The Women of HPE Global Security – Wendy Lewis

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Wendy Lewis is a Cyber Security Analyst as part of the Global Security team at HPE. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Wendy now lives in Houston, Texas, USA.

Wendy, please tell us about your career so far:

I completed my BSc in Management Studies - Accounting at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica. In 2018, I was introduced to Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. This was an opportunity that came at a time in my accounting career when I was feeling stagnant and financially stifled. I was hesitant to make the move to the USA, with no family except for my best friend. I eventually took that leap, a leap that only my faith in God and a hunger for a better life could have made me take.

I graduated in 2020 with an MSc in Computer Information Systems. This was no easy path I had chosen - my first day at university was also only my second day in Texas! Transitioning from Accounting to Computer felt like jumping hurdle after hurdle, from mind-boggling courses like Programming Languages and Computer Architecture to late-night assignments involving app/website building, not to mention figuring out how to pay my tuition!

Computer Technology is a huge field and at the time of acceptance into university, honestly, I wasn’t sure which area I would specialize in. But, in the summer of 2019, what looked like a setback became my setup.  After sending out countless resumes, unfortunately I did not secure an internship that year. Several reasons held me back, ranging from being a non-US Resident to not having a mode of transportation to get to and from work, etc. Nonetheless, my resilience led to my search for an on-campus job which resulted in a stop at the Cyber Security Center on campus. That day I came out not with a job, but with:

1. The contact information for a research professor.
2. A new course code to register for as an elective in Fall.
3. An email containing Cyber Security training materials and textbooks.

Here begins my Cyber Security journey and a newfound passion. After delving into this area of study and focusing on one field, I entered what I dub ‘divine alignment’.

Summer of 2020, I secured an internship at HPE, which fuelled my curiosity even more. I graduated that same summer and accepted an offer for a full-time role as a PREP employee. I have rotated through the Network Security Review team and the Engineering & Development team. Currently, I am in my third rotation on the Operations Engineering Infrastructure and Support (OEIS) team.

This journey has caused me to embrace ambiguity, knowing that once I tackle things with an open mindset and a willingness to learn, I will come out better than I went in. I am still running the race and still learning as I go.

What are your proudest achievements from your career so far with HPE?

In March 2022 I hosted the International Women’s Day Session – ‘Breaking the Bias, Experiences of Women of Color’. Public speaking was one of my greatest fears and that moment when I was able to face my fear, host a successful panel discussion on a topic so dear to my heart, presenting before over 50 Global HPE members, was my most exhilarating moment at HPE. Courage over comfort at its best!

What would you say to young women interested in a career in security? What have you learned and would like them to know?

Never settle for what anything looks like on the surface, develop a desire to go deeper. Pay close attention to the opportunities and alignment that come into your life, even though they might not show up as opportunities, look again. It’s never too late to start pursuing your goals. And never let anyone tell you that you can’t, don’t let them count you out!

What have been barriers in your career that you have had to face and how did you overcome them?

I started my career in tech ‘late’ – due to a lack of guidance, technology advancement in my home country, and ignorance of the field. I struggled a bit in the first year of studying Computer Technology. It was daunting being in a class where most of my peers knew the terminologies and concepts and I was clueless.

My ignorance was of course a major barrier but even harder was that it seemed time was just flying by! Both the steep learning curve and the pace of the course made it extremely challenging.

To keep up in classes meant delayed gratification, it meant toiling in the night while others slept, it meant watching YouTube videos and doing research instead of watching my favorite cartoons/TV shows. To overcome the barrier of ignorance I had to make sacrifices.

If you could speak with your younger self today, what advice would you give?

Dream big and dare to pursue them aggressively. Do not limit your goals to present circumstances, take a risk or a leap of faith. It’s okay to fall, as long as you get back up! Embrace all of you there is, there is no rule that says you’re only allowed to wear one hat, be versatile and curious and pray harder.

What is your advice for getting the most out of life?

Be humble, be kind, challenge your comfort, and don’t be afraid to fail – failure is never final!