`$whoami` #### I'm Arion. I find enjoyment in overcoming challenges, whether it's pushing through a tough workout, leveling up in a video game, or tackling cybersecurity challenges by diving head first. When I first started working in 2017, I delivered pizzas. Fast forward to the present, I work as an Information Security Analyst. If you would’ve told me 5 years ago that today I’ll be working to protect organizations from varied cyber threats, I would've laughed and said nah, not me. Just looking at a command line terminal gave me anxiety. I was a delivery driver for a few months, but knew I wanted more. If there weren't any outstanding tasks, I spent every second of free time in the restaurant reading and trying to comprehend everything I could from one of those [five-pound CompTIA A+ certification books](https://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Certification-Guide-220-1001-220-1002/dp/1260454037/ref=asc_df_1260454037/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343276535408&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7616429839382978380&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9052753&hvtargid=pla-639130449993&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=74543737372&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=343276535408&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7616429839382978380&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9052753&hvtargid=pla-639130449993) that I picked up. When I was on the road, I was listening to [Professor Messer](https://www.youtube.com/@professormesser) and [Mike Meyers](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS7k0eFE5gd8oV6wHZ__1Nfl0_gsKzBII) explain how RAM worked, Ethernet standards, and everything in between. I knew I wanted to work in IT but didn't really know where to start. From what I heard on YouTube and saw on Reddit, A+ seemed like a good entry point. After a few months of study, I sat both parts of the exam in the same sitting and passed. I started applying to pretty much anything that I saw considered "entry level". Several weeks later I got an interview at Geek Squad and started shortly after. I learned a lot there. Communication, how to not take irate customer interactions personally, a solid foundation in troubleshooting and a little about a lot of technologies. I figured college would be good for eventual career growth, so I enrolled at a community college for IT. Went from dealing with customers and performing triage on consumer electronics 8 hours a day to going home and doing homework or attending night class, depending on the day. After some time, I was looking for something that put me in a better financial position so I pivoted over to the mobile repair field for a few months. I still felt like I wanted more. Networking got me my next job, and I moved into enterprise IT. Who'da thunk that networking would help with getting a job? *(insert sarcasm here)* Working for an MSP (Managed Service Provider) can be stressful, but man you learn a LOT. I looked forward to spending evenings after getting off work building out the home lab, studying, or practicing in a cyber range. It's what I love. <br> I like sleeping in late on weekends, spending free time on cyber ranges like [TryHackMe](https://tryhackme.com/) and [Blue Team Labs Online](https://blueteamlabs.online/), and exploring new tools and technologies in my [[home lab]]. I prefer to learn by diving head first into something and absorbing as much as I can. Fitness and gaming have been a part of my life for quite some time. [CrossFit](https://www.crossfit.com/what-is-crossfit/) is my go-to for a good workout, although I am in an off-phase currently. I enjoy gaming. I'm particularly a fan of first-person shooters, role-playing games, open-world survival, and survival-craft genres. It's _typically_ a way for me to unwind and destress. ![[Pasted image 20230701165455.png]] >[!info] **Fun Fact:** I held the #1 spot in the world in Hardpoint on Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare for a brief time. My first semester in college was actually in graphic design before I decided to switch to IT. Whether it's trying my hand at logo design, creating social media graphics, or just tinkering around in Photoshop, I always enjoy the creative outlet of making something visually appealing. I primarily draw inspiration from minimalistic design philosophy and really admire the work of companies like Apple, who just _win_ when it comes to beauty in simplicity. I've also completed a few [GORUCK events](https://www.goruckevents.com/) and really believe in the [GORUCK](https://www.goruck.com/pages/about-goruck) brand. These military-style challenges are intense and humbling, but also very rewarding. #### Dayton Memorial Day Tough ![[Pasted image 20230701165834.png]] <br> #### Patch earned for each event completed ![[Pasted image 20230701165846.png]] --- Thanks for stopping by and hopefully you find the content here insightful and helpful! If you have any questions or just want to say hey, feel free to shoot me a DM on Discord @aehri or on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/arion-martin/).