Edjola Hoxha: Securing the future

Photo of Edjola Hoxha seated at a computerEdjola Hoxha is an accomplished professional with a background in the Italian military and a successful career at Pfizer. Her drive to build on her knowledge and stay current with industry advancements led her to pursue a master’s degree in cybersecurity at Western Michigan University.

As a senior automation engineer, Hoxha sees the speed of technological advancement and the need for increased information security. “The industrial manufacturing sector has been going through an amazing transformation in the last decade, and cybersecurity is at the center of it all. This program is helping me gain the experience I need to make a difference in my role and continue to drive the integration of information security.”

Hoxha appreciates the fact that the program enables her to grow her technical knowledge, business and management skills, and her research and writing abilities. She says, “The most exciting experience for me has been connecting both my academic and professional worlds­­—learning and mastering new concepts and tools–and immediately applying them to my work while observing results.”

The flexibility of WMU’s program was appealing to Hoxha. “The online master’s program is a great choice for a young professional. This degree offers a variety of classes applicable to different areas of the industry. A student like me can look at their current professional path and shape their program accordingly. The classes are well-structured and the interactive coursework is based on real scenarios that companies face.”

One thing that stands out to Hoxha is the experience and guidance of the professors in the program. “Dr. Rea, Professor Rand and Professor Johnson are not only the best in their field, but also great leaders. They are ready to help and offer guidance whenever needed, and they truly value students’ opinions and ideas. They have been my mentors during this journey.”

Hoxha doesn’t hesitate to encourage others to follow her lead. “I would absolutely recommend the M.S. in Cybersecurity at WMU. I have gained invaluable experience and insight, which is making a big impact on my professional life and will continue to serve my career.”

After graduating, Hoxha plans to apply what she has learned in her current position. She also intends to work toward her Global Information Assurance Certification in addition to other industry certifications as she seeks to advance in the field of cybersecurity.

To learn more about the master’s in cybersecurity visit: wmich.edu/cybersecurity/programs/master.