Student Reflection: A New Chapter in my Pardee Journey: Activating my Pardee Passport
Reflection by Pardee Student Richal Jindal
As a committed Pardee student, it’s embarrassing to admit that I hadn’t been to any physical events two years into my college career. Yesterday, that changed and I officially became a legitimate Pardee citizen. I attended my first Pardee event and now I’ve signed up for the next two already.
I was surprised to see how much insight and value I could gain from simply sitting and listening to accomplished, (mildly intimidating) speakers. I also left feeling grateful to have these opportunities, and feeling inspired as I saw, right in front of me, the value of a Pardee degree.
The event I attended was a part of the Global Security Series; this one was called “Cracking the Code: How do we Fortify America’s Infrastructure in a Connected World,” and was basically about cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. Jeff Greene, a BU alum and now assistant director for cyber security for the CISA (a cool government agency that defends against today’s threats), dissected the concept of cyber security and what it means for us. What I took away from this event was some great career advice, the value of updating my devices and being more secure, and knowledge about cyber security that will make me look smarter at dinner next week.
After studying foreign policy at BU, Greene went onto study law and eventually worked in the private sector, at Congress, an executive branch, and a think tank. From his wide range of experiences and career, he lent three key advice points that really stuck with me:
- Keep your common sense front and center. People tend to divorce themselves from the real world (although college is closer to the real world, it’s still largely a bubble that we live in).
- Be nice. Forging relationships is extremely important – for Greene, his job opportunities came through his kindness and relationships. People will be nice until they don’t have to; and that’s the difference between someone who is genuinely kind, and someone who is kind for the sake of it.
- Embrace imposter syndrome. It helps you prepare harder and makes you willing to say “I don’t know.” Always be ready to listen.
Whenever I see a friend’s Instagram get hacked, a part of me fears that I could be next, which then leads me into a spiral over my dependency on technology. It’s not just me though, it’s everyone. Greene addressed how everyday and in every way we rely on technology – from navigating our way around town, switching on lights, paying bills etc. He explained how the current cyber threat landscape is “not pretty” as critical infrastructure is more susceptible to threats as things become increasingly digitized. Our most important systems are dependent on technology wherein if a threat or something external trips up one line, it could cost a few days of no connectivity. Greene expressed how every time Verizon or T Mobile, or another phone service disconnects, there’s a cyber threat scare. The good news though, is that there is more transparency of information and communication between the government and private sector too. The more that companies disclose their vulnerabilities, the more opportunities to improve security.
One practical takeaway was the importance of regular device and app updates. Personally, I was always confused about the importance of updating my phone, laptop, apps, etc. and never did it until I got the “you need to update it or can’t use it” alert. However, Greene explained how updating your devices and apps installs improved security and helps you become less vulnerable to attacks. As someone who is terrible at technology and scared of getting hacked, this event helped me feel safer and more responsible for taking my security into my own hands.
This event marked the first stamp in my new Pardee Passport, igniting an ambition to fill it as enthusiastically as I would my actual passport. I’ve come to see these events as more than academic obligations—they’re gateways to growth, learning, and meaningful engagement with the real world, all while boosting my career prospects.
I left the event feeling intellectually stimulated, more secure in my digital habits, and happy with my free cookies. I hope that sharing this experience will inspire you to take advantage of these invaluable opportunities. See you at the next event!