, was penetration testing. I became hooked after reading about hacks and scams from around the world; seeing how these hackers could operate like ghosts drove me to explore this unknown realm. This led me down a dark path: I first learned Kali Linux and used Hack The Box to experience the rush of infiltrating systems, which pushed me to delve even deeper into computer science.

Then came a crossroads—whether to enter trades or pursue college. I applied to CBU, the only place I applied because I lacked confidence. Yet, I soon learned that being humble and not overly prideful plays very well in a team setting—a lesson I have embraced during my three years at college. I have picked up many skills, not only through school, but also by working on projects and learning on my own. My personal projects have grown by leaps and bounds over time.